[lozinit]

My daily driver t-bird had a bad alternator yesterday, so ended up at the local O'riellys to get another one. No big deal right?
Well, upon paying the $150.00 for the reman part, I get home and install it. Guess what - It was dead as well.
So back to the parts store I go. They "test" it, and claim its' good.
Swap that one out with another one. Get home and guess what!
Needless to say, at this point I am starting to worry about my car having a problem.
Back to the parts store.

I ended up going through FIVE alternators before they handed me one that worked. The entire time, the parts store is claiming that they sell the best quality parts, and that my car is the problem.
So, the second from last alt. that I had ended up at a local starter and alternator shop for a load test (Sanity check).
Guess what, an hour later, the custom shop calls back and says that the piece of junk I brought them for testing was in fact dead.
They offered to custom build an alternator for me around $170.00, so I'm gonna take that route as soon as I go to the junkyard and get a core for them to rebuild.

Are the chain store parts counters and manufactures so interested in quick profit and turnaround these days that quality has suffered THIS much?

~Michael

[Weimer]

Why go to the junkyard for a core? Why not use your original alternator as the core?
Later,
WEIMER

[lozinit]

I thought about that, but since the custom built one will only come with a 1 year warranty, I figured that I would keep the parts counter piece as a backup on the shelf since it has a lifetime warranty. (Although, I seriously doubt the custom built one will fail)

I'm just not too overly impressed by the quality of the parts counter stuff lately. Even though the one I have now works, I'm kinda stand-offish about keeping that one in my car. I'm just funny that way I guess.
~Michael

[HotrodLincoln]

Well, I hate to tell ya, but it is not just that parts chain with re-build problems. My wife works for a big autoparts chain. Most of the stuff they sell is just fine. But the altenators and starters are just junk. I don't know the reason but they are just terrible. It might have something to do with being re-manufactured in Mexico? I went through three alts. in one car over the course of two months.
Now if my customers or I need altenators or starters I have to go to the "other" big parts chain to get them.
The point of the story... shop around, or ask around. Find out who in your area carries the better parts.

[Kevin45]

Why not just get a one wire alternator from Jegs or Summit. Chrome for $95.00

Kevin

[tm454]

I have run into this problem with junk so called new/rebuilt parts. Coils, master-cylinders, ignition switches and light switches. I got a bad Tire when I bought a set of New tires. The store mounted and balanced the tires and when I followed my wife the one tire tread wiggled going up the road so I had it replaced with one that didn't have cords out of line. These parts store could use a better customer acceptance inspection program. At least the guys at the parts store don't act like I'm crazy when I return something defective anymore.


Todd


Rat Rods Rule!

[Copper Top]

I guess that up here that I'm kind of lucky,at tha Canadian tire store there is a tester right at the counter so you can see if it is a piece of ****.I usually just dangle a key chain behind my alternator,if it sticks to the back,it works.But,that is with Chevys.I don't know about fords.

[dharroald]

i had a problem with a temp. guage i bought for my truck. the arm was on the wrong side of the peg. i guess it wasn't really the stores fault though, of course it was the last one they had so i had to wait for them to get another before they would exchange it. David

[ April 24, 2003: Message edited by: dharroald ]</p>

[Adrenaline_Fiend]

Just a couple weeks ago I went through 3 bad alternators and 2 voltage regulators(all brand new) from schucks. All that time I was doubting my wiring skills and it was just them.... <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />

[pasadenahotrod]

The wave of low-bucking started by Chief and AutoZone is finally starting to have its effects, I guess. The quality of reman parts in particular has taken a nose dive in the last 2 years since I left the business, for good I hope!
How can a store compete with a quality part offering a 1 year warrantee when the guy down the street is selling a cheap-john part for $10-20 less with a "life-time" warrantee? Sure, you can take the duds back every 2-3 months forever, but who's covering the remove/reinstall labor every time (even if you DIY) YOU, that's who!!
By the way, most of those "life-time" deals expire about the 3rd or 4th you drop with another dead starter or alternator.
And...had you bought the quality part...you'd still be driving then, now, and even years from now, and noy have had to spend 6 weekends or Friday nights replacing junk.
Thanks a lot, you cheap b--tards! Thanks a lot, vendors kowtowing to the lowest denominator!

[NAIRB]

You get what you pay for, sometimes not. All in all, don't expect steak for hamburger price. If you buy the Autozone cheapee, it will work for a while {maybe}. There is a really good little alternator and starter shop where I live, and I have them rebuild the original stuff when I can, It always lasts better, but sometimes my customers won't wait, so on with the generic crap and cross your fingers!!1

[Harlequin]

No, see the all time test for a part store is when you walk in, turn towards the parts guy, causally walk up to him and ask for a radiator cap for a 72 Volkswagen. If he looks in the computer, even for a second, walk away.

[Invstr396]

ROFL on the above post, but what really blows my mind is when the computer "tells" him that this one will fit!!

[johnsongrass1]

Just recently I walked into the autozone and asked for a "J" bar

He asked the year and I told him 79.

He asked what kind of car and I told him it's a Sanderson chassis, 79 chevelle.

He proceded to spend 10 min. looking for this part. Eventually I grew tired of wiating and told him to forget it. He said,
"I almost have it." Does it have air"

That's when I told him it's a dirt track modified and Air conditioning wasn't even a option.

He didn't realized I was pulling his chian and asked his manager if he could get suspension parts for Off Road Vehicles.
My buddy was rolling on the floor making a scene and this guy ask's
"what'd so funny?"

[johnsongrass1]

Just recently I walked into the autozone and asked for a "J" bar

He asked the year and I told him 79.

He asked what kind of car and I told him it's a Sanderson chassis, 79 chevelle.

He proceded to spend 10 min. looking for this part. Eventually I grew tired of wiating and told him to forget it. He said,
"I almost have it." Does it have air"

That's when I told him it's a dirt track modified and Air conditioning wasn't even a option.

He didn't realized I was pulling his chian and asked his manager if he could get suspension parts for Off Road Vehicles.
My buddy was rolling on the floor making a scene and this guy ask's
"what'd so funny?"