Everything Electrical & Electronic Have an electrical problem? Lighting, Alternators, gauges, DIC, HUD, etc? Post it here. Please post Audio problems in the Audio forum, and Engine control problems in the appropriate Mechanical forum for your year.

What actually dies in the alternators?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 15, 2005 | 10:56 PM
  #21  
itsnitro's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, FL
itsnitro is on a distinguished road
Default

alrite, i need a new alt. 160 + where can i get a good one but somewhat cheap, i know i will have to put out some money but i need info!! 2002 bonne non-SC.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2005 | 11:21 PM
  #22  
2000SilverBullet's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
2000SilverBullet is on a distinguished road
Default

With auto tensioners, bearing failures should be a rarity.

9 times out of 10 the brushes wear out. It'* a real simple job to replace them.

I checked the alternator in my Firebird this winter and found the brushes were almost worn out....after just 10,000 mi....so I changed them. Cost me $5.00.
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 08:23 AM
  #23  
Ol' Timer's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey - Most of Our Elected Officials Have Not Been Indicted
Ol' Timer is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by 2000SilverBullet
I checked the alternator in my Firebird this winter and found the brushes were almost worn out....after just 10,000 mi....so I changed them. Cost me $5.00.
Well, now I know the reason why many people here get that "Lifetime" Alternator at Autozone(or other chain) and it fails a few months later. They bring in their "failed" alternator, the rebuilder replaces ONLY the brushes( that cost him a dollar), the alternator goes back on the shelf, out the door, and that newly "rebuilt" Lifetime Alternator fails again 10,000 miles later. I'd rather pay a few bucks more and buy a rebuilt alternator from a source that I know replaces ALL the necessary guts of the alternator(bearings, brushes, regulator, et al) with a 90 Day Warranty and not have to replace it for 5 years(or more) than getting a "Lifetime" Alternator and have to replace it in less than 3 months!
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 08:32 AM
  #24  
itsnitro's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, FL
itsnitro is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by itsnitro
alrite, i need a new alt. 160 + where can i get a good one but somewhat cheap, i know i will have to put out some money but i need info!! 2002 bonne non-SC.
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 08:55 AM
  #25  
itsnitro's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, FL
itsnitro is on a distinguished road
Default

ok, then, but it doesnt have b'villes, it has GP, can we use those?? i dont know how much their engine is the same as ours...
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 12:13 PM
  #26  
1993 SLE's Avatar
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,756
Likes: 1
1993 SLE is on a distinguished road
Default

[quote="itsnitro"]ok, then, but it doesnt have b'villes, it has GP, can we use those?? i dont know how much their engine is the same as ours...[/quote

the engine that is in the GP is exactly the same, with different mounts
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2005 | 11:14 PM
  #27  
2000SilverBullet's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
2000SilverBullet is on a distinguished road
Default

2000SilverBullet wrote:
I checked the alternator in my Firebird this winter and found the brushes were almost worn out....after just 10,000 mi....so I changed them. Cost me $5.00.


Well, now I know the reason why many people here get that "Lifetime" Alternator at Autozone(or other chain) and it fails a few months later. They bring in their "failed" alternator, the rebuilder replaces ONLY the brushes( that cost him a dollar), the alternator goes back on the shelf, out the door, and that newly "rebuilt" Lifetime Alternator fails again 10,000 miles later. I'd rather pay a few bucks more and buy a rebuilt alternator from a source that I know replaces ALL the necessary guts of the alternator(bearings, brushes, regulator, et al) with a 90 Day Warranty and not have to replace it for 5 years(or more) than getting a "Lifetime" Alternator and have to replace it in less than 3 months!

I have the original Alternator. It'* 25 years old and has 93,000 on it. All I have ever replaced is the brushes. Heat, excessive load and overtensioning the belt is what kills the electronics and bearings. If you can control those variables, you will only ever have to replace the brushes. That was my point.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2005 | 08:12 AM
  #28  
itsnitro's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, FL
itsnitro is on a distinguished road
Default

alrite thanks 1993SLE
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2005 | 08:34 AM
  #29  
willwren's Avatar
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 13
willwren is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by itsnitro
ok, then, but it doesnt have b'villes, it has GP, can we use those?? i dont know how much their engine is the same as ours...
Email or call him.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 06:00 PM
  #30  
Ol' Timer's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey - Most of Our Elected Officials Have Not Been Indicted
Ol' Timer is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by 2000SilverBullet
I have the original Alternator. It'* 25 years old and has 93,000 on it. All I have ever replaced is the brushes. Heat, excessive load and overtensioning the belt is what kills the electronics and bearings. If you can control those variables, you will only ever have to replace the brushes. That was my point.
I see your point. I was just commenting on those unscrupulous alternator rebuilders out there that just replace the One Part that failed and sell it again only to see it come back again a few months later because another part failed!
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:50 AM.