Can I buy a used alternator ?
Yes, you can either use ebay or use the site I listed below to search for one pulled from your specific make and model, via a national junk yard database. I have had a lot of luck resourcing parts from local junk yards through there.
Used alternators vs. new alternators?
Well you said NEW and I think that would be cost prohibitive on the year vehicle your talking about. If you meant "rebuilt" that is going to be a much more manageable cost. Advice on rebuilt electrical parts- most rebuilders use used alternators and merely clean/paint and categorize them before sending them to the autoparts store. One advantage of a rebuilt unit is the warrantee is much better than a straight used one. The disadvantage of rebuilt units is very poor quality and reliability. I worked at a major autoparts chain and we began to test all our rebuilt electrical before giving to the customer. Customers repeatedly brought back bad units that came right off the shelf so we had to start testing them before we gave them to customers! (many "rebuilts" tested bad right off the shelf!) Save money- buy a used alternator (from an autowrecker) it saves money and the enviroment by recycling.
Buying a used Alternator ok to use?
It's riskier but that's why it is cheaper ( most times ) compared to buying a rebuilt. The downside to buying a used one is very limited warranty, if any and if it turns out to be a bad alternator as well, you're doing the job ( or paying to have it done ) twice.
How much would a used alternator cost?
I have a '92 Grand Cherokee Jeep with a broken alternator. I was wondering how much a used one would cost, and if they're even reliable. Is there anyway an experience do-it-yourselfer would be able to fix it? My boyfriend's father is very good with cars. Or would it be best to find someone to install it? We're on a really tight budget as is, and this is no help. I'd appreciate some ideas on where I can get a used one, any places that work for low-prices, and any tips. Thank you guys soo much!
I need a new alternator. Should I take my car to the dealership or a mechanic shop?
There is literally no reason to go to the dealership (unless you want to). It’s not ‘wrong’ to go to the dealership if you like your dealership… but there is no benefit that they will give you vs. a good local shop.An alternator replacement does not involve any special, deal/manufacturer specific equipment. A mechanic will spend 30–90 minutes (depending on your car) unbolting a softball-sized generator-looking thing from the side of your engine and replacing it with a new one. They should also replace the serpentine belt that drives it with a new one, while they’re at it.There are no adjustments or diagnostics or variables to be adjusted. (yes, some vehicles require adjustment of the belt tension with a bolt, but that is rare nowadays, because most cars have automatic belt tensioners, and even that is extremely simple and not specific to any particular model).Your best bet is to develop a relationship with a local shop that you can trust. It will save you a lot of money over the long run.
What do i do with alternator core?
that much?! well i think they charge you a core fee if you don't bring in the old alternator when you buy a new one at a parts store. I think they charge you about (not sure just saying whatever #s pop in my head) $80 - $120. just can ask them the core charge fee of an alternator from the store you bought yours at. if you turn the old core in now they will give you that charge fee back. haha don't throw it away, get some money back, even if you don't want the money just give it to a random stanger and say Happy Holidays =)
If my car needs a new alternator, but also has a slow oil leak and I can only afford one repair, which one should I make first?
If my car needs a new alternator, but also has a slow oil leak and I can only afford one repair, which one should I make first?If you want to continue to drive the car, you really only have one choice.You will have to replace the alternator first, then fix the oil leak. The alternator will fail and leave you on the side of the road making the car unusable until you fix the alternator. The oil leak can wait IF you check your oil continually, topping it off as necessary until you can afford to fix the problem.A reminder: do not overfill the oil. The dipstick has a low mark and and high mark. The difference between the two marks is usually one quart (liter) of oil. If the oil is at the lower mark on the dipstick, then put one quart in. If it is halfway between the marks, put 1/2 quart in. Do not let the oil get below the lower mark on the dipstick. Check your oil often until you get the oil leak fixed. I would suggest checking your oil daily. You will not know if the oil leak suddenly gets worse while you are driving.If the oil light comes on, pull over to a safe place and shut the engine down immediately. Do not start the engine again until you have added oil.
What does it mean when an alternator is remanufactured?
remanufactured means it was returned as a used core sent to USA or mexico or some other country and remanufactured For the most part, I have better luck with remanufactured, than rebuilt. Its best to buy new if you can, a new one should last the life of the vehicle, however a lot of the time you can only get remanufactured, so in that case you do what you have to do, they are supposed to be quality oem specs, and for the most part there are some good companies out there that do quality work.
How much does a new alternator cost, plus labor from a mechanic?
How many bubbles in a bar of soap? The cost will depend on the make and model of the car, whether you want a new, rebuilt or used alternator and where you take it (dealer, guy around the corner).Alternators can cost about $100 for a rebuilt item on a mass produced car, to say $500 for exotic high powered alternators on high end cars. The shop might want to charge about 1 hour labor to install it - but some modern cars are especially difficult and you might need to take the car to the dealer for a new alternator which will be really expensive.An alternator can also be rebuilt- that is just the electrical parts are replaced, but the original mechanical parts are left in place. Usually the alternator would be removed from the car and sent out to the rebuild shop, this all takes a bit longer, but might be the cheapest way to go if you can live without your car for a couple of days. Rebuilding may cost about $50 to $150 depending on the car/alternator.