Hello, I'm wondering if anybody has replaced their Alternator and how tough of a job it was. I was just quoted 290$ for the Alternator and 125$ for install.
The local parts store has one for 75$.
I'm generally good mechanically I just like to avoid multi day projects or ones that require removing 9 pieces of equipment to get to the one you need.
Is this a good DIY? Thanks for any comments.

 

welcome, please read the FAQs

there is a site in one of them that tells how to replace your alternator (autozone and bryan's site)


but yeah, it isn't too bad at all

 

the job is smwhere between airfilter - sparkplugs change

But do not leave it there: add on a extra gnd wire from alternator shroud to chassis gnd to keep u on the road. And while u are on it, check all groundings:
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/748507/10

 

^^ Loves his grounds.

I sell alternators

 

Love u shop - but like dentist, make all possible excuses to steer away :)

Good gnd: no burned regulators, no drained batt, no jumpstarts... better build always on solid gnd.

 

I definately need to do my grounds. If it wasn't soo cold though.

 

Actually cold weather helps: the warmer a connection is, the less current will flow through. In oxidized connections, there might be significant difference just on weather change. Add this variable to the minuscle sensor voltage differences that ECU desperately tries to figure out, deciding constanly fluctuating yes/no error treshold level...

Btw friends; Have u ever given ride to a lady who cannot decide her destination (=fluctuating yes/no error treshold level)? --->'My ECU' jumped to safe mode...