Hypothetically

New Alternator + Labor = how much?
New Starter + Labor = how much?

New Battery.. ill do this myself


Just wondering because it seems my power to my car dies every 2 days if i dont start it within those 2 days and when i do go to start it up i notice my lights all go dim for a sec when i turn the key..

what could it be ?

any help would be much appreciated as i am planning on taking the car in tomorrow for servicing.

 

I know a new alternator is like $230 and starter $210 (OEM rebuilt) as for labor I can't see both taking more than 3-4 hours @shop rate. I'd guess around $650-700. This is just a guess but seems reasonable to me I'd not be to pleased to pay any more than that. I'm sure you could get non-oem parts cheaper so it could be less. Just my guess.

 

Alternator = Non OEM $220
Starter = Non OEM $160

Depending on your mechanic and his magic nook ... $ 200+ on labor

Do it yourself it is really easy

 

Before you replace anything... go to AutoZone and have them test your battery and alternator for FREE.

 

this sounds like its more your battery or a drain then an alternator

 

+1 on the battery

 

Took my max to a well know auto shop and paid...
...$338 for alternator replacement and
...$287 for starter replacement. That's part, labor and tax.

If I had to replace my alternator the next time, I would try to do it myself. Not brave enough to do the starter though.

 

+1 on do it yourself .. read up ..its fairly simple and you and your car get some alone time together.

 

Why? Starter is easier than the alternator is...

 

Well the lights work. They light up just fine its just that i guess its not enough power to start the car and when I do get it to start, once i turn the key and my engine starts my light dim for a second...kinda funky.

I was just assuming it would be either an alternator, starter, battery or wiring issue but i have ruled out battery just because it runs strong if i manage to turn my car on within 48 hours.. anything past that and my car just wont start unless jumped.

I also noticed i took out my AMP and subs I had bought separately that were connected directly to the Battery and while driving my car has a lot more juice. Im not sure if that's even possible or if its all in my mind but the car actually runs great with the amp+sub cable off the battery...

 

but now that you said it could be my battery draining quick? ddnt know that was possible but its making me wonder about that. could this be possible?

---
By the way guys im in New York City. just moved here so i am not to sure where an autozone or advance auto would be out here. they were EVERYWHERE in FL!

 

so true

 

help

 

Ok,

Just got back from the Mech., and they tested my alt and that checked out fine.
they then tested battery and with car on it was 14'ish' but would drop to 12.8 ever few seconds for some reason. so they diagnosed it as a bad battery. hopefully nothing els is bad..

but FINALLY and HOPEFULLY my car will start when i want it to and not when it feels like it.

Though, i do notice sometimes on cold days when i turn my car on it makes some disgusting screeching sound and sometimes it wont make it when i turn the car on but when i start to move it will start screeching..really nasty! maybe just the belt or starter?

 

Its just a belt.

 

i recently did my alternator

i paid 260 and got 60 bucks back for the core at autozone....something close to that

My mechanic charged me 120 bucks to do the install.....

 

whoa 260 thats a pretty expensive part. i would hate to have it be that.
well my mech said it was the battery and wow hopefully that was it and he knocked it out in one shot.

I hate how mechs seem to be the only people that are professional but are never sure what something could be..ya know?

and not to throw my personal business out there, but im a tech I work with computers and if somethings bad I pretty much can identify it on the spot once it happends, if its not a completely random shutoff; and even then that's pretty easy to diagnose.. 8-]

 

120 bucks for install?

how long does this job take?
if its an hours worth of work or less than this is the most well paid guy in show business 120/hr haha but i guess you do what you have to.

 

AutoZone would has tested your battery and alt for Free. And... if you needed a battery they could have sold you one and installed it for FREE.

I am in in IT too, AS/400 System Analyst.

 

Buy a multimeter. 14.4 or so charging voltage. 12.0-12.8 battery voltage. If charging voltage is lower than that-alternaor. Vice-versa...battery.

 

ah omg i remember working with as400 it such bs sometimes but i guess a very well needed application for certain businesses..publishing etc,,well its not that bad
that along with msg is what i was an analyst for last summer

 

these guys basicly hooked up a machine with jump cables to my battery and maybe some other stuff i wasnt cofused much as i was talking to a friend.. but the machine popped up and came back with 14.4 and a onscreen pop up saying (Battery BAD!) and stuff. so they put a new one and i told them to test it again before i leave and they did.. this time it read (Battery OK!)

so hopefully its fixed..now im thinking i need new motor mounts.. they look bad $#!^

 

Trust it those high tech charging system testers are awesome and accurate! $ 120 is a decent price if I was doing the work for you as well! You probably had a bad cell or two inside the battery!