Fixing your alternator for around 30 bucks

[steppinthrax]

So I got the dreaded battery light when driving home a couple of days ago. I used an VOLT meter and found when the engine was running the system voltage was around 11.9V instead the normal 14V. Anyway I pulled the alternator and went around pricing them through autozone and advance auto. Price was quite dear: 240 for a complete reman and 130 for a cheap reman. I decided to take a chance and take the grey cover off the old alternator. I could easily remove the voltage regulator and Bushings. Bought them online for 30 bucks on ebay and reassembed. Works perfectly......

[chronoti]

did the kit from ebay come with a new regulator?

[steppinthrax]

Originally Posted by chronoti

did the kit from ebay come with a new regulator?

The regulator was what was bad, yes the kit did come with one and bushings. I compared the OHM rating on the pins from the old regulator to the new one and I believe the last two pins where several thousand ohm difference between the old and new voltage regulator. The old bushings were worn so bad that they were barely pushed up against the contact points. I also too a piece of sand paper and sandaded the contact points a bit to make the copper shining again.

[Mister_Perkins]

Your lucky. My voltage regulator shorted out an my alt. Was putting out 16v and melting my wiring. Lol

Rebuilt the alt and works great now

[superfan]

Originally Posted by steppinthrax

So I got the dreaded battery light when driving home a couple of days ago. I used an VOLT meter and found when the engine was running the system voltage was around 11.9V instead the normal 14V. Anyway I pulled the alternator and went around pricing them through autozone and advance auto. Price was quite dear: 240 for a complete reman and 130 for a cheap reman. I decided to take a chance and take the grey cover off the old alternator. I could easily remove the voltage regulator and Bushings. Bought them online for 30 bucks on ebay and reassembed. Works perfectly......

I'm curious to know how you found it, i.e. what were your search keywords? Did the listing specifically say it was for your year make and model?

[gyjoe]

Very interesting, thanks for posting the info.