rebuilding an alternator

[Chris Halkides]

Hello Everyone,

I replaced the alternator on my J30 last week. I am considering either rebuilding it (though I do not know how), or having a factory rebuild it. How much does it cost, and to whom should I send it? Thanks.

[Nickadamus]

honestly nobody rebuilds them. its a waste of time. i would get a remanufactured one or a brand new one and check your grounds and other connections to the alt because thats probably why it went in the first palce(bad ground)

[Chris Halkides]

Nickadamus,

Thanks; I will look into the ground. The old battery was 7 years old (also replaced), and I have been told that the battery could have been the culprit. I had a new alternator installed ($600 plus labor). The reason I was considering working with the one that came out is that I would not mind having a replacement for the future. Also, there must be something better to do with it than throwing it out.

[Nickadamus]

no problem. deff dont throw it out either, there is a good sized chunk of copper in side, and extra parts are always good to have around so now i can see why you would consider rebuilding it. its just not one of those things that many shops do anymore because its not "time efficient". and yes the battery could have been putting too much strain on the alternator trying to charge it thus frying the alternator. there are rebuild kits out there for DIY, just search google. if you did decide to rebuild it you should post a build thread lol

[Q451990]

Most cities still have one or two rebuilders in town that rebuild alternators and starters. Might be worth taking it to them - or just keep your core for that in case your replacement fails. I don't think I would rebuild it now to have as a spare unless you know you're going to need it. Are you sure you weren't charged a core charge for your replacmeent? Typically remanufactured units come with a substantial core charge, that is refunded to you when you give back your old one - so that they can rebuild and re-sell it.

Heath

[Chris Halkides]

Hi Heath,

I called Scottsdale, and they said no core charge. I doubt that I have the skill to rebuild it myself. I can hang onto it for a while, but eventually if I do need it, I will need to find a factory or shop that can. Should I look on the alternator that came out for the part number and manufacturer? I am under the impression that Mitsubishi made some alternators for Infiniti, but Hitachi made others. Or it is possible to figure it out just by looking at it? Thanks.

[Q451990]

I thought it had the manufacturer on the tag on the alternator? If not, it might be worth checking with Scottsdale to see if there's a different part number for each one...

Heath

[Chris Halkides]

Heath,

Yes, I found it on the tag. It is a Mitsubishi. Maxnix did not suggest having it rebuilt, but I have to do something with it.

[SteveTheTech]

Aww I saw this and I was hoping that someone found the kit to do it....


I am honestly surprised that is not a more common thing among classic enthusiasts. I have a starter for my car I want to rebuild, but I cannot find parts. Wait scratch that I cannot find good parts. I would rather give that a shot instead of buy a cheap reman, and the OE ones (even with a discount) are unbelievable.


If my wife only knew...hahaha

The Service manuals for most of the new cars still contain directions for rebuilding starters, not really alternators since say maybe the late 80s. With the improvements in technology the brush and bearing replacements are a lost art.

[Chris Halkides]

SteveTheTech,

I have the service manual, but I have never rebuilt anything before. Therefore, I think it is probably beyond me. But new alternators run $600 and even rebuilt ones are about $300. Also, somebody much be rebuilding them, and I would send it to whomever did quality work if I knew who they were.

[SteveTheTech]

Good Luck with that. That is really a lost art and not something I would even know where to find someone but I bet Google would know.

It says that you like photography under your name so I am going to use another open tab in my browser.
I am looking for a new AF-S lens for my Canon 1000D I would really like an 85mm lens but I am a stickler for OE (in the case of cameras usm) Amazon wants about $600, I could get a generic with an adapter. But is it really worth it for a backup? Rebuilding an alternator that lasted about 17 years seems like rebuilding the lenses available from Canons bargain basement (it says it only has a little mold on the lens).
It might not be worth getting the dealer stock unit but using the part number to search the older Nissan sites, the old 300z might be the same.

If you need something to fix it quick check out,
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/detai ... widyH6a2E4

[Chris Halkides]

Steve,

I am not trying to beat a dead horse, so bear with me a moment. Given the price tag of a rebuilt alternator (roughly $300), I thought that rebuilding the one I already have would make sense (assuming I needed another one down the road). If it is not economical, then there is still a bunch of copper in the old alternator that should be recycled in some way, I suppose. Thanks.

[SteveTheTech]

I completely agree that the price of a new one is over the top....but it is what it is.

This morning I had to sell a $1200 alternator to a woman with a 97 J because two aftermarket alternators did have appropriate regulators. So it seems that there is a reason for the price.

I am not hoping my alternator does not go anytime so.

That would probably be the first aftermarket part my car has seen if it fails me.