In Reply to: Re: altenator, mike in KC [Profile/Gallery] , Mon, 7 Feb 2005 21:18:56

Before assuming it's better to REPLACE an alternator, if brushes or brush-regulator combo will fix it I'd stick with the Bosch original before I'd put some rebuilt piece of junk in it.
First you don't know the prior life of the rebuilt, it could have been submerged in salt water for weeks before they fished the car up and sent it to the junkyard.
Second, they tank these things in acid to clean them up, I believe sometimes windings and all, with potential leaks through varnish and corrosion/short circuit possibilities.
Third, they routinely replace the bearings, but with the cheapest junk they can buy, whereas Bosch original bearings are very robust and failure even at incredible miles is rare. Ditto the regulator-brush gear - - not necessarily as good as what you'd be replacing in your own alternator if that's all that's wrong with it.
Yeah that nice clean new-looking unit is tempting, but it's just cast-finish spray paint. Remember, beauty is only skin deep, and it's fleeting. It's a rare rebuilt that looks good in six months.
So I'd say inspect your brushes and if they're the culprit it will be sort of obvious, way short. Then buy a Bosch brush-regulator set.
I once had brushes that were stuck in their holes by packed carbon dust.
Sometimes you can gain a little life by stretching the springs if you're in an emergency situation.
A 90-day, six-month, one year or even lifetime warranty is nothing you'll appreciate when you're out there replacing the darn thing in short time.

posted by 64.223.239...

• altenator, aldo, Mon, 7 Feb 2005 20:50:46
  • Re: altenator prolly fried diodes, JohnK, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 09:39:02
  • Ground wire?, Tino, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 07:45:47
  • Re: altenator, Ari , Tue, 8 Feb 2005 05:12:33
  • Re: altenator, Gary, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 04:01:24
  • Re: altenator, mike in KC , Mon, 7 Feb 2005 21:18:56
    • Re: alternator, RayF, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 06:00:31 <-- Viewing This Message
      • alternator dash lights on at first, Tino, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 07:51:52
        • You have to excite the diodes, whitesaab, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 12:58:14
        • Re: alternator dash lights on at first, Bill U, Tue, 8 Feb 2005 10:27:36

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