Online parts stores - Don't use Parts Train - Car Parts Wholesale

[djazzmo]

I am so disappointed in these online stores. I ordered an altenator from Parts Train. I was connected to one of their customer service people who proceeded to check if the part was available. After 30 minutes of back and forth he assured me that the parts were is stock and could ship the same day if I gave him the order. Everyday when I came home I was expecting an altenator to be sitting on the porch. I am still driving my Q but the altenator is failing fast (can't keep the traction control on and the lights are begining to flicker). Finally after 7 days I got an email saying they didn't have the parts and I would get my money back in 4-7 days . They could never give me an intelligent answer on what happened and why it took them 7 days to figure it out. What is worse is that they didn't really care.

Now I have ordered the altenator from Car Parts Wholesale. It has been a week and according to the tracking number the part has still not shipped. I hope I am not in for another disappointment. The customer service people are completely useless and couldn't care less about my problems.

Well I am still trying to drive the Q but I feel like I am on borrowed time. What is worse is that we have snow now. This is my first winter in the Q but I am told they are not great in the snow so I am really scared because the weak altenator will not allow the traction control to stay on. The prices these online places charge is better than the stealer parts sites but now I not sure if the hassle is worth the savings. Hopefully the parts will be high quality. I would hate to have to deal with trying to return something to these monkeys.

Anybody know of a reliable, reasonable parts dealer?

[unknown007]

Make sure the tracking number isn't wrong.Last time i got a tracking number and it had an extra digit.I say go to the dealer store and buy one.If im correct it's the best way to go.Or go to a shop and have then install one for you but make sure you get your old one back too.Other than that a lot of wholesale places have bad customer services not all though.They will also say they have them in stock when really the agent doesn't know.

[Infinitiguy19]

You will want to talk to Joe at Infiniti Of Scottsdale http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/. He has OEM parts at 25% off.

As long as you drive carefully then you should be good.

[qship96]

Shocking a 2002Q already needs a new alternator. Use genuine Infiniti part only, or be prepared to duplicate your labor, as Q is known to destroy aftermarket alternators quickly.Driving around with a known failing alternator is not wise as it will permanently destroy even a brand new battery, and potentially leave you stranded in the cold,away from home.

[NightRiderQ45]

Shocking a 2002Q already needs a new alternator. Use genuine Infiniti part only, or be prepared to duplicate your labor, as Q is known to destroy aftermarket alternators quickly.Driving around with a known failing alternator is not wise as it will permanently destroy even a brand new battery, and potentially leave you stranded in the cold,away from home.

I guess this could be true but not in my case. My oem alternator lasted 7 yrs since I had to replace it 3/2005 with one from Advance Auto. The AAP alternator will be 4yrs oil in March, so I'll see if I can get another 3yrs out of it (which I should).

To the OP, I feel your pain...well not exactly because I don't usually do online orders (except with Joe-with bad results), I just try to get certain parts from AAP so I can have the parts then instead of wait 3-5 days and still get the wrong part! That will drive you Postal!

[maxnix]

In Joe we trust!

Service, prices and quality second to none!

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

[qship96]

I guess this could be true but not in my case. My oem alternator lasted 7 yrs since I had to replace it 3/2005 with one from Advance Auto. The AAP alternator will be 4yrs oil in March, so I'll see if I can get another 3yrs out of it (which I should).

Real question is how many MILES did your original alternator last? And how many MILES have you put on your cheapie replacement so far?

[djazzmo]

I guess this could be true but not in my case. My oem alternator lasted 7 yrs since I had to replace it 3/2005 with one from Advance Auto. The AAP alternator will be 4yrs oil in March, so I'll see if I can get another 3yrs out of it (which I should).

To the OP, I feel your pain...well not exactly because I don't usually do online orders (except with Joe-with bad results), I just try to get certain parts from AAP so I can have the parts then instead of wait 3-5 days and still get the wrong part! That will drive you Postal!

My first try was the local parts stores but none of them stocked the part. There were a couple that offered to order the part for me. One of these found that even their source would have to order it from someplace else. I figured I might as well order it myself and save the markup. Little did I know what I was in for. I did check for a OEM altenator but it was almost $300 more than the aftermarket parts. I would love to use OEM but at this point I can't afford it. Hopefully I can get a few years out of the aftermarket replacement.

[bullittandy]

In Joe we trust!

Service, prices and quality second to none!

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Actually, IOS sucks lately-didn't you read that thread with abt 10 people complaining?

[jltibbs]

Autolite offers a lifetime warranty. $170 plus $65 core. Ships in one day. (Link below)

02 Q45 Alternator

[MinisterofDOOM]

I guess this could be true but not in my case. My oem alternator lasted 7 yrs since I had to replace it 3/2005 with one from Advance Auto. The AAP alternator will be 4yrs oil in March, so I'll see if I can get another 3yrs out of it (which I should).

I have had NOTHING but bad luck with aftermarket alternators. I have replaced SIX (!!!!!!!!) in the Maxima in the last...7 or 8 years. Problem is you can't get OEM alternators for the Max anymore. Fortunately, AutoZone's warranty is much longer than the parts last. I only paid for the first. But that didn't make the subsequent alternator failures any less of a PITA.

Non-OEM alternators are a gamble not worth their potential "savings." Buy OEM and feel confident you won't have to mess with it again for at least a few years.

[NightRiderQ45]

Real question is how many MILES did your original alternator last? And how many MILES have you put on your cheapie replacement so far?

The REAL answer is that my OEM lasted to 92k and my "cheapie" replacement has 104k miles on it and still and still going! So why don't you ask my perfectly operating "cheapie" replacement how well it's holding up since it has more MILES on it than the OEM replacement and still going hmmm....The proof is in the pudding, especially when you are speaking from results.

[NightRiderQ45]

I did check for a OEM altenator but it was almost $300 more than the aftermarket parts. I would love to use OEM but at this point I can't afford it. Hopefully I can get a few years out of the aftermarket replacement.

Yes, you will be able to get some years out of it since my aftermarket alternator has more miles on it than my OEM

Actually, IOS sucks lately-didn't you read that thread with abt 10 people complaining?

YES they do. I don't think Joe comes on here much but hopefully he reads this statement...."since you moved up the ranks, your service dept. sucks!. The customer shouldn't have to provide you with part numbers just so we can hopefully receive the correct part."

I have had NOTHING but bad luck with aftermarket alternators. I have replaced SIX (!!!!!!!!) in the Maxima in the last...7 or 8 years. Problem is you can't get OEM alternators for the Max anymore.

Wow that's horrible. I would be bitter if I were in your shoes too. Did you keep buying the alternator from the same place they were failing at or does these failures come from AAP, AZ, O'Riellys, NAPA, Carquest, online stores...

[qship96]

Taking this a little personal, arnt you? Congrats, you got LUCKY with your cheapie alternator.....history proves the odds are not in your favor when it comes to taking the economy route with rebuilt alternators from chain stores in q45 applications.

just like a one pump chump winning in Vegas!

[NightRiderQ45]

Taking this a little personal, arnt you? Congrats, you got LUCKY with your cheapie alternator.....history proves the odds are not in your favor when it comes to taking the economy route with rebuilt alternators from chain stores in q45 applications.

just like a one pump chump winning in Vegas!

Heck no...not taking it personal. I just figured I would borrow your saying...what you didn't like it lol!? Like I stated in my first post, what you all state about "cheapie" alternators probably is true, but in MY CASE it wasn't. Just had to throw some numbers out to prove my case.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Wow that's horrible. I would be bitter if I were in your shoes too. Did you keep buying the alternator from the same place they were failing at or does these failures come from AAP, AZ, O'Riellys, NAPA, Carquest, online stores...

All from Auto Zone. If it wasn't for the warranty, I probably would have tried a few other places. Around here, though, the only options are Checker and Auto Zone...and I have a strong dislike for Checker; their customer service is dependably terrible. I've been on the lookout for a used OEM alternator at pick-n-pull but it seems like every one I find is horribly oil soaked.

[bullittandy]

Buy a used one, likely much cheaper than new OEM but OEM qualit-problem solved!!

[Victor]

I don't know why some posters are touting Infiniti OEM electrical parts. From all the post I have read and my own experience on my J30T infiniti electrical parts are much less reliable than American made big three electrical parts. and cost more to boot. They definitely don't know how to make reliable solder connections. In La Habra, California there is a generator shop that will rebuild your alternator with new bearings and new diodes and voltage regulator for about a hundred dollars. I would expect most places would have a similar shop.

[jtesensky]

Actually, IOS sucks lately-didn't you read that thread with abt 10 people complaining?

I would love to read it.

I did a search but didn't see it, can you post a link?

[NightRiderQ45]

I would love to read it.

I did a search but didn't see it, can you post a link?

Gladly...so you are the "Joe" guy. I think this is my first time seeing you post since I've been a member. Here is the link below and I must honestly say that I haven't had good service at all. I've received wrong parts and it was quite upsetting especially since I had my car scheduled to be worked on.

zerothread?id=387736

[maxnix]

I don't know why some posters are touting Infiniti OEM electrical parts. From all the post I have read and my own experience on my J30T infiniti electrical parts are much less reliable than American made big three electrical parts. and cost more to boot. They definitely don't know how to make reliable solder connections.

Well, the only thing worse than most American electronics are the Germans, especially after they acquired the Prince of Darkness, Lucas.

I would love to read it.

I did a search but didn't see it, can you post a link?

Andy exaggerates a little. Like I said in that thread, even you messed up once or twice, or shipping did, but you always made it right for me.

[jtesensky]

Gladly...so you are the "Joe" guy...

Yes, I am the "Joe" guy!

Please see my post zer...84637

Again, thank you for bringing it to my attention.

[djazzmo]

Buy a used one, likely much cheaper than new OEM but OEM qualit-problem solved!!

I don't know if I would trust a used alternator. How would you know how much life is in it? Even an OEM alternator isn't going to last forever and it seems like a gamble to put a used one in not knowing the life of it.

BTW it has been over 7 days and my parts still have not shipped from Car Parts Wholesale. I can't believe they charge $15 for shipping and still take over a week to actually ship the order.

[jtesensky]

I don't know if I would trust a used alternator. How would you know how much life is in it? Even an OEM alternator isn't going to last forever and it seems like a gamble to put a used one in not knowing the life of it.

BTW it has been over 7 days and my parts still have not shipped from Car Parts Wholesale. I can't believe they charge $15 for shipping and still take over a week to actually ship the order.

What is your VIN? Let me look up an OEM version and see if I can help you out on the price...

[djazzmo]

I would love to take you up on that but unfortunately my money is caught up in their system and I don't think I can get it back at this point. I will send you my vin by email just for giggles.

[Trumpkin]

I don't know why some posters are touting Infiniti OEM electrical parts. From all the post I have read and my own experience on my J30T infiniti electrical parts are much less reliable than American made big three electrical parts. and cost more to boot. They definitely don't know how to make reliable solder connections. In La Habra, California there is a generator shop that will rebuild your alternator with new bearings and new diodes and voltage regulator for about a hundred dollars. I would expect most places would have a similar shop.

Thats interesting. Not sure I have one around my home. Wonder what parts they are using?

[carps13guy]

i would not buy anything from horsepowerfreaks either. i thought because they designed a turbo kit for a m3 that they would be ok. but there customer service sucks, and i bought an apex exhaust from them and they sent me a turbo version that i didnt order, when i sent it back and told them to send me the right one they told me it would be a month for apex to make it and ship it over. well 3 months later i was fed up and told them i wanted my money back. they were very un-professional as well

[Trumpkin]

That stinks! I looked at their website for an injector kit for my subaru and it's kinda weird. It's like highschoolers put it together.

[carps13guy]

That stinks! I looked at their website for an injector kit for my subaru and it's kinda weird. It's like highschoolers put it together.

ya there site is really terrible. i only bought from them cuz what i wanted was on sale. last time i do that!

[BadQ45t]

I add my vote for OEM alternators, no matter what the brand of car and against the aftermaket ones no batter who the supplier. I have had nothing but bad luck with any 3rd party alternators, and "Lifetime" warranty on a part from a part store is no good to me as I'm not a DIY'er so the cost of replacement will outstrip the parts price quickly.

I had a 85' Maxima that ran the original alternator to 190k, than fried a aftermarket one in 20k, than ran another OEM one until she died at 300k (not the alternator). Same experience with the wife's former Mits Galant...cheaper aftermarket one only lasted 10k and 14 months.

My 1984 300ZX is one its second alternator, replaced with OEM thank you and strong at 160k and 25 years years later one one replacement. First one lasted 18 years.