New or Re-built Alternator?

Travis_R · Mar 29, 2006

97' Mahindra 485 DI

Don't know the price on getting mine re-built, but the new one is $125.00 plus tax and shipping from my Mahindra dealer. He said that he has it in stock.

Should I go new, or get the old one re-built??? How long should I expect the the rebuilt one to last??? Should my choice be made on the price difference between the two??

Thanks,
Travis

BobG_in_VA · Mar 29, 2006

Call a couple of auto-electric shops in your area. Should be able to rebuild for about $60 or so. BobG in VA

JerryG · Mar 30, 2006

<font color="blue"> How long should I expect the the rebuilt one to last? </font>
That really can't be answered. The reason is because it all depends on how the shop rebuilt the unit. Some just replace the defective part and others completely go through everything.

dieselsmoke1 · Mar 30, 2006

I've had as good luck with local shop rebuilts for starters, alternators, etc. as with the new stuff at the parts house. Ask around, most folks with bad experiences want to give the seller his money's worth of advertising.

Willman · Mar 30, 2006

Usually its just the internal voltage regulator module that goes bad.
The windings only go bad if there is some sort of a short, which rarely happens.

CT_Tree_Guy · Mar 30, 2006

Travis -

As Jerry said, how long the rebuilt lasts depends on the rebuilder. If it's done right, a rebuilt should last just as long as a new one. A good rebuild would include new brushes, bearings, diodes and probably the internal regulator. I'd just go with whatever is cheaper, and I have a feeling you can do better than $125 having yours rebuilt at an auto electric shop.

John

Bird · Mar 31, 2006

Way back when my Dad owned an auto parts store, the rebuilt ones we sold had the same guarantee as new ones, and were ever bit as good as the new ones.

JerryG · Mar 31, 2006

There are two parts houses in the small town that I live close to. If you buy rebuilts at one, they will last as good as new. If you buy at the other place, you will be buying again in a year or less.

Travis_R · Apr 6, 2006

PROBLEM FIXED!!!!

Well, the answer to my question is NO the alternator was not charging. Why??????? BECAUSE OF A SIMPLE BLOWN BULB!! The charge light indicatior bulb was blown. Of course I didn't know it at the time.

My dealer Mike (Singleton Sales & Service in Franklinton, LA) told me to check the bulb. If its blown, for some reason the charging system won't work.

He was right.....Went to Autozone and bought a pack of 2 for $8.00 and now my charging problem is over.

THANKS TO MIKE AND EVERYONE ON TRACTOR BY NET.

If I did have to choose between a new or re-built alternator, I would have had mine re-built- just from reading the posts on this thread.

THANKS AGAIN,
Travis

Clyde · Apr 7, 2006

Mike from Singleton Sales - I have to reiterate Travis's thank-you for the advice. The dealers that respond in this forum are not only out there for the sales but they really want to help out if they can. I never had this problem but I have the info safely stored away just in case it happens to me. $8 bucks is a whole lot cheaper than a new alternator for $125 and even then it would not have fixed the problem. Thanks - Clyde