Reman alternators are JUNK!

scottydl · Dec 29, 2019

I'm now on my 3rd remanufactured 100-amp alternator from Advance Auto in the past 2 years. They don't sell anything new that is a direct fit for my '95 Suburban. I bought their Carquest version (lifetime warranty) to replace OEM that failed, and driving home one day the battery light came on. Thought it was the old battery but turns out the alternator was putting out 0 current, even though it was spinning freely and had no signs of age/strain. Replaced it and the same thing happened a couple weeks ago, went from working perfectly fine to absolutely zero... I barely made it back to the store that day, battery voltage was super low and dash lights were dimming, tranny wouldn't shift right, all kinds of issues. Downgraded (price) to the house-brand Driveworks version, and it is the exact same unit as Carquest, same "Delco" markings and numbering, from the same factory in Malaysia. 1 year warranty instead of lifetime, but I don't care because if/when this one fails I'm done with this junk.

Good news is I can swap these things in/out in about 5 minutes now, if I have the right tools. I did the last one in the Advance Auto parking lot. The lead wire bolt was kinda seized onto the alternator so getting that loose was the only difficult part.

Is there a new AC Delco (or other trusted brand) direct-fit version that is recommended, and has a higher output than stock 100-amp? When I have all the electronics going, the voltage needle really starts dipping sometimes... so I'd like to upgrade if possible.

someotherguy · Dec 29, 2019

Look for a real starter and alternator rebuilder near you.

And be sure to check the pigtail...they get worn, loose, pins cooked or oxidized. Before assuming the alt is bad, next time give the pigtail a wiggle and see if the alt kicks in. You'll hear it load down and start charging if this is the case.

Also, when your battery is drained you should charge it fully with a standalone charger first so you don't strain your new alternator. Generally they're meant to top off and maintain a battery, not change a dead one.

Richard

98 Nitro · Dec 29, 2019

I just bought the standard ACDelco 105 amp one from Amazon a couple years ago, Seems to be the same quality as original equipment.

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454cid · Dec 29, 2019

I've had no issues with my AC Delco reman, but it went through the rebuild process over 10 years ago, so things could have changed since then. It now has more miles than the original it replaced. It's a 140amp CS144, which would swap in place of you alternator, but I'm not sure it's a drop in.... may need some modifications to work. Also there are people that use the newer AD244, from the GMT-800 trucks.

letitsnow · Dec 29, 2019

It looks like Rock Auto sells a new ac delco for you truck for $75.

Crookedaxle · Dec 29, 2019

scottydl said:
I'm now on my 3rd remanufactured 100-amp alternator from Advance Auto in the past 2 years. They don't sell anything new that is a direct fit for my '95 Suburban. I bought their Carquest version (lifetime warranty) to replace OEM that failed, and driving home one day the battery light came on. Thought it was the old battery but turns out the alternator was putting out 0 current, even though it was spinning freely and had no signs of age/strain. Replaced it and the same thing happened a couple weeks ago, went from working perfectly fine to absolutely zero... I barely made it back to the store that day, battery voltage was super low and dash lights were dimming, tranny wouldn't shift right, all kinds of issues. Downgraded (price) to the house-brand Driveworks version, and it is the exact same unit as Carquest, same "Delco" markings and numbering, from the same factory in Malaysia. 1 year warranty instead of lifetime, but I don't care because if/when this one fails I'm done with this junk.

Good news is I can swap these things in/out in about 5 minutes now, if I have the right tools. I did the last one in the Advance Auto parking lot. The lead wire bolt was kinda seized onto the alternator so getting that loose was the only difficult part.

Is there a new AC Delco (or other trusted brand) direct-fit version that is recommended, and has a higher output than stock 100-amp? When I have all the electronics going, the voltage needle really starts dipping sometimes... so I'd like to upgrade if possible.

454 TBI's use a bassturd alternator. Good luck finding one at the boneyard. I never buy "rebuilt" alternators.

Here's my fiasco from last winter:

https://www.gmt400.com/threads/help-need-some-alternator-questions-answered.44087/

Supercharged111 · Dec 29, 2019

Reman anything is junk anymore. I had to run to multiple stored to get a water pump for the Camaro that would at least pass the eyeball test. Napa handed me an axle just as wallered out as the one I was giving them. My AutoZone alternator doesn't turn off when you unplug the regulator. All these fvcks care about is money money money and they're banking on you offing the car before their junk parts fail so it becomes someone else's problem.

Gary Mettus · Dec 30, 2019

My late father's 1990 K1500 had been sitting for four years without even being started so when I got it the alternator worked for a while but crapped out at only 45k miles. It was the smaller 80-100 amp CS130 alterntor and from what I read here and elsewhere I didn't seem to have a good option without making some modifications. I eventually found a direct replacement, Powermaster, through Summit Racing. It is rated 95-140 amps and came with a bench test tag showing 108-159 amp actual output. It cost $150 total, slipped right in and I haven't had an issue with it in 6 mo/5,000 miles.

sntrym · Dec 30, 2019

Supercharged111 said:
Reman anything is junk anymore. I had to run to multiple stored to get a water pump for the Camaro that would at least pass the eyeball test. Napa handed me an axle just as wallered out as the one I was giving them. My AutoZone alternator doesn't turn off when you unplug the regulator. All these fvcks care about is money money money and they're banking on you offing the car before their junk parts fail so it becomes someone else's problem.

This is the truest statement on the internet

54vicky · Dec 30, 2019

if you go with a higher output one(sounds like you need one)you will need different pulleys as higher output ones have an extra grove at least the ones I have seen

Reman alternators are JUNK!

scottydl

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someotherguy

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98 Nitro

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454cid

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letitsnow

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Crookedaxle

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Supercharged111

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Gary Mettus

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sntrym

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