Lesson Learned, Don't Buy A Cheap Rebuilt Alternator

[TTA984]

I have felt the pain that some of you guys have. Since my alternator went out a few weeks ago, I replaced it with 2 from Oreilly's auto parts and both went bad, I think it was defective voltage regulators. So I tried a NEW ALTERNATOR from Kirban's. Put it on last night and it solved the alternator problem. You can get a 120 amp new one from them or they have a 200 amp alternator. I got the 200 amp but the 120 would have been fine.

You pay for what you get in rebuilt vs new sometimes.

I did run additional ground wire off battery to fender and as Kirban's said for the 200 amp I ran additional heavy gauge wire off the alt. to the positive on the battery.ttarider

 

[Jan Larsson]

+1

There's a few things I would not buy rebuilt ... brake callipers, alternator, starter (not sure if they rebuild that or not), AC compressor .. and I'm sure there's a few other parts we should stay away from as well ..

Always an expensive lesson unfortunately, been there done that as well.

I also got the brand new one from Kirban (120amp) back in 2006 and have had no issues with it what so ever.

 

[8289ta]

I had a local shop rebuilt my alternator for my 82. I would never use a chain store rebuild. They go through them and only change what is bad. The place I brought it to changed everything. The only thing reused was the case and the pulley and fan.
Years ago I had a Town car and used a Pep Boys alternator. I went through 3 of them before I gave up on them.

 

[TTA984]

Orielly's did give me a full refund on the rebuilt alternator. Hey I did get plenty of experience in changing these!:wall:

 

[Quiky One]

I will never run reman alternators on anything. I rebuilt the one on the TTA myself and feel great about it, but have never had good luck with reman store units. Went through 2 on a Limited my dad had before finding a decent one and THREE for my sisters Jeep. Of course, the alternator took out the battery as well. On newer vehicles I buy takeout low mile OEM ones.

Jason