Hi everyone I just registered on the site after discovering (FINALLY) a resource on the net for Bonnevilles. I own a 93 SSEi thats been about a year in disrepair (finally got insurance and a job for THAT a month ago) and my knowledge of cars is gonna be what problems my bonneville has so I am learning as it continues to fall apart. Anywho on to my question:
I put in a new battery a month ago and about a week ago my car stopped starting, with that typical clicking noise when the ignition is turned. I believe it is my alternator because of the age of the battery and was wondering if u all think Im right. About a year ago when I got the car I had the same problem but a friend put in a used alternator and it began to work again, however the alternator is dated from 92, hence why I think thats the problem. If there is anything else that u guys might think it may be besides the alternator can u please let me know before I go spending what little money I have on the wrong stuff.

Get the battery charged back up either with a charger (preferred) or another vehicle and booster cables. Does the car start? Does it run for a period of time, then die again?

If that happens, it'* almost certainly your alternator. It'* rare to have one that old last that long.

What'* your location? We may have some local help for you.

That could be the starter, too! Sometimes the starter goes bad and draws too much current off the battery, killing it. Or it could be the alternator. Did the battery light ever come on?

Try jump starting the car, drive it for a while (15 mins or so) with the lights on, then measure the voltage, and tell us what you get.

yeah forgot to mention that about the cables, I jumped it and used a battery charger, both times it died within minutes of being disconnected from the charger and the jumper cables. My only other thought was that it could have been the starter but the one in there from the previous owner was put in at a GM shop only a couple years ago. In a somewhat related topic my power steering failed the a few hours before the car stopped starting altogether, and there isnt any visible leak anywhere around, under, of inside the hood of the bonneville. But right now I just want to get it good enough condition to simply drive it down to a shop

My location would be arvada, Colorado and any kind of help would be greatly appreciated.

Oh OK, that sounds like a bad alternator.

Now onto that alternator, I got a place across the street from where I live that will sell me one for $200 (which is alot for a poor man such as myself). Anybody know any good places that might not be as expensive as that?

Autozone, Napa, Advance, O'Reilly, ...

Holy cow, that'* spendy for a normal Alternator. That'* how much I spent for my DP 160 amp with improved rear bearing design.

Go to one of the places mentioned.

$200???!!! Is that for one that'* installed, with a lifetime warranty, and a set of Ginsu Knives thrown in???!!! I'm sure if you go to ANOTHER one of your local auto parts stores you can find a less expensive alternator for around $100 or Less!!!

Also, it'* a relatively painless operation to remove and replace it yourself. Most of the members here(including myself) have lots of experience in replacing their alternators.

Aint that the truth! Hopefully on my last one now. Don't expect the cheapest alternator you can find to provide the juice for more than a year or two. If you have a $200 budget, go to www.domesticperformance.com and get a better one.