Which way to go? "alternator"

Green Machine

Green Machine

Dedicated LVC Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
1,001
Reaction score
3
Location
St. Paul
My alternator is bad now. ( red battery light on dash, New battery in car)...should i get a used Gen II alt, or a used Gen 1 alt or take my bad Gen 1 in to get rebuilt? ive heard they dont like to be rebuilt.

Anyone around the metro area have a used alternator for sale? im stuck here.

I realize a new alt would be the way to go,, but the finances are not there for that, right now. Thx in advance.
 
Green Machine said:
My alternator is bad now. ( red battery light on dash, New battery in car)...should i get a used Gen II alt, or a used Gen 1 alt or take my bad Gen 1 in to get rebuilt? ive heard they dont like to be rebuilt.

Anyone around the metro area have a used alternator for sale? im stuck here.

I realize a new alt would be the way to go,, but the finances are not there for that, right now. Thx in advance.
Click to expand...

Just check Car-parts.com for a used one closest to you. 35 bucks i bet.
 
used OEM if youre tight on funds. i would rather run a 100k mile original alt than a new reman POS from a parts house.
 
I have a little under 2 years on my dbelectrical ($100 shipped new/ebay) alt and I have no complaints. Can't beat them for the price.

I'd go that route or a low mile used gen2 unit.
 
I e mailed you back. I got my factory one rebuilt for $89 (?) And it's still working other wise I just have the 97 that's still good. My other two need to be rebuilt. Give me a call after 3 today.
 
Markviiiedrea said:
I e mailed you back. I got my factory one rebuilt for $89 (?) And it's still working other wise I just have the 97 that's still good. My other two need to be rebuilt. Give me a call after 3 today.
Click to expand...

This is the route I'd take, especially if finances are an issue. I should have went with one myself but at the time, I had no time lol. I went with one from AZ and it lasted for 2 weeks and then went and swapped it for another in the parking lot and it has been doing good now for over two years. If I ever see the red light again, I know what parking lot to go find and luckily, AZ stores are on almost every corner. I'd prefer a Gen 2 Motorcraft though, even if it was used. 10 extra amps in them too, I believe.
 
Factory is the way to go. I went and replaced an alternator in a mark with a rebuilt one from Napa, I had to go back 3 times in one day till I got one to work.
 
Markviiiedrea said:
Factory is the way to go. I went and replaced an alternator in a mark with a rebuilt one from Napa, I had to go back 3 times in one day till I got one to work.
Click to expand...

Sounds about right. O'Reilly's sells a true Motorcraft reman but they usually have to order them and they aren't very cheap. Only comes with a one year warranty too but their other store reman alternators that have the name "Ultima" suck. I went through three of those in no time before getting them to order a real Motorcraft rebuilt alt but that car ended up exploding.

BTW, I love the pic you took of your car with the bridge background all lit up.
 
Markviiiedrea said:
Factory is the way to go. I went and replaced an alternator in a mark with a rebuilt one from Napa, I had to go back 3 times in one day till I got one to work.
Click to expand...

i ran into the same damn problem! i put a new alt from NAPA (CRAPA :p ) and a week later it went out. Returned it got a new one, same thing. put a new one in it was junk too. Napa wouldnt return it they told me something els was wrong. i told them to invest in a better company to get parts from and told them they would never receive my business again. went to pick a part, got a good used one, no problems what so ever.
 
87TTOPGT420 said:
I go with a local rebuilder never had a issue ever...Problem with new or reman parts store alternators they use inferior parts
Click to expand...

That's what I do now with my starters and alternators now $90-120 per rebuild and has the same warenty (Just last longer) Just getting harder to find local shops to it.


NoLimit95: Thank You! Shes Like a southern girl, better looking with the lights off! that was actually one of the last pictures we took that night. i almost keept driving. Hopefully this winter I can get the hood and bumper resprayed to keep me happy for a few more years.
 
sbcaprice305 said:
i have a little under 2 years on my dbelectrical ($100 shipped new/ebay) alt and i have no complaints. Can't beat them for the price.

I'd go that route or a low mile used gen2 unit.
Click to expand...
x2.
 
Well, i spent the extra, and got what i think is the best alternator for the money. I took it to Generator Specialty in St Paul and got a free estimate before work was started.
They found it was a bad regulator, and with 160K on the clock, im sure it wouldnt be long before the brushes and bearings would be giving up the ghost, so i had them install new bearings and brushes along with the new regulator. they clean up nice and have new pigtails available for like 6 bucks too.
they said it would be ready by 3 today. ill post an update on the results once i get it installed. thx guys.
 
Picked up the rebuilt alternator from the rebuild shop. installed it, and it works like a charm. the guy said the rear bearing was shot along with the regulator which he said was rare because the regulators rarely go bad.

they installed new everything, brushes all new bearings and regulator. blasted and painted it and the plastic on back looks brand new. i asked him if he checked for leakage and he said yes to that, and all load tests too. Im happy with the job and hope it lasts a long time.

Its nice and shiny like brand new and works great. I had it rebuilt at Generator Specialty in St Paul. Cost was $110.00 tax included, and it was done in 4 hrs. Im a happy customer.:wrench
 
meh. i have killed several regulators in my car. only one diode plate, but quite a few regulators.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 122 (members: 2, guests: 120)
Back
Top