I get home last night & my wife greets me at the door by telling me that the battery light came on in her 98 Grand Am.

I got my tester out. The alternator is dead. It was a reman from Pep Boys. So not a big surprise that it died.

I priced a new (reman) & was shocked! $125 for an alternator!

I only paid $80 for the last one!

Looks like I'll be checking the salvage yards!

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86 GT
87 coupe restoration project.

Check out replacing the diode trio. Most of the time the alt quits because of that. maybe reman it yourself and save bucks.

Everything is slowing going up, so i'm not surprised. Not pleased,but not surprised.

quote Originally posted by htexans1: Check out replacing the diode trio. Most of the time the alt quits because of that. maybe reman it yourself and save bucks.

Where do I find the parts to do that?

quote Originally posted by htexans1: Check out replacing the diode trio. Most of the time the alt quits because of that. maybe reman it yourself and save bucks.

Mine have *always* been bearings.

The alt on my Vette died so now it has one from my Fiero parts pile. Its not the same amps, 15 amps lower but it keeps everything running. My Vette has been converted to a Carb so that probably helps.

Autozone.com list diode kits.

$120 bucks for my last altenator on my 02 Windstar. You are right in line.

Jim

$114 for my 94 Ranger/B4000 starter just the other day.

quote Originally posted by nmw75: Where do I find the parts to do that?

Check NAPA, they may have "rebuild" kits that include the "trio" and the bearings and bushings to rebuild it.

Also check your local area for a "alternator shop" or a starter rebuilder. they are often cheaper then auto parts stores.

quote Originally posted by htexans1: Check NAPA, they may have "rebuild" kits that include the "trio" and the bearings and bushings to rebuild it. Also check your local area for a "alternator shop" or a starter rebuilder. they are often cheaper then auto parts stores.

thats what I did the second time with my camaro a few years back. new one was $120, the next time I asked if they had the brushes and regulator... etc. they ended up having some old parts in the back and just gave them to me (NAPA) free fix. although the parts would have only cost $20-30 new.

I checked with NAPA. No rebuild.
I have to go to a slvage yard this weekend. They said they might be able to get me one. $40.

Yeah, one for my Escort was about $125 as I recall.

I can remember getting an alternator from Trak Auto for $40. Of course I had to replace it 3 times (lifetime warranty FTW) and that was in the 1980s... :P

Ed

The alternator died on my 88 and I paid $199 for the rebuild. When I put it in, in 2002, it only was $156. Inflation. Next year it will be $250.

quote Originally posted by htexans1: Check NAPA, they may have "rebuild" kits that include the "trio" and the bearings and bushings to rebuild it. Also check your local area for a "alternator shop" or a starter rebuilder. they are often cheaper then auto parts stores.

Auto Electrical Shops may offer lifetime warenties, they rebuilt mine for under $50 about 10 years ago.

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Ol' Paint, 88 Base coupe auto.
Turning white on top, like owner.
Leaks a little, like owner.
Doesn't smoke....... OK, we're trying to quit.

The water cooled alternator in my 01 BMW X5 is $1100 at the dealer.........Yes, $1100. That's for the part, not installed. I get a discount because I work at the dealer and it's still $800.

quote Originally posted by FieroMaster88: The water cooled alternator in my 01 BMW X5 is $1100 at the dealer.........Yes, $1100. That's for the part, not installed. I get a discount because I work at the dealer and it's still $800.

That's the main reason I don't own a BMW. I like em, just can't afford em.

Jim

quote Originally posted by jimbolaya: That's the main reason I don't own a BMW. I like em, just can't afford em. Jim

We differ, in that I can afford them, just don't like them...

Kevin

Thats cheap. One for a honda is like $300 last time i looked. I had to replace 2 of them.

Auto Zone= first at regular price and the rest for free!

$172 + core for the alternator I put in the 2002 Mazda Protege. $90 for the CS alternator I put in the Fiero, but that was a nice AC Delco part. Alternators aren't cheap anymore, especially for the newer cars.

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1984 Fiero SE

I got mine rebuilt for $60.00 at a starter and alternator rebuilder in town.

I paid $215 a couple of weeks ago for a rebuilt alternator for my Mustang...I would have been HAPPY to have only paid $125!