Re: alternator change
Yeah, if your car turns over, that means that your alternator's charging your battery, which would mean that the alternator's doing its job and isn't malfunctioning. Use a voltmeter and test the battery with the ignition off and ensure it's above 12volts (which it should be if the car's turning over). Afterwards, start the car and then test the battery again. If it's running at a lesser voltage than when the car was off, it's your alternator. When running, the battery should stay at around 13v, if I remember correctly.
If it is around 13v, but your voltage reading was low with the ignition off, it's probably just the battery. Since your lights are dimming and whatnot, I'm suspecting a short or some sort of grounding issue. That would cause dimming of your headlights and also cause the PCM to get a little upset, resulting in your rough idle and whatnot.
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2001 PT Turbo - In the process of a major overhaul.. :]
2006 Cobalt SS/SC - Stage 2, 3" Exhaust, Meth and soon to come: Zex 75-shot :]
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