Just as title says. Beginning to suspect alternator has "dropped a diode," leading to the car not starting and severely drained (and summarily ruined) batteries. Still functions enough to fool you... Seriously, that and the "crank sensor" - aside from a parasitic draw.... - are the only things left to explain it. Really.
So then. I looked at alternators, and I see some options...
1. Used OEM J30 alternator EBay, 60 bucks or so, supposedly out of a J30. Reviews say yard shipped them the wrong part once. Ad shows a J30 sitting in a scrapyard in California ...
2 and 3 are Autozone Duralast alternators. Both are 90 amp. One is a "Premium Reman," the other a "Duralast Gold, designed for maximum longevity."
The fourth is a 180 amp unit from Advance Auto...
Which one would you go with, any "fitment issues," and why?
Oh, and, also.. can this be *easily* changed by a mobile mechanic on the street, an alternator on a 1993 J30 (used one says it is from a 1994) or not really?