A local mechanic told me to replace my alternator -- and NOT to buy a "cheap" one like, from AutoZone. Reason - the rebuild procedure used, and the electronics are "cheap", the electronics in the alternator might fail and feed back to and destroy the computer! True?? He recommends an alternator from NAPA - twice the price of AutoZone's - and with a warranty that's sure to be less. Well, I have a "replacement" Nippon alternator now, that lasted just 18 months and 10,000 miles. I don't know who to believe.

Then, should I buy a rebuild kit and just replace the electronics and try that? Decisions, decisions ...

POLL: Is it safe to buy electrical parts (alternator) from AutoZone?

TIA.

kb

 

As I said in the other post, I've had some nasty stuff happen with AutoZone parts. I forget what brand their alternators are, but it's not the same one that the other local parts stores carry.. I suggest looking at Pep Boys, Napa, Oreilly's, etc...

 

An alternative I have used on my other cars is having the current alternator rebuilt through a firm that specializes in that sort of thing. For one, you wind up saving some dough and still retain your stock alternator.

 

I have a friend who works at AutoZone, and even HE doesn't buy their parts. Something to think about...

 

For an alternator, I would only get a Nissan, from Nissan (new or rebuilt). Anything else and you'll be replacing them every year or two.

 

CRAP... thanks for saying this now geez after i buy my alternator from there like a month ago... oh well, it loked fine hehe and it comes witha LIFETIME warrenty, so crap i dunno we'll see how it goes i guess.....

 

I've been lucky. I have had the same alternator from Auto Zone for over 4 years. It was first on my '87 max, then after it was totaled, my "new" '89 needed an alternator so I switched them. Still working, but remember, you can always buy it and take it back for a full refund due to the lifetime warrenty untill you can afford something better. But, unless you're doing the work yourself, I wouldn't bet on an A-Z lifetime warrenty for anything because it may need to be changed often such as, clutch, brakes, even electronics. Advance is the same, just different brand names, but same "high quality."

 

Thanks. I was attracted to them because their Service is GREAT - free testing - and their warranty - SUPER - lifetime! But, if their parts are no good, I can't risk them in my hi-tech automobile! I can barely afford to replace an alternator for $ 210 - $ 350 but a COMPUTER?! NOT!

kb

 

I DID buy the last alternator from Nissan - it lasted 18 months/10000 miles. For $350 plus labour that STINKS! From the posts so far, I'm going to cross AutoZone off my list.

Thanx, guys!!

kb

 

only thing that i would buy from them is electrical tape and crap like that, anything over 10 dollars, i would buy from pep boys. i hate o reilly's, i have my reasons...grrr

 

"If you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it garunteed, I will, I got spare time."

"They know all they sold you was a garunteed piece of ****."
-Tommy Boy

 

shut up shut up shut up!!! i cant take it! everyones dissin my part haha. Now i feel dumb for buyin my alternator there...oh well so it dies i get anohter freee and all i gotta do is waste my time replacing it, until it dies again. but knock on wood it will last a while

 

It depends on what you are going for.
If you are going for something jsut to replace it, then go for stock Nissan or Napa.
If you are powering the car, plus high powered fog/driving lights, plus high powered stereo...then spend the bucks and get a high output unit from a custom shop.
If you are powering a monster stereo, then the custom route is definitely the way to go (short of installing a generator in the trunk....which I have seen done.)

 

I bought my alternator from autozone. Since I was completly broke and needed it ASAP, it was a good idea to get it there. If I had the extra money to spend on an OEM one, I probably would have. Autozone uses Duralast alternators. Even though the quality may be less than OEM, you still get what you pay for or what you can afford. My mechanic didnt want me to get it from Autozone, but I didnt want to spend $350 for him to get one and put it in. I spent $70 on the one from autozone, and I now have a working alternator. I may need to replace it sometime in the future, but that doesnt mean any more $$ out of my pocket. I wouldnt buy exhaust parts from them though.

By the way, Brandon Nice fogs. They kinda look familiar (dont worry your secret is safe with me )

 

hehehehe...oh yea! i bought my fogs at autozone too!!! 20 bucks! they havent broken or died on me yet hehehehe. well, i gotta admit, they have good prices on their auto parts

and like you said, if the alternator dies, its no more money out of my pocket.