Alternator replacement

[CL8]

Is $450 a fair cost for replacing an alternator on a '91 Ford Escort?

[jdl]

What year--make--model? How much for the alternator itself? If you do the work yourself, the alternator is the only cost.

[CL8]

Originally Posted by jdl

What year--make--model? How much for the alternator itself? If you do the work yourself, the alternator is the only cost.

'91 ford escort

DIY is not an option for me.

Thanks, cl8

[jdl]

The labor I looked at was around an hour. Different shops charge different labor rates. Call around to different shops ask for an estimate. The cost of the alternator can differ from discount alternator to name brand alternator. The name brand alternator can over two hundred bucks. The discount alternator less.

Call around, some shops charge 100 bucks an hour for labor, some shops charge less.

[curtis73]

$450 sounds like rape. I figure $100 tops for a brand new top-of-the-line alternator and $100 labor. Auto Zone has them for $109

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by curtis73

$450 sounds like rape. I figure $100 tops for a brand new top-of-the-line alternator and $100 labor. Auto Zone has them for $109

i agree $450 is way high when theres only to take belt off and the bolts to hold it on they think your going to pay it so by all means call around then call them back and tell them the lowest price you get i bet they change there tune and will lower it but say no thanks tell them you should've gave you the right price in the begining if they knew it wasn't a option for you and that's how they pray on people such as yourself.

good luck..

[CL8]

OK, here is the break down of cost ( I did have them fix it, otherwise I would have had to get it towed someplace else)

Dignostics vehicle inspection to confirm the problem: $89.95

Labor for removing and installing alternator: $96.25

1 refurbished alternator: $$230.55

other parts: 9.67

coupon - 25.00
= 413.17



did I get financially raped or not?

Thanks,
Cl8

[vgames33]

Diag fee is a tad high, and that alternator is pretty pricy. Does it say who made it?

[shorod]

For where I live, you paid at least $100 more than it should have cost according to Repair Price Estimator. The one time I used a shop to perform work, the price I paid came out below the low end of the estimate from this site.

-Rod

[CL8]

That "Repair Price Estimator" looks like a great tool! Thanks Shorod!

for my area the estimate was $275-344 w/o diagnostics.

my cost came out just at the high end for this

So is $89.95 reasonable for diagnostics test, and will some mechanics fore go the diagnostics if you know what the problem is ? I told him I believed it was the alternator.

Thanks
Cl8

[CL8]

Originally Posted by vgames33

Diag fee is a tad high, and that alternator is pretty pricy. Does it say who made it?

I didn't even check or ask, but that seemed high to me being refurbished.

[shorod]

Compared with the "diagnostic fee" some shops charge for connecting a scan tool to the OBD-2 port and checking for codes, the diagnostic fee isn't all that unreasonable. But, like checking for diagnostic codes, the shop doesn't have to do much to perform the diagnosis. I doubt they do more than connect a meter to the battery to check static voltage, then voltage with the engine running, voltage with the headlights on, and maybe even load test the battery. If they have "advanced" tools they may even check the conductance of the battery to make sure the alternator didn't fail due to a bad battery. Assuming these checks point to an alternator as the issue, they'll check the condition of the battery cables when they disconnect them to start the alternator removal process.

Also like the OBD-2 diagnostics, many of the chain auto parts stores will diagnose the charging system for free as well. I wonder if the shop would have still charged the diagnostic fee if you came in and said, "Please change my alternator, I have already diagnosed it." In their defense, I'd think either they would or they would itemize on your bill that the alternator was changed per customer diagnosis in the event it turned out not to be the sole issue. I suspect they would have gone through the same diagnostic steps either way though as they only take about 5 minutes.

-Rod

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by CL8

OK, here is the break down of cost 413.17

did I get financially raped or not?

Sorry to say but yes you did,
However, sometimes you do not have a choice in the matter.
You were (as Curly would say), a victim of circumstance..

[CL8]

Originally Posted by Blt2Lst

Sorry to say but yes you did,
However, sometimes you do not have a choice in the matter.
You were (as Curly would say), a victim of circumstance..

so, Blt2Lst,

What would you say is a reasonable cost for an alternator, just where was I ripped off the most?

thanks,
Cl8

[Blt2Lst]

Originally Posted by CL8

so, Blt2Lst,
What would you say is a reasonable cost for an alternator,Cl8

If you were to go buy one yourself, between $125- $200 (check rockauto.com)
$230 was not to bad for a shop.

Originally Posted by CL8

so, Blt2Lst,
just where was I ripped off the most?

Diagnostics and labor seem high to me IMHO
Diagnosing a alternator takes about 5 minutes and actual labor to replace was probably 1/2 hour but you were charged a hour +.

Just for fun, call the ford dealer and ask what they would charge, you may find you got a good deal after all..