What kind of luck have you all had with remanufactured alternators from OReillys/Autozone/Advance?

I bought a remanufactured Delco Remy one and it didn't work so I returned it. I would really like to buy a new one rather than a remanufactured one but can't seem to find any locally. Where can I get a new one?

I don't necessarily want to buy online cuz if it has issues warrantying it will be a pita, but I am open to that idea nevertheless.

My 96 Z28 has a stereo system (2 subs/2 amps/CD changer) and underdrive pulley. I am pretty sure it had the stock alternator along with all that for the past 4 years so I don't think I need a high output one although it couldn't hurt.

 

I got a reman. parts store alternator and haven't had any problems with it. It has a liftetime warranty as well.

 

yeah i usually have good luck with them and if not the warranty takes care of it

are you sure the alt is the problem

 

I see no problem

 

DO NOT BUY ONE FROM ADVANCE!!!! They have the worst parts when it comes to electrical stuff.The autozone duralast gold ones are very good. They have better low rpm output as well as way fewer problems then most others. The regular duralast line is pretty good but I would definately go with the gold if it is available. The shop I work in sees a lot of alts and the advance ones always have problems within a year. Also avoid bosch alts.

 

I've never bought one for either of my Camaro's but I have bought one from Advanced for my 98 4cyl S10. It lasted about 2 days and I had to replace it under warranty. The second one has been fine for about a year now.

 

Thanks for the help so far. Good to know Autozone's could be decent. OReillys is the cheapest I've come across. I'm looking at high output Powermaster alternators too cuz they apparently put out 125 amp at idle and 200 max. I don't really want to buy it online though in case there are problems.

About 5 months ago when I started the car the check gauges light came on and the battery was right above the red area rather than at 3/4 like usual. I had the car in storage a lot this winter and when I took it out I do a lot of highway driving which would bring the needle up to the 3/4 mark. I decided maybe it was normal for it to fall to the area right above the red at stoplights although if memory serves it used to fall to the halfway point not right above the red.

I recently took it out of storage for good and when I started it it would be at 3/4 sometimes and others it would be right above the red and the check gauges light would be on. It started being right above the red more and more and it also started not always going to 3/4 when I was on the gas. Last week it went all the way down to practically the bottom of the red and the stereo shut off... I got it into the garage shut it off and recharged the battery. Then I took it out later and it did the same thing. The alternator also makes noise when I spin it out of the car and I was hearing some noise from inside the car the last couple times I drove it.. even heard some noise from in the car with the new rebuilt alternator that didn't make noise while spinning it outside the car not sure why.

When I bought the new remanufactured one the first time I started it it was at the top of the red area and the check gauges light was on. I took it out and it never went up to the 3/4 line while on the gas. I drove it up to Autozone and had them test the battery and alternator and it was about 12v.. the alternator was not charging it at all. Battery was good. It did not actually get any lower than right above the red which I thought was odd but it's a relatively short drive to autozone and I charged the battery all the way. Here's a pic of my engine bay as of a couple days ago.

 

I was doin some research here and LS1tech and it sounds like people have a lot of problems with Autozone/Advance alternators as well as others.

I bought the Delco Remy one from a Chevy dealership thinking the dealership was my best hope for a good one. It was an "alternate choice" or whatever it cost $162. They also had one that cost $299 that's apparently rebuilt by GM themselves.

Autozone and Advance have a "brand new" Remy one for $178 lifetime warranty.. but 3 dealerships said that Delco Remy doesn't make a new one. The one they sold me would have had a lifetime warranty if they installed it. So I have doubts that the one Autozone/Advance sells is really new although I'm thinkin I might try it.

 

My car keeps killing my autozone rem alternator (just killed my 4th) anytime I floor it. Not sure why this is happening but I hate autozones alternators with a passion.

 

I bought a Delco Remy from an authorized AC Delco dealer in 2000 and had no problems...