I have a 92 SE. Awhile ago my battery gauge started dropping down to close to the red whenever i would break. The more i had on (air and headlights) the lower it would drop. I replaced the battery and put on a new serpintine belt. Neither of these fixed the problem and lately the oil gauge has also started dropping when i would break. Any suggestions? Please tell me this isn't a serious problem...

Has the alternator been tested?

nope not yet. was heading in for an oil change tomorrow and someone else had suggsted checking that. expensive fix if that is what it is?

The alternator os easy replace, but costs $100 or so bux.

something i should try myself? Have don't have a great mechanical knowledge.

Very easy yourself. Remove the belt, remove a couple botls, and a wire and a connector.

Stay away from Autozone alternators. Lean towards NAPA if you're going local.

Make sure to disconnect the battery before replacing the alternator.

In support of Auto Zone, though, I've chosen not to buy their standard rebuilt alternators, but I have bought their more expensive duralast gold alternators (part #DLG1380-6-7) for my '92 SSE supercharged and '93 SSEi, and haven't had a problem with either one. They have lifetime warranties and claim to have been redesigned to tolerate the heat better and have 100% new parts. They cost around $130 if I remember correctly.

I would strongly recommend the AC delco 140 amp with a lifetime warrenty from Advance, I have it in my car, and so do a few others

don't these cars have 160 amp alternator. That what my ac delco alternator says and paper work

I gaurantee you didn't get a 160 from the factory. I have a 160 on my SSEi now, but it came with a 125 from the factory. My SLE came with a 140, which is not common.

MOST SE'* shipped with a 105.