2 finals and a paper due today and my alt died.
 

Well I should have said is in the process of dieing. Isn't it amazing that these things always pick the worst times to come up? :rolleyes:

Anyway the bearings are going out it started this morning and now is pretty bad. I will borrow my moms car tomarrow, and the day after ect. (thanks mom) So now I need to find a new alternator, I priced out the following:

Fastlane $210 and I can have it by Thursday but no warranty.
Autozone $201 and a lifetime warranty but it will take a few days.
Or get it rebuilt, no warranty probably a few days, say Friday I will get it back. Also around $200 probably.

I am thinking Autozone, I might be able to get it by Friday.

not just the voltage regulator? 'couple 'a screws....

I had the reverse today, by a miracle. Got a new wholesale account for my business, found out I get Steelers tickets for next week's game (from a player, no less), wife won a gift certificate that bought us free dinner, was comp'd for lunch out of gratitude for repeat business... and this on top of getting euro headlights in an even trade for US headlights for the '85, getting the euro plugs same day (thanks ajcrowe!), and finding a euro plug cap in a boneyard yesterday! Now, if I can only make it to pittsburgh and back without incident, all my holiday wishes will come true.

Hope you get it working!!
k

FYI Hatterasguy, there's never a good time for car problems. :inquisiti
No question go with the warranty. I too support Fastlane when possible, but you need to get you a warranty.
Jimmy

try a rebuilder
 

Hatterasguy,

I have had very good luck with auto electric rebuilders. The alt on my 83 GTI went bad. VW wanted $350, Napa $260, rebuilder about $80. They replaced brushes, diodes and bearings in 1 day. Then you know it fits back in.

Chuck

$200 is shocking for an alternator.
If you are sure it is bearings, fine, but I would have a look at the brushes first.
I took mine to Alternators Unlimited, in Berkeley, and they swapped me for a rebuilt for $85.
I had trouble with it a year later, and it was the brushes, $15. Still works fine 3 years later.
Getting yours rebuilt is an excellent idea. Just shop around for the old fashioned Pops rebuild places.
They know how to do it best.

I agree....I have been one of the rebuilders!

To check on a quality rebuild, look at the non-pulley end of the housing and make sure it has a new bearing in it.
Also the regulator/brushes SHOULD be new, espically if yours is going out.
Other than a front bearing (which you cannot see but if they pulled the pully off (look for marks on the nut) the rest is pretty much broken or working fine...no grey area.

I would rebuild it for you but you are a ways away *shug*
Hope you get that stuff turned in.
I got shafted by the wrecking yard today so we both aren't fairing well
;)

Sorry Hattie, I feel your pain. I replaced my altenator last month, and it happened to me out on the road. I bought the Bosch Altenator for about $190.00 here, but I had to have it installed. All said and done. $285.00.

Heck we worry about our #14 head and we can't go from point A to B without an altenator.

Hatty!

Upgrade it to a higher output... like the 143 or 150 AMP....

That's my next project...

What the heck is going on with your car ? Well, now since I said something mine will break down. Anyway, I hope you fix it and get it going again.

Crazy question... You ever look into a 300D or anything like that or maybe a 240D manual ?

Kamil

The alt is charging fine, but the bearings are dieing. I took the belt off last night and spun it just to make sure. I didn't think bearings died that fast? I only put 50 miles on it from the time the noise started.

I just ordered one from Autozone (sorry Fastlane)
$199.99+ $50 core charge and $6 to get it by Friday. So $206 plus tax isn't to bad. Bosch is Bosch so hopfully the quality is decent, it has a lifetime warranty anyway so I'm covered.

kamil I know this thing is starting to get to me two. I will see how the next few months go. A car payment would be cheaper, I am thinking late 90's E320.

michakaveli a lot of people have had problems with these alts but mine seems to keep up fine. I never have had the light come on. I think the stock one is 70 or 75 amps.

Hattie I drove a 199 300D Turbo the other day, 130k miles. All I can say, Nice! The price tag was $21,500. at the dealer.

Their asking to much $18k maybe is a better price. I like the diesels and if (big if) I do decide to get a newer one I would prefer a diesel. But I won't pay a premium for a diesel when I can get the same car with a gas engine but with 50k+ less miles for the same price. $22k could get you a sub 50k mile E320 heck maybe even in the 30k range if you shop a little.