Well I heard whining under my hood coming home from work today. I get home and pop the hood hoping to find a supercharger that must of magically appeared but no the sound is from the alternator Looks like its on its last legs. So my question is what are you recommendations for a replacement alternator? Where should I get it from and what kind should I get? Should I just go for the Pep Boys remanufactured ones? I am kind of tight on cash and I am praying the alternator will last until the weekend when I can get some cash so I can't be going after any really expensive ones. I notice we have one wire alternators and it doesn't look too hard of a job. A little tighter area than when I did my Toyos one.

 

Some people will tell you to get a direct replacement Delco alternator since they last longer. My opinion is that since none of them last very long anyway, get a lifetime warranty one from a place like Autozone. The last one I got from them has lasted a couple of years now, and if/when it does go, I just bring it back, they look up my receipt with my phone number, and I get a new one. Most of them will be reman, but the last one I got was completely new.

 

You're gonna be paying at least $100 for one, so good luck. I got mine from Valencia Chevrolet, our meeting place.

 

ive gone through a couple now. I got the lifetime warranty one from Kragen. IM glad i did , or id be out a hundred and change everytime, now its jsut pop the old one off, take it in, walk out with a new one (in a box no less!).

 

Well I am waiting on info from a friend about a place that can rebuild mine. I will keep you guys posted. Until then at least it sounds like there is a supercharger under the hood

 

Stay away from Pep Boys alternators!

My opinion is go with an AC Delco. Their rebuilds use brand new components in a used case. Since the case is used they have to sell them as rebuilt, but you're actually getting a new alt.

Pep Boys, Kragen, etc... don't do that. They just replace the worn components, clean them up and sell them.

It is true though that our cars like to eat alts. regardless of who makes or rebuilds them.

Where are you located? I buy all my AC Delco parts from an AC Delco wholesaler in Van Nuys. They have great prices.

 

I got a rebuilt one from either Kragen or Autozone....three years ago. It's still going good. I guess I was lucky though, maybe there was a core that needed all the components and I was lucky enough to get that one. Its an easy remove and install, I did mine in a dark parking lot in about 15 minute, easiest repairs ever (at least on my serpintine belt setup) I think our cars like to eat up everything...tranny mounts, door hinges, window motors, seat bolsters, air dams, tires (especially rears ones). lol oh and dont forget transmissions, of which Don is rebuilding for me right now
Just replace it as soon as you can, my supercharger was only there for a day, I went to the movies, started my car and was also met with the supercharger under the hood noise, I drove to Cal Poly the next day and on the way back around Alhambra my lights dimmed and the car was running on just the battery, then it went out and I was screwed, you dont want that if you are going to be driving. Anyway good luck.

 

The latest Autozoo 'Gold series' or whatever rebuilt alternators are ALL NEW inside, they even put a brand new pulley on it. Go figure. The only thing left is the case itself. Little pricey of course.

 

I've got a kragen "surestart" one with a 3 year warranty. I've gone through two this year and the warranty restarts once they replace one, so I figure it'll last forever My kragen batteries seem to die just as often.

Oh yeah my girlfriend timing me changing it out, 3 minutes flat :P

 

Well thanks to Branden I was able to get a really good alternator for $60. I installed it and Branden adjusted how my car shifts and the car runs great now. Too bad I lost my supercharger sound lol