rebuilt alternator

I was having a problem with my 1998's charging system. The diagnostics were only reading 11.8 volts. The battery was the original (7 years old) and needed replaced. Now, the system is being diagnosed at 12.4 volts...still too low. Which means I probably need a new alternator. I will get it tested at AutoZone before I do anything.

I can't really afford a new one. So, I am looking at having it rebuilt -- assuming I can get it out (not looking forward to that) and have got price quotes from $55 all the way up to $125. Is there anything that I need to be aware of in getting an alternator rebuilt? The large price range has me a bit worried.

I would get the rebuilt one from Autozone that has the best warranty or I guess what you can afford, it should have a lifetime warranty that way if it every goes bad at anytime you still own the vehicle, you can replace it for free. An alternator for a Aurora will cost a little more than normal because they are a 140 amp alternator wich is a lot more than a typical one because of all the eletrical gadgets in the Aurora. If I were you I probably would not buy the most expensive unless you can afford it, they are usually built with better quality parts in the remanufacturing process. I hope this helps.

By far the cheapest rebuilt alternator I found was at AutoZone. Autozone's web site says that $95 part is online only, but my local store ordered it in for me no problem.

I actually bought it (1 year warranty), but ended up chickening out and had a garage do it for me. They put in a lifetime warrantied Delco unit (rebuilt) for $400 total. For one it was a tad frigid in Iowa around Christmas-time, and I thought I'd have to remove the radiator. Someone said you might be able to finegle it out only having to remove the fans, but I couldn't tell you for sure.

I would have to check for sure, but I think the actual cost they charged me on that lifetime warrantied Delco unit was only $140. You might find a better price from a good AC Delco distributor around you. I'm quite sure I got charged a good 25-35% markup as usual.