How much should I pay to get my alternator replaced?

[Mailorder]

While I would love to work on my '94 Infiniti Q45 myself, I don't have the time. This car is my daily driver and I'm sure taking it to the shop will be 5 times faster than myself doing it.

And I'm pretty sure my problem is the alternator, because I just got a new battery a week ago and my car died on me today. Maybe I shouldn't have ignored the "low battery charge" warning.

So my question is.. how much is an Infiniti alternator, and how much are the labor charges? What price range should I be willing to pay? I'm asking so I can get multiple quotes from auto shops, I just don't want to be ripped off : (

[Mailorder]

Also, is the Inifinti alternator something I can buy in any auto parts store? Or would I have to go to a Nissan / Infiniti dealership?

[elwesso]

probably 3-4 hours is good, and the new reman from Joe alt is $300...

So there you go!!

[breaksr]

I think the part is $240 from Everything Infinity Scotsdale and the labor my guy charges is $212 to install. So about $450 when everything is done. Make sure you change the bearings on the pulleys for the tensioners when get it done.

[Mailorder]

Hmm, so anything from $300-450...

how much would it cost to get the bearings on the pulleys replaced?

If the alternator is something I can buy elsewhere for a lower price.. could I bring it to a shop and only get charged for the labor fee, since I supply the alternator? sorry about the newbie question!

[elwesso]

youll want to get an alternator form Joe, most have probelms with rebuilt ones.. not to say you cant get a good one but usually they (not infiniti) arent as thorough on rebuilds.

however, if your shop will warranty the labor and part for a certain time, id be inclined to go with that... Just depends, but if I were doing this job, i would get a reman alt from Joe, but the difference is id replace it myself...

THe bearings on the idlers are cheap, you can get them from NAPA and have them pressed in. id replace all 3 and the belts at the same time.

[Q45tech]

If a shop will warranty parts and labor on an aftermarket ALTERNATOR, THEY HAVE NEVER REPLACED ONE ON A 90-96 Q45.

BOSCH is real junk in this application.

We had one customer pay 3 times [in less than 12 months] and brought us 3 Bosch units from Azone. We warned him before the first one.

We charge $280 labor plus alternator and belt usually replace idler pulley at same time.

DON"T SAY WE DIDN"T WARN YOU

ALSO IF YOUR BATTERY IS OLDER THAN 2 YEARS REPLACE IT SIMULTANEOUSLY.

When the bearings go the electronics are not far behind [regulator and commutator].

[Rex]

I'd suggest knocking out all 3 belts and idelr pulleys at once. It's small incrmental labor once their in there, but would be more expensive if they go back after them one at a time.

Dennis - is there anyway to check an idler pulley without removing belts?

[Q45tech]

Listen with a stethoscope with a probe while running at idle and 2000 rpm.

Easier to take it off and spin it sound and feel.........you can get new bearings for idler but the pulley is usually worn when the bearing go bad.

[elwesso]

how does the pulley wear??? Its just a piece of metal???

[Rex]

... you can get new bearings for idler but the pulley is usually worn when the bearing go bad.

Okay, I think I'll order a couple from Joe and see how many of the 6 total (3 known to be repalced in last 20k) need to be replaced.

how does the pulley wear??? Its just a piece of metal???

One way is the worn bearing transfers the heat and other forces to the pulley, eventually causing the pulley to "melt to" the bearing .

[elwesso]

you might talk to Rob, i asked him about it while talking on the phone a day or so ago, and he said that he replaced the water pump one but not the 2 other oens...

[Mailorder]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know Joe, but I trust he probably has the best alternators since this is a respected forum. However, the Q45 is only my daily driver.. and I'm actually looking to sell it to get a car with better mileage. I love my Q45, but that 10-15 miles per gallon on premium gas is killing me : (

My car is completely out of power. Power locks won't work, and the car is stuck in Park. It's parked at work.. and in an inconvenient spot. I plan on brining the battery home tonight to recharge, hoping I'll have enough tomorrow just to move the car into a proper parking space. My co-worker is willing to lend a hand (since my dead Q45 is parked at work), so I guess I won't be taking it to a shop. I'm thinking about hitting up Checker/Kragen for their $140 alternators. I will ask if they have any warranty on their alternators, of course.

[Rex]

you might talk to Rob, i asked him about it while talking on the phone a day or so ago, and he said that he replaced the water pump one but not the 2 other oens...

Yes, I'm sure the power steering pump one on my older Q was replaced, so I probably shold just get the other 3 (2+1) and do them all .

2 Q's means twice the wrenching ... oh well.

[szh]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know Joe, but I trust he probably has the best alternators since this is a respected forum.

If by Joe, you mean Joe Tsensky at Everything Infiniti, then, yes, he has the best ... they are OEM Infiniti re-mans. Best way to go ...

And, also, Joe has treated us right from way back when. I also endorse him heartily!

Z

[maxnix]

I love my Q45, but that 10-15 miles per gallon on premium gas is killing me : (

Either your car is very sick or you are hot rodding the hell out of it.

Do the math for what you have to spend vs. better mpg fuel savings and what it would coast to get your car up to the 16-20 mpg range and that fuel savings. Even hybrids don't pay off for 4 or 5 years, then one is soon to replace the battery packs.