Alternatior Question...

[aaronsbiza]

I recently had a battery light come on when the car was at idle and it would die away when the RPMs picked up. I had it tested at the local AutoZone and they told me that the diode was bad. As it turns out the alternator is about 180 bucks and they do not sell the diode. How detremental to the SHO would it be to run like this for another week or two? The tech told me that the alternator was overcharging the battery. Does Anyone know where I can get the alternator for a cheaper price? Or does anyone know where rebuid kits are sold? Oh Yeah 95ATX

 

[93nighthawk]

Autozone does NOT carry an alternator for the ATX SHO, it is listed in the computer, but it is no longer carried. I tried ordering one, and after waiting a month, I was told this. You have 3 choices. Either get it rebuilt, take your chances at the junk yard, or buy a new one from Ford for about $500.

I would recomend having it rebuilt, that would be the cheapest. Also have your battery replaced so you don't toast the rebuilt alternator. You won't do any more damage if you ran your car for a week or so. But I would be worried about it dieing in the middle of no-where.

 

[rangerj]

Try J.C.Whitney. They sell alternator reebuild kits, but I am not sure about a kit for the SHO alternator. A diode is a oneway valve for current. They usually come in sets of three.

If you are overcharging the battery try turning on some electrical components to use the extra current, e.g. lights, blower motor.

Check around your area for a shop that rebuilds alternators. rangerj

 

[aaronsbiza]

Where can I get a rebuild kit or where can I get it rebuilt at?

 

[93nighthawk]

I checked JC, but did not see an alt rebuild kit for it. As for a rebuild shop, here are a few in your area:

ALTERNATOR SHOP
2141 PERKINS WAY SACRAMENTO, CA 95818-4342
(916) 446-6425

SIERRA ALTERNATORS
2108 DUNLAP DR SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA 96150-6458
(530) 544-6013

JERRY'S GENERATOR SVC
3102 BLAIRS LN PLACERVILLE, CA 95667-5804
(530) 622-6257

BOYLE FUTURE TECHNOLOGY
12325 LOCKSLEY LN AUBURN, CA 95602-2006
(530) 888-6290

I do not recomend any of them sense I have never done buisness with them. Check you local yellow pages under alternator/starter repair, I just found these on the web when I did a search.

 

[aaronsbiza]

Thank you For all of your help.

 

[rangerj]

Aaron,

When the U.S. auto makers were putting in alternators that were made in the USA, e.g. Motorola, Delco, ForMoCo, parts were easy to get.

If you look at the kits available they are for the alternators made in the USA.

Getting parts for the Nipondenso alternator is a problem because the make considers all the parts to be "proprietary". The parts are overpriced because of a thing called "transfer pricing" (which is a discussion for a whole other forum).

Find a local shop that can get parts for your alternator. Then find out how much it will cost to get your alternator rebuilt will new diodes, brushes, and front and rear bearings. They should also clean up your case and test all the other components.

If you could get a rebuild kit it may not help you. The diodes are soldered in place, and if it is not done properly you could ruin the new diodes.

If you can get it rebuilt at a reasonable price, this is the way to go. Do not be surprised if the rebuild shops tell you that they cannot get the parts, or if they do get the parts they will be very expensive.

It may be as much to have your alternator rebuilt as it would cost to buy a rebuilt alternator and turn your's in as a "core".

Check it out, and let us know how you do. rangerj

 

[OSHSHO]

Do you have an "Advance Auto" in your area?? If so they carry the Autolite #13447 120A for $202.99 and the AC/Delco #321-1492 120A for $274.99. I believe a $70 core applies to both. web page

Good Luck

<small>[ April 19, 2003, 09:57 PM: Message edited by: OSHSHO ]</small>