I have a bad alternator. The question I have is even though I can scrape the cash together to buy a reconditioned one, I am not real flush these days and was wondering; is it stupid to go pick one up at the pic a part? Does anyone have an opinion?

Thx in advance for any advise or comments.

Dru

hello
you may be able to find a good one at the JY.
even when i have a spare alternator and see another new one at the yard, i grab the voltage regulator.
when i am browsing the junkyards and see a new alternator, radiator, starter, ect. this is when i get the spares and shelf them.
when you need one you might have to settle for a old used one, or buy new or go the shelf for a like new part.
good luck
Mike

If the bearings are good you probably only need brushes, they can be replaced by removing the voltage regulator and soldering in new ones. Or buy a new Bosch voltage regulator for about $40. Junk yards are a good option just make sure the one you get has good brushes. Dan

Dan,

where did you get the brushes?

Ron

81 Bertone intercooled turbo , 92 940 turbo wagon, 84 (300k) dl wagon mint, 89 DL sedan 5 speed, 90 DL sedan, 85 GL sedan, 89 5 speed dl wagon (winter beater)

Either FCP Groton or eeuroparts.
Dan

I second Dan's advice about changing the brushes. I have brought 2 alternators back to life this way. Its a very easy 10 minute job and the alternator doesn't even have to be removed. Just looking at eEuro's website aftermarket ones are 20 and the Bosch ones 26.


http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartDetail.aspx?id=30093A

Beck Arnley carries the brushes and the regulator, as do most decent foreign auto parts places. For the price of admission and the time to go to a PYP you can find parts well worth the trouble, especially if the place is having a twofer day.
Paul