Rebuilt Alternators and Starters? (tried search)

[T.O 240sx]

hey everyone.... my car is about 10 years old now, and is calling for a new alternator and possibly a starterim was planning to buy a new alternator and starter but then i realized how damn expensive they are! i tried searching for the answers, but no luckis it worth to buy a new ones or should i have them rebuilt?... what exactly do they do when they rebuild it? any input would helpthanks!

[gepeto]

What I did is I bought a rebuilt one (Couldn't afford downtime, didn't have a beater back then). It works reallllly well, and it has a 3year warranty...

They change the solonoid, the brushes...it's pretty much as good as a new one..I paid a bit over 100$cad for mine (60$rebate for giving back my old one).. much better than Nissan's price (About 300$cad here, and they aren't even brand new, they are rebuilt TOO!)

Alternators from Nissan are about 400$cad here, you can be sure I'll get mine rebuilt way before I buy one from them!

[DammitBobby]

Don`t get rebuilt ones from Autozone. Unless you like changing them out every 6 months if it last that long!

[gepeto]

Mine is a rebuilt from Canadian Tire (Which doesn't exist in USA obviously haha) but I think it's a Bosh rebuild kit in it..

[Dattebayo]

The real problems with non-OEM rebuilt ones is that alot of times they dont replace the voltage regulator and sometimes the brushes are sub-standard quality.

Ive bought ones from stores that crap out in less than a month.
Modified by 2BN_S13 at 4:18 PM 3/14/2005

[gepeto]

Haven't used mine much. We'll see. 3 year warranty is good but it's a pain in the *** to take it out..

[T.O 240sx]

thanks for the advice and tips everyonei live in Canada, so i have a Canadian tire!! i went there, but they said they no longer carry them for the 240sx. well when i do mine, ill make sure i get a good warranty, and make sure its not from Autozone (thanks rseabrooke)...

so it would be recommended to use my oem one than to buy a rebuilt non-oem one?

[DammitBobby]

You can check around but usually there are local shops that can rebuild your alternator or starter. Just make sure they have been in business for a while. You can also try to rebuild your own alternator and starter. The alternator usually just needs brushes and I would replace the regulator. The starter you can replace the brushes and I would replace the solenoid. Probably can fix both yourself for less then 100 bucks. If you do plan on rebuilding your own just buy some electric cleaner to clean everything off. The parts I recommended can also be bought at an local nissan dealer or a auto parts dealer.

[T.O 240sx]

hey rseabrookethanks for the advice... i would rebuild it myself but i dont know that much about alternators and starters, so my best bet would be to go to a trusted mechanic..

[xekushnr]

i know a lot of people who have bought rebuilt starters. they are considerably cheaper, but its sort of like a payment plan, in a month or two you will be back to buy a new one. ive seen a few rebuilt starters that wouldnt start right after installing it.

as for alternators, i havent had as much as a problem with rebuilt alternators as with the starters, but you can still get bad ones. make sure you buy from a reputable shop. dont always go for the best deal.

[T.O 240sx]

i see i see.... so i should stay away from buying a rebuilt starter.

ill definitely get a rebuilt alternator but ill make sure i go to someone thats has warranties on their rebuilt alternators.

just a question... is it safe to use a alternator with a higher amperage? i do have a system in my car, so i would need a more powerful alternator... i've heard of people putting in 120amp alternators instead of the oem 90amp.is this a smart idea?