I have a 2000 Nissan Altima GXE. I need to replace the Alternator for my vehicle. When I checked with my Nissan dealer they estimated it to be $430 expense( $280 for part with life time warranty and $150 for labor charges).I’m not in a position to spend such big amount.I want to know the cheapest way to do it.If I buy the part how much would be the labor charge to fix it?
OK, first, don’t have the work done at the dealership. They will almost always charge you a good deal more than an independent mechanic.
Second, it’s going to depend largely on the mechanic how much you’ll pay for labor if you bring the part. Some of them charge a little more for labor because they aren’t profiting off the part. Some don’t.
buy a repair manual for your vehicle, and a tool set. buy the alternator from a parts store. call around for the best price, parts prices vary from one store to another. remove and replace it yourself. I dont know about your specific car, it may have a serpentine belt, and that might make it more difficult, but it is not impossible if you have even a moderate ablility for mechanical work. this is the least expensive way to go, but will take up some of your time. when you are done, you still have the tools and can use them for other jobs in the future.
You don’t have to buy a NEW alternator either. Get a rebuilt one. I’ve NEVER had a problem with any rebuilt alternator.
Seconded.
Find An Established Well Reputed Auto Electric Shop Or Two. Give Them A Call. Many Can Rebuild Or Repair Alternators And Often At A Fraction Of The Replacement Cost.
Some of these “specialist” repair shops work only on the components that are brought in to them and others will also work with your car and test, remove, and install the components once they have them functioning properly.
Many auto repair shops and auto parts stores have only the option of selling you a whole replacement alternator, but that’s often overkill when one (" . . . not in a position to spend such big amount.") needs bearings, brushes, or diodes to get back on the road.
CSA
You should be aware that a shop (at least one with any common sense) may not want to install a part that a customer brings in.
The shop has no way of knowing anything about this alternator as to where it came from, whether the customer is even telling the truth about the provider, whether it’s a fried unit that a customer has already botched during a repair, etc, etc. not to mention the shop may not even like using parts from the source that the customer acquired the alt. from.
So let me ask this. If a shop installs this alternator that you buy and it turns out to be no good, fails within 3 days or 3 months, etc. you aren’t going to go back and blame them while expecting a freebie are you?
Are you prepared to sign a disclaimer absolving them of any responsibility not only for the alternator itself but any diagnostics that may or may not correct?
You should realize that there are a few things that can cause an alternator to refuse to charge without the alt. itself being faulty.
So if you buy an alternator and have a shop install it on the basis of what you say that someone diagnosed what are you going to do if the alternator still doesn’t charge after installation? See the minefield here?