(02-03-2024, 09:26 PM)sistersue Wrote:

(02-03-2024, 06:15 PM)terracore Wrote: I've installed maybe 10 alternators in my day and it's not as easy as it used to be.  We had one car where one practically had to remove the engine to even access it.  I didn't want to spend an entire day underneath the car trying to do the job myself (with no guarantee of success) so I charged the battery and drove it to Curlees and had them do it.

More recently I installed one in an Impala.  It took a lot longer than I thought it would and I had sticker shock when I called around to price the replacement.  It was at least $300 after trade-in.  It did come with a "lifetime" warranty (10 years) and it was one of those times when one takes care to save receipts and paperwork.

Hi Terracore,

Is Curlee's still in business or back in business?
Thank you.

(02-03-2024, 10:07 AM)My 2 cents Wrote: ..One thing she could do to clean up the alternator question would be to get the identification numbers off of the alternator and see for herself if it matches up with her car.  She could do it herself online or call one of the parts stores.

I would definitely make sure before accusing the mechanic of screwing up based on what the scammers at Lex Brodie said.

(02-04-2024, 04:21 PM)oink Wrote: I have a 2005 Hundai Tuscon. The alternator went out. Multiple estimates were in the $800 range. The book calls for pulling the engine to replace it.

I found an new OEM alternator online for about $100, substantially cheaper than even a rebuild from the dealer or local suppliers. I found a couple of videos on Youtube describing how to get to it through the passenger side wheel well. It was a PITA but doable after removing the wheel, plastic wheel well interior and a couple of other things, and contorting my arm in angles it wasn't designed for. But the book called for pulling the engine.

If the alternator is placed like the one I did it would be exceedingly difficult to read anything off of the alternator once installed. She should definately ask to see the receipt the shop got from the supplier. There will of course be a shop mark-up on the part. Also, on alternator rebuilds issues are pretty common. When possible a new oem is a better bet especially when installation is a challenge.

The days of being able to open the hood and just reach in the engine compartment to change out and alternator or other parts are long gone. As are the days of setting timing by ear and rotating the distributor, or setting points with a match book cover

(02-04-2024, 07:40 AM)My 2 cents Wrote: I'm going to go a little further out on the alternator limb and say that it's unlikely that the wrong one was installed.  For this to happen, all of the bolts, pins, the belt, the swivel shaft, electrical connections, brackets and perhaps other things would have to match up perfectly.  In today's world of highly specialized design, as illustrated in previous posts, the chances of a "wrong" unit matching up perfectly are pretty remote, making the physical installation impossible.

I think your first mechanic was telling the truth and that there is another issue with the car.  Why he couldn't find it is a whole other discussion.

(02-04-2024, 08:02 PM)HereOnThePrimalEdge Wrote: ridiculous designs are on the WEF's payroll to herd us into buying EVs

Side note - EVs don’t have alternators.  And to the great sadness of some workers in the Puna automotive theft industrial complex, no catalytic converters, or gas tanks to punch holes into.