New battery but battery light still on

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

 

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.

 

Good advice! I'll second that on a bad alt. killing a battery or vice

In reality, a bad alt will only kill a weak battery and vice versa. If the
battery/alt is in good shape, it won't die from working hard - that is, after
all, what they're supposed to do