We need to replace the alternator . we are told that it is one of two. how do you find the right one

Im assuming the alternator your replacing is on a v6 statesman.
1.disconnect battery
2.remove engine cover
3.remove drive belt
.remove 10mm bolt that holds bracket from eng to alternator
4.remove all wiring from the rear of alternator.
5.remove the 2 bolts that holds the alternator to engine.
6.wiggle alternator and it will slip out.;
7.refit new alternator in these steps but reversed.
8.once up and running again please make sure you check the system charge rate..

That is a tough one. Alternators do not overcharge because the alternator is bad. They overcharge because the alternator CONTROLS are having problems. The charging system in your 2005 Chrysler 300 is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Your vehicle needs to be diagnosed by someone who understands how this system works.

Sorry about the $129....I would raise a BIG fuss about that if they told you the alternator needed to be replaced. Apparently, they do not understand how your system works. (It is very difficult to give a correct diagnosis if you do not know how the system works in the first place.)

Yeh under the air bag is the clock spring, just replace that and you will be ok.

The voltage regulator is built into the Alternator. Take out the Alternator and have it
tested at your local Auto Parts store (they all do it free). This will tell you if the Alternator
is your problem or if you need to check elsewhere.

A bad alternator will kill a battery. It sounds like you need to clean the battery cable connectors and replace the bolts.

I just got my alternator replaced yesterday 6/29/10. I paid $216 for the alternator from autozone and $191 for 2.5 hours of labor. If I would have replaced the alternator with the factory replacement the alternator would have costed about a $100 more. I is a complicated job. The mechanic that replaced my alternator said the he had to remove the right wheel and the right wheel axle in order to have enough room the remove the alternator. The most eye opening thing my mechanic told me was he think it is a design flaw that the alternator is so close to the catalytic converter which causes the alternator to get extremely hot. Under those conditions in time that will shorten the life of the alternator.

Sound to me like some wires were either disturbed or crossed and are shorting out maybe when you replaced the alternator?Maybe have a look at the alternator connections again and make sure everything is correct and tight and that the new alternator is the right one for your car.Other than that its a case of tracing the wires from the alternator to the fusebox to find whats blowing your fuse.

low voltage pulling by what your saying it sounds like your alternator is about to give up seeing that it cant disperse elec. to other units so its draining off the battery

change out the voltage regulator they didnt change your alternator they just rebuilt it or did nothing it sounds like

voltage regulator = adjusts the voltage
some are built on the alternator and is replaced at once with new alternator
others look like a little fin like an amp usually black in color this you will see bolted on the fender right or left this is a voltage regulator

somtimes you get a bad alternator in box when it can be new this is a chance chance cause now most parts are remand.
i still believe its your alternator you either of several things
got ripped off
got a bad alternator in replacement or
you got a bad voltage regulator by itself
looks like this

You'll have to rock the alternator back and forth to get the bushing that the lower bolt goes through to slide back enough for the alternator to slide out.

Possibly.
Some do need a square drive to apply pressure to the idler. But why should you need to pay for one?

Have you asked what's up with the alternator? often it's just the regulator that needs replacing - or the brushes. See HERE for examples. Too many are scrapped just for want of these.

If they haven't got the tools, take it somewhere that does know what they're doing (and buy a belt online while you're at it).

Thanks for using Fixya!