alternator issues

ok i have 01 gt, i have underdrive pullys minus the alternator, when i first put them on i put all of them on, about a week later the alternator went out and i had to replace it well when i did i didnt put the pully on the new one, it has only been in the car about a year maybe a year and a half and the damn thing is not working again, am i missing something about the charge system or do i just need to go to a higher amp alternator, i dont have a stereo system or anything like that just HID head and fog lights no other electrical stuff to draw anything from it, so i am at a loss i would think they would last longer then a year.... someone help

It depends on where you got the alternator from. I have had bad luck with parts from the so called discount stores. You might try a more name brand store like Napa. They are a little more expensive, but I think in the long run it's worth paying a little more up front, than paying less and having to replace the parts more often.

If it was a rebuilt one then it's probably not going to last no mater where you got it from. Same thing with a brand new one. I tend to do most my parts shopping at Auto Zone... But that's because they give discounts to the Military.

Eturner wrote:If it was a rebuilt one then it's probably not going to last no mater where you got it from. Same thing with a brand new one. I tend to do most my parts shopping at Auto Zone... But that's because they give discounts to the Military.

I didn't want to mention the name of the store, But thats where most of my problems come from. I went thru 4 rotors, 6 sets of pads and 2 calipers from AutoZone. Then I bought a new caliper from Napa, Problem solved.

yeah i have heard of a lot of problems with alternators and fuel pumps from both autozone and advanced auto...

Funny. I've gotten pads, rotors, calipers, alternators, etc... All from Auto Zone and never had a problem. Seems like most places others have problems with I've always been able to skate through with out a scratch. And same for the other way around. My dad used to go to NAPA all the time until we both got jerked around. Espacially after I found the exact same part and brand at Auto Zone for less money. My thing really is that it's not really where you get the parts from it's actually the manufacturer of the part. A vender can't be held liable for a crapy brand.

thanks for the help guys i hate when something goes to crap on me like this and i just replaced it not that long ago... but i am getting warrantied from where i bought it so no money out of pocket for me this time

I found out the hard way that the warranty from AutoZone is only good for 2 times. Then they make you buy the next one again to get a new warranty.

Eturner wrote:A vender can't be held liable for a crapy brand.

yes and no, if they continue to carry the crappy brand then they should be held liable....

Shady wrote:

Eturner wrote:A vender can't be held liable for a crapy brand.

yes and no, if they continue to carry the crappy brand then they should be held liable....

How do you figure that?!?... Every store sells at least one brand that is no good!... Ever notice that when you go up to their parts counter for a new part that they have several brands for that same part come up?.. If you decide to get the part with a 90 day warenty verses the one with like a 2 year warranty... And the part craps out on you on like day 91... How would that be the venders fault?... You chose to get that part... If any thing it is partly your fault for buying crap... That and manufacturer of that part... But then again your getting some thing that has a 90 day warranty so that should tell you that no one has much faith in that part to begine with... Not the vender or even the manufacturer... Like the saying goes "You get what you pay for!.."

what i meant is i know a couple years ago they were notorious for fuel pumps that were DOA. If you have an issue with a vendors fuel pumps being DOA and you continue to stock them then it is an integrity issue on your part as well as the vendor...

And once agian if you are the one deciding to buy the cheap crap vs some thing of quality... Then how is it anyones fault other than your own?.. I know for a fact that Auto Zone sells parts from multiple different brands for any given part... Each brand has their own warranty... Next time you need a part then check that particular brands/parts warranty... If it has like a 90 day warranty then obviously it is going to be crap!... If a part/brand has like a 1, 2, or 3+ year warranty then obviously the manufacturer and vender have more faith in that part/brand!.. Any time I've needed a new part I have always gone to Auto Zone and got the part with a 2 year warranty (or more) and I've never had a problem... About 6 years ago my dad rebuilt the top half of an engine in a 1987 Delta 88 using parts that he got just from Auto Zone. Sticking with the brands that had a 2 or more year warranty... Car ran like it was new... Even places like Napa sells crap, it's just at a higher price... Lol

You guys sound like two old ladies arguing over whose blueberry pie is better! He wanted opinions about his alternator issue not who you thought had a quality product. He already bought one!

Ok, I hope I have the last word on this. I always buy all my parts with the LIFETIME WARANTY and the still went bad!