Replacing the alternator?

Question

I was driving down the highway and it was pouring rain, so I was using my headlights and windshield wipers, but not my air conditioner. A little bit later once I was out of the rain, I noticed that the battery warning light was on (there was no where to exit the highway so I kept on driving) as I drove the warning lights slowly turned on (battery, ABS, brake, etc) finally my stereo kept on cutting out so I shut it off to save energy. Then a little ways down the road my car just started dying, and I couldn't accelerate anymore so I pulled off onto the shoulder and long story short, I had it towed to my house.

this was all over a period of about an hour and a half or so

my question is do you think that the alternator is the problem and also if I have the alternator replaced approximately how much does it cost, and whatever other useful info you can offer up would be appreciated!

My car is a 1996 Chevy Cavalier

Thanks!

Answer 1

I had a simmilar issue with my truck, I doubt its your alternator those are usually pretty bullet proof but not compleatly.  You probably have a wire that freyed or got loose thats shorting out the system ie draining the bat.  I would take the alt off and take it to an auto shop and have it tested. it isnt TOO hard to do it yourself, and its free to test the alt.  after that its alot more complicated trying to find the short, if you are not mechanicaly/electrically incline I would ask for further help.  If you are then you can test the wires comming off the alt, and inbetween the different hardware of the car. hope this helps