Alternator Rebuilding

When you get the bad news that there’s something wrong with your alternator, there’s no need to despair. You have options available. The most obvious one is to have a brand-new alternator installed. But you need to consider the fact that only part of the alternator may be faulty or worn out. To replace the whole alternator would be the equivalent of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Instead of forking out a whole lot of money to replace the entire alternator, consider your second option. There’s a good likelihood that you can have your alternator rebuilt. Local mechanics have many alternator rebuilding organizations to choose from in Miami, Florida and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In fact, any mechanic is likely to have an established relationship with someone who rebuilds alternators in their area.

How is an alternator rebuilt?

1. The rebuilding expert dismantles the alternator into its different components.
2. Testing is done on all the electrical and electronic parts of the alternator.
3. Parts that are visibly damaged or are known to wear out easily might not even be tested if it’s clear they need to be replaced.
4. Any faulty components of the alternator are replaced.

There is a certain amount of expertise required to rebuild an alternator successfully. If you take your car to a backyard mechanic, your alternator will probably be sent to a backyard alternator rebuilder. That’s why it’s essential to make sure your mechanic is reputable. The same applies to the rebuilder. Ask the mechanic who the rebuilder is. You can establish their reputation by asking around or looking online.

Poor quality work leads to a poor quality rebuild. This simply means you and your alternator will be back at the mechanic’s workshop within a short space of time. Obviously, this is exactly what you want to avoid. That’s why it’s worth your while to make sure the person rebuilding your alternator can be trusted.

Repair, rebuild, or remanufacture?

Believe it or not, there are differences between having your alternator repaired, rebuilt, or remanufactured.

In an alternator repair scenario, malfunctioning parts are replaced. Parts that are reaching the end of their functionality may also be replaced. In a rebuild, parts that are near failure are also replaced and there is more extensive testing. When an alternator is remanufactured, there are far more stringent standards of quality. It is compulsory to replace certain parts regardless of their functionality. These include the voltage regulator, the brushes, and the diodes. Other faulty parts or parts that are near failure are then also replaced. A remanufactured alternator must meet the standards of operation of the original equipment manufacturing.

Get a warranty

Make sure you get a warranty on the work that was done on your alternator. Should the alternator fail within the period of warranty, you can take it back. The work will be redone at no cost to you. A longer warranty is preferable as you are covered for a longer time period.

Where to look

As previously stated, let your mechanic refer you to the right person for the job. Many DIY mechanics in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Miami, Florida can give you advice about who to choose. The good news is that few people experience issues with their alternator before the car is at least 10 years old.