Actually, the alternator replacement on a 97 is relatively easy. You remove
the right front wheel and the splash guards. You remove the belt, the
cables, and then you drop the alternator down and out from the bottom.

"MR" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 05:18:16 GMT, Blah blah > wrote:
>
>>In article >,
says...
>>> Do i need a new generator? If so, are they easy to install? I also
>>> recently installed a new serpentine belt,
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Sounds very likely. Some parts places will check it at no charge. There
>>are core exchanges. Make sure you get one with a lifetime warranty.
>>Charge your battery up prior to running your car with a new alt. Low or
>>bad batteries will work alternators hard.
>
> Good advice! I'll second that on a bad alt. killing a battery or vice
> versa. Also, when I changed out the alt. on my 97 sl1, it was a very
> tedious job since the power steering pump had to be removed and was
> very difficult to reach the back connections on the alt. with one
> hand, since I had no lift available and had to use jacks etc. But, it
> was cheaper for me to do it myself vs. the $400 Saturn dealer quoted.
> MR