Lights been dimming and car shuts off after starting for acouple seconds, while im driving it feels like the steering wheel is gonna lock up and stall any minute (like it has before). People are saying I need a new alternator so I checked out ebay and was wondering if I should go 4 the used one for $50 shipped or a new one for $190 shipped?

 

Ick. That sucks.

My vote is to get a new one. The $140 is worth the extra little bit of insurance that you won't have to deal with this crap again.

 

You could always get a rebuilt one

 

alternators arent the easiest nor quickest to get out. I wouldnt put an used one in, especially not knowing how much life could be left in.

Go with a new one or rebuilt one with lifetime warantee.

 

Get a new one from O'Reilly's they give you a lifetime warranty with your receipt.

 

i got mine from napa, its brand new, but only a year warranty. Cost me around $160 or so. Make sure that you get the right ampage. I went to pepboys, and they had like 90 amps, i was like..uhhh...don't u have anything with more amps? they told me no, so i went to napa n got the 130 amp. But i would just save the hassle and go to a store. Could be a pain if the alternator didn't work quite well from e-bay

 

Man I would get a new one. When my alternator went out, i bought a reman from autozone. Never really had a problem with their parts......until this one. It rattles like crazy, bought it about 1 year ago, took it off twice to look at it, tryed to take it back and autozone said they wouldn't give me a replacement (it has lifetime warrenty supposedly when i bought it). they said if it was doing its job then i can't exchange. Anyways, get a new one. also i was just looking at the write up on changing an alternator. It says to take off the fan shroud and bring the alternator up threw the top. All three times i changed (took off) mine, I did it from underneath, moving the air conditioning compressor to the side. I also used bungie cords to hold the compressor out of the way and to keep the alternator in position. Anyway good luck. Sorry for the long shpeel, first time being able to post and feel like i REALLY know about this one lol

 

Get a new or rebuilt unit from parts store with a lifetime warranty. That used one might fail after a week and then you just wasted 50 bucks.

 

I got ripped off already on getting my Alternator fixed when mine died. I did not know about the RECALL. Ended up spending $410 to get it done from Sears Auto.

What a ripp off!

Just google on 1997 Maxima Recall