My own Roadkill adventure! Help me change an alternator?

Hi hive,

I'm driving my beater Cobalt back from NY state back to FL, after it was stranded in Canada during Covid. Unfortunately, it died unexpectedly while I was passing by Columbia SC. I'm 99% sure it's the alternator, as it was running strong all day, then intermittently cut in and out for a couple minutes before it dies altogether. Battery won't even click the solenoid. The towing guys was a legend, he towed it to an Autozone, waited 20 minutes while I bought an alternator and tools, and then drove me to a hotel I booked while I waited.

Anyway, I plan to change the alternator in the morning once it's light, and then get going. I would appreciate help if anyone would care to help out, just in case I'm missing something obvious. (It might be a loose connection but to my mind that doesn't explain why the battery is dead, and the interior lights etc all still work so it's not a loose battery terminal.) I'm staying at the Fairfield on the corner of I77 and Two Notch Road. Beers will be on me. If you want to lend a hand, please call or text me: Nine zero 4 four too 9 six 6 fifty-five.

I would if I were not in Ohio.  For anyone else, I'm just here to  vouch that Edward is a good guy.  He ran a Volvo 850R at The Challenge in the first year of the Aristocrats. He's a fun guy with an Australian accent.

In Florida, so I can't help.  Just a reminder though, if the battery was completely drained you might kill the new alternator if you try to recharge it completely while driving.

Sorry I'm too far as I love a little Saturday morning adventure.  

At least looking here it doesn't look to bad. 

I'm a couple of hours away. Tied up first thing in the morning but if you run into problems changing it give me a shout. I could probably be there by noon or so. Toym a n zero 1 five four at the googles mail dot com. No spaces and the numbers are all numbers 

Or the PM system goes to that same address.

Sent you a PM.

Edit: Never mind.

You also might PM strike zero. He's in that area just north of Columbia. He is on the On the Road Assist List if you need a contact.

Thanks so much guys. Really appreciate the responses. I got a text from Strike Zero already. You guys are the best!

Back on the road yet?

edwardh80 is back on the road. I'll let him fill everyone in on the shenanigans.

Well, thanks to Strike_Zero, I got rolling again at 2:30pm, and made it back home about 7:30pm.

SZ showed up at the hotel at about 8, and we set about changing the alternator. Got a few quizzical looks , but had it back together about 10:30. The Cobalt serpentine belt tensioner is in a dog of a tight spot, but we got it eventually. Jump started, and SZ was about to head off when it died again. Cr@p.

After scratching our heads a bit, SZ started pulling at wiring harnesses while it was running, and lo and behold it died again. It was eventually traced to a bad earth, the wire ends in that bunch corroded so bad they got brittle and all 5 just snapped off at one point. It is a Canadian vehicle so the salt up there has done a number on the wiring  time to get rid of it methinks. We jury rigged a new set of earth wires and splinted them against the AC tubing so they wouldn't flex and break yet again, as they were so brittle. Once we were satisfied I headed off and the old girl didn't miss a beat all the way home.

My sincere thanks to those who contributed and especially to Strike_Zero, who have up a significant portion of his day to help a stranger. Without his help I'd still be stuck. The guy is a champ.

BTW, while I have y'all's attention, anyone interested in a vehicle I have for sale? 

LOL cool deal.  Glad you got home safe.