I've found that if you buy a good quality alternator from the dealer, it lasts much longer, like 80,000 miles. No. 1 went from 0-82,000. No, 2 went from 82,000-present (133,000). I've heard this from other people as well. On the flip side, alternators aren't that hard to install, so if you can do it yourself, then maybe you should stick with the cheaper ones.

> I've found that if you buy a good quality alternator from the dealer,
> it lasts much longer, like 80,000 miles. No. 1 went from 0-82,000.
> No, 2 went from 82,000-present (133,000). I've heard this from
> other people as well. On the flip side, alternators aren't that hard
> to install, so if you can do it yourself, then maybe you should stick
> with the cheaper ones.

I prefer original equipment whenever I can get it, but still:

1) When I bought the car at 58K from Sullivan Pontiac in Arlington Heights, IL, I took it back a few days later to complain about a squeaking belt and what looked like a belt tensioner pulley that was threatening to seize up. They diagnosed a bad alternator instead (same belt)...

2) and swapped in a rebuilt AC-Delco unit for nothing. That fixed the problem for several years, until it died at about 87K.

3) Bought a rebuilt AC-Delco alternator from Trak Auto with a 7-year/70K warranty which lasted about two years, or 6 months longer than Trak Auto. (I know, they're still open in the northeast, where I am not.) Fortunately I found a local Lee Auto store which stocks AC-Delco rebuilt alternators and

4) honored the Trak Auto warranty for me with a free replacement.

So I'm a little disappointed that gen-you-whine AC-Delco alternators aren't holding up real well (two weeks after I installed alternator #4 in the SSEi, I had to rescue a woman whose Grand Am alternator died in the middle of the street), although the replacement procedure is easy enough that it'* not going to affect my life too much. (Yes, all alternators were rebuilt by AC-Delco and came in AC-Delco boxes.)

On the other hand, I can't jump-start the SSEi (or anyone else'* car _from_ the SSEi) since the factory managed to run one of the A/C lines right over the top of the positive battery terminal, but that'* another complaint...

You guys really need to look at the Alternators on Speedguy'* website. The bearings on mine are on the way out, and I'm going to him for my replacement.

www.domesticperformance.com

> I'm going to him for my replacement.
>
> www.domesticperformance.com

Ooooh... He'* going to make A-pillar gauge pods for the Bonneville... Me want one...

Group buy. We're just waiting for enough people on the pods. Drop your cash and let'* add another one!

How completely ironic!

I go down to start my car after work.... It turns on, but so does the low battery light. Bad alternator!

So let'* see. Alternator 1) 0-82,000 miles - AC-Delco
Alternator 2) 82,000-133,000 miles - AC Delco installed at dealer.

I went over to Autozone because that'* the only thing open this late and bought a $79 alternator and installed it so I could get home.

We'll see how long this one goes, and I'll return my AC Delco back to the dealer because it'* on a lifetime warranty and keep the spare in the trunk. So much for quality alternators...

Update:

Alternator No. 3 lasted 10 miles back to Autozone again. It had a bad bearing and was making all kinds of racket!

Autozone took it right back, and gave me Alternator No. 4. I'm getting real good at installing those. That'* two in 1-hour, including one in Autozone'* parking lot.

Once again, thank God they are a piece of cake to install.

Replace The Alternator. That'* Your Problem. There Expensive But Worth It. My '87 Bonneville Cost $150.00, From Schuck'* Auto Supply. You Can Also Find A Wreaking Yard And Get One There And While Your At It Ask Them If They Repair Alternators, It'* Alot Cheaper To Repair Then To Replace. Good Luck.

Karl, go up to "Gatherings" and read the Seattle area post.