Bad luck with Autozone Reman Alternators? - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

Honduh · 07-16-2011, 09:46 PM

I've been chasing a flickering alternator light for about a week now. It mainly does it at idle with a load on the electrical system like headlights/air conditioning. The weird thing is I'm getting 14.4v at the battery with the damn light on sometimes. And when the light isn't on I sometimes get 12.9(battery voltage), weird.

I've replaced the alternator twice with reman's from autozone, new battery, checked all my grounds, and ohm'ed out every wire for the charging system and everything has tested good.

I think I've narrowed it down to either a short to ground between the charge light and alternator, which I really don't think it is because its a dim light. OR these Autozone Remans are absolute garbage, causing me to go insane.

Has anyone else ever experienced a similar problem like this?

SpendOne · 07-17-2011, 10:26 AM

I have used reman'd alts from Autozone and the boys. I maybe had 2 failures within the last 9 years.

rocknrace03 · 07-17-2011, 10:34 AM

i work at autozone, its hit or miss, some stuff is garbage others is great, when i buy stuff i usually just go with the gold stuff, guaranteed for life and usually work good, try trading in your alternator and upgrading to a duralast gold? idk i've had customers say they never had a problem and sometimes they're in what seems like every other day. you may even be able to demand an upgrade for free if you do it nicely enough and the manager actually cares about thier job...

Supraru · 07-17-2011, 01:26 PM

Not sure when people will learn to just buy when it comes to things like this especially when you work in the field. When it comes to cheaper parts you can get some luck. Most of the times you have to replace it many times till you find one that works. I know someone who went through 3 starters before he got one that did its job. You have to get those parts blessed to work properly.

Spawne32 · 07-17-2011, 01:30 PM

my alt used to charge at 11.8 with the headlights and rear defroster on, replaced it and now at full load its like 12.5v, normally charges at 13.9-14.5. Got mine from maniac electric motors in dallas texas. Re-manufactured, but high quality none the less. Also, i upgraded the main grounds on my car to 2awg at the battery and 4awg on the engine and trans, but it would probably help to upgrade the posi side too.

Honduh · 07-17-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supraru

Not sure when people will learn to just buy when it comes to things like this especially when you work in the field. When it comes to cheaper parts you can get some luck. Most of the times you have to replace it many times till you find one that works. I know someone who went through 3 starters before he got one that did its job. You have to get those parts blessed to work properly.

Yea I guess I should know better than to use aftermarket alternators, but I've had good luck in the past with them. I think I may try to get a used OEM alternator from the yard and have it tested before throwing it on. And if that fixes it Autozone is going to get a alternator through their front window.

Spawne32 · 07-17-2011, 06:51 PM

other then body panels, ive never bought OEM anything before, especially mechanical parts and ive never had an issue, the problem with re-manufactured alternators is that certain re-manufacturing companys are just absolute junk, worldcraft or advance auto parts or autozone house brands like that generally suck ass because they cut corners everywhere to make them competitive. if you really insist on something better quality order one off of rockauto.com, i believe they sell OEM reman's by denso directly as well.

07-16-2011, 09:46 PM	#1
Honduh Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: May 2006 Member #1977 iTrader: (0)	Bad luck with Autozone Reman Alternators? I've been chasing a flickering alternator light for about a week now. It mainly does it at idle with a load on the electrical system like headlights/air conditioning. The weird thing is I'm getting 14.4v at the battery with the damn light on sometimes. And when the light isn't on I sometimes get 12.9(battery voltage), weird. I've replaced the alternator twice with reman's from autozone, new battery, checked all my grounds, and ohm'ed out every wire for the charging system and everything has tested good. I think I've narrowed it down to either a short to ground between the charge light and alternator, which I really don't think it is because its a dim light. OR these Autozone Remans are absolute garbage, causing me to go insane. Has anyone else ever experienced a similar problem like this?

07-17-2011, 10:26 AM	#2
SpendOne Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NE Philly Member #144 My Ride: 1987 Mazda RX7 LQ4 Turbo iTrader: (6)	I have used reman'd alts from Autozone and the boys. I maybe had 2 failures within the last 9 years. __________________ 1993 GSX - 10.8@135 Stock motor & Trans - SOLD 1987 Mazda RX7 Single turbo LQ4 - 9.2@150 - SOLD 1980 Ford Fairmont 4Dr LQ4 Turbo AGAIN

07-17-2011, 01:26 PM	#4
Supraru Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pa Member #1745 My Ride: 1999 Subaru Impreza 2.5 Rs iTrader: (1)	Not sure when people will learn to just buy when it comes to things like this especially when you work in the field. When it comes to cheaper parts you can get some luck. Most of the times you have to replace it many times till you find one that works. I know someone who went through 3 starters before he got one that did its job. You have to get those parts blessed to work properly. __________________ 99' Sti

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07-17-2011, 10:34 AM	#3
rocknrace03 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Schnecksville Pa Member #17593 My Ride: WRX iTrader: (2)	i work at autozone, its hit or miss, some stuff is garbage others is great, when i buy stuff i usually just go with the gold stuff, guaranteed for life and usually work good, try trading in your alternator and upgrading to a duralast gold? idk i've had customers say they never had a problem and sometimes they're in what seems like every other day. you may even be able to demand an upgrade for free if you do it nicely enough and the manager actually cares about thier job...

07-17-2011, 01:30 PM	#5
Spawne32 Tri-State Addict Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South Jersey Member #20424 My Ride: 95 Acura Integra iTrader: (0)	my alt used to charge at 11.8 with the headlights and rear defroster on, replaced it and now at full load its like 12.5v, normally charges at 13.9-14.5. Got mine from maniac electric motors in dallas texas. Re-manufactured, but high quality none the less. Also, i upgraded the main grounds on my car to 2awg at the battery and 4awg on the engine and trans, but it would probably help to upgrade the posi side too.

07-17-2011, 06:51 PM	#7
Spawne32 Tri-State Addict Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South Jersey Member #20424 My Ride: 95 Acura Integra iTrader: (0)	other then body panels, ive never bought OEM anything before, especially mechanical parts and ive never had an issue, the problem with re-manufactured alternators is that certain re-manufacturing companys are just absolute junk, worldcraft or advance auto parts or autozone house brands like that generally suck ass because they cut corners everywhere to make them competitive. if you really insist on something better quality order one off of rockauto.com, i believe they sell OEM reman's by denso directly as well.