froggy47

I'm getting High Voltage (once so far) but if it crops up again it appears from the threads that it's alternator time.

Replace OEM
Replace a/c delco
Replace other white box (maybe get lifetime garr)
Rebuild/where?
Exchange who is any good?

Thanks if you have a suggestion

2004 z 50k mi

froggy47

bump

froggy47

Is this like a p/s pump or f/p or w/p where you need to get a race grade version?

Or just throw in the cheapest one with a lifetime warranty?

Suggestions?

fcarga

Pick the the parts store which has locations near every track that you go to and buy their "lifetime" guaranteed alternator or buy two of what you comfortable with so you'll have a spare with you at all times.

froggy47

I was sort of leaning that way. NAPA has a reman 3yr warr by RayLock for $203. Whoever that is?

Pep has a ProStart reman lifetime for $244.

Rock auto has acdelco reman lifetime for about $205.

ErnieN85

If I need to buy two ............might as well get new.
I have had very poor luck with rebuilt alternators (on my vettes)

new would be my take

crease-guard

Funny I find this thread. This weekend on the track I started throwing a p1637, Generator L-Terminal Fault. Only seems to occur during runs down the straight. So I was thinking I need a new alternator as well.

froggy47

I wonder if it makes a difference if you heavily track 10-15 times a yr or only 3-4 times?

crease-guard

I talked to my guy yesterday and he said the heavy tracking does take a toll on the alternators. He suspected the face that the "Service Vehicle Soon" message would show up only on the long straights suggested the alternator was probably the culprit. Makes sense.

I did some searching and there's a great thread on this particular code I'm throwing. Love the forum. There's some diagnostic stuff I can do to narrow down the cause before I go replacing stuff *****-nilly.

Jay

victorf

One thing to keep in mind with life time warranty offers - no electrical component can last a life time. But if it is an brand name, built w/quality, it will last for a while longer with dependability - but, usually comes with just 1 year warranty on electrical components.

Take a look at the rebuilt, especially the electrical soldered connections, I can guaranteed they will have severe oxidation - clear case of amateurish work done.

One thing good about Life Time Warranty is - If you don't mind reworking, you can get another replacement.

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My recent experience:

1. My daughter's '96 Saturn, after two rebuilts w/life time from Checkers Auto - I'd paid the difference and upgraded to brand new AC/Delco alternator, still running good since '06.

2. Same car as above, GM discontinued mfg power steering pump w/EVO valve, I had no choice but to use rebuilt w/life time from Checkers - I'd finished last month on R/R for the second time due to leakage, only lasted a little over a year.

3. Same car, I did the clutch job two years ago after 160K miles, I'd choose OEM, no cheapo replacement. Although it was an easy job, trans gear box wasn't heavy, done on my back with only jack stands on the front.

4. Same car, rebuilt starter from Checkers failed twice, then upgraded to brand new in '07.

5. My GM Astro - after one failed experience in '02 with life time rebuilt from Checkers - no problem with upgraded brand new replacement since.

6. Same Astro - fuel injection spider w/life time from Checkers - failed twice - gave up the life time warranty, now at twice the price back to OEM. Working on Astro's fuel injection system is a PITA job.

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I do all my work, given me the choice, I would choose brand new unless I have no choice.

I've got better things to do then the inconvenience of reworks, just to save a few bucks. Aside from the possibility of getting stranded.

Its a no brainer, unless you never have the misfortune of my above experiences.

froggy47

Things with much labor like clutch etc, I would not do reman, but an alt is so easy to change, might be worth it.

victorf

Depend on year, alternator location on front wheel drive, both '96 Saturn and my '84 Honda are at the rear and my '11 Honda on the front. Rear location was not too bad, but still tight and no fun.

Corvette is easy breezy, but certainly an inconvenience. For me, track record on remans have not been good.

To each his own - you might remember my post, when - its time for you to claim your "Life Time" warranty.

froggy47

Check.

sothpaw2

I put AC delco re-mans on both of my firebirds back the late 90's-early 2000's. I never had any trouble with either. I put close to 60k mi on the V6 car after the alternator.

Maynor29

Underdrive pulley solved my problem with my LS2 alt. constantly burning out when zinged above 6500 rpm... Food for thought.

Oh yeah, autozone or eBay specials. Got a spare on the trailer but haven't needed it since the underdrive went on. That may be the real trick. Keep a spare as it wards off the bad luck failures.