Price for Rebuilt Alternator

[noodlesoup]

What is a fair price for a rebuilt alt. for a 91 Camry?

[PaulyJay]

don't know over there but wouldn't it be cheaper to rebuild it yourself? a friend of mine had his go about six months ago so i took it and rebuilt it myself. not too hard, just follow the instructions. then if someone asks you can tell em with pride "i did it with my own two hands."

[atobe]

it's just easier to buy one from autozone or something most come with a lifetime warranty

[fabbb]

Usually the problem is worn out brushes. Take the alt apart and you will see the brushes in a plastic holder. You can go to an alt repair shop and get the brushes/holder assembly for about $10 or if you are as cheap as I am, you can unsolder the old brushes from the holder and get new ones for $5 and resolder them. The only prob I have with rebuilt alts from AZ or even NAPA is the poor quality of the product. Starters are the same. It's not uncommon to go through 2 alts or starters until you get a good one, so I try to keep the original equipment if I can.
SteveB

[monito]

$200 out the store; $75 back when you return the core. totalling to ~$125

if i recall correctly that is.

Get it @ Autozone and do the work yourself. it'll save you $200.
I got a parts and service quote from Toyota, and they wanted about $400 [price didn't include core return since it would be done by them]


BTW: that $400 includes a $200 re-manned Alternator w/ only a 1 year limited warranty...
So...yeah! go with Autozone and do the work yourself.

[Mike Gerber]

I purchased a rebuilt one at Pep Boy a couple of years ago for a generation 2 Camry for about $100 exchange.

Replacing the alternator yourself is one of the easiest things you can do yourself. Just remember to remove the negative battery cable before starting.

Mike

[TBayToyotaBoy]

If you just want to get the car through for a little while longer, buy a used (but OEM) alternator. Check www.car-part.com for inventory close to you, and be sure to get one that looks reasonably good and still has the DENSO sticker on it.

The reason for my advice: over the last five years, I've replaced alternators on my Corolla, my V6 camry, and my I4 Camry. The brand-new-looking rebuilt alternators last just over a year (on average) while the grimy-looking Denso (factory) units last over two years (again, on average). Bosch reman units seem to be the least reliable, IMHO.

[marc780]

The only prob I have with rebuilt alts from AZ or even NAPA is the poor quality of the product. Starters are the same. It's not uncommon to go through 2 alts or starters until you get a good one, so I try to keep the original equipment if I can.

that's no lie. When i started wrenching 30 years ago almost every replacement part was good. To put in a new alt or starter and have it not work was uncommon. nowadays the quality control is so dubious that you have about a 50/50 shot at a good one the first time.
Not too long ago i bought a brand-new autolite alternator and it was bad out of the box! Have them test it at the store before you take it home, if you can.

[Mike Gerber]

"Have them test it at the store before you take it home, if you can."

Marc780 brings up a good point.

Another option is to look for an auto electrical rebuilder in your area. Try your local yellow pages. They are usually about the same price as picking up a rebuilt unit at an auto parts store. They will definitely test their units before letting them out the door and will rebuild your OEM unit if you like. Their quality control is generally much better; IMHO.

Mike

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Mike is 100% correct. When I lived in Toronto, that's what I did. Unfortunately, I live in a smaller burb now and there aren't any rebuilders here. Everything gets sent away...sad.

Even if a local rebuilder/refurbisher is slightly more expensive than whitebox parts, I'd go that route. Accountability is priceless, and the little guys still have it while the megacorps generally don't.

I'm done my diatribe now.

[metrodriver]

I got one from the junk yard. $35.- if my memory is still good. Works like a champ. Kept the old one for overhaul. I'm pretty much sure the diode bridge has a bad diode. Now all I need is time.