02-04-2024, 07:11 PM
(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
I'm going to start a conspiracy theory that the engineers behind these ridiculous designs are on the WEF's payroll to herd us into buying EVs and eating da bugs.
I bought a 2004 Dodge sedan at auction. It had a bad battery and when I opened up the hood it was nowhere to be found. They thought it was a good idea to put it in the driver's side fender. So checking the battery started out like your alternator story. I had to jack up the car, remove the wheel, the plastic thing, and then I could access the battery.
My high school auto shop teacher gave us the opposite advice for buying auto parts. He said whenever possible, get a rebuilt. Not just because they were usually less expensive, but because the "guts" that went bad are all replaced, and the parts that are re-used have been field tested and proven not to have any manufacturing defects. A lot of the parts that had such defects usually went bad within the first 30 days so they were covered by the warranty, but he said it was better to avoid them in the first place by getting a rebuilt. When he wasn't teaching shop class he ran the service department at a dealer so had some insight on how often those OEM parts fail. Of course, this was decades ago, so things may have changed. Though one would think with more manufacturing being shifted to China...