The average cost for alternator replacement is between $573 and $742. Labor costs are estimated between $123 and $155 while parts are priced between $451 and $587. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
How many hours of labor is alternator replacement?
The average time for an alternator replacement is two-to-three hours . That gives you roughly $120- $200 in labor to start.
Can AutoZone replace alternator?
Avoid all of this hassle by replacing your alternator and alternator parts with the help of AutoZone .
How long does it take to replace a alternator?
In general, it will take about two hours for you to replace an alternator on your own, though this could vary somewhat depending on your knowledge of car mechanics. If you take your car into a shop in order to have the alternator replaced, timing may vary somewhat, and you may have to leave the car for the day.
What causes an alternator to fail?
Most of the time, alternators fail as a result of age or use . However, some other factors can cause an alternator to fail prematurely. Fluid leaking on the car alternator can commonly lead to failure. Often, engine oil or power steering fluid can work its way into the alternator and cause it to malfunction or fail.
Is it worth it to replace alternator?
This is also sometimes called “remanning” and is where you open that puppy up and replace any defective or worn out parts inside the alternator and then spit shine everything before you close it back up. Rebuilding an alternator is definitely worth the time and is very cost effective .
How can I temporarily fix my alternator?
When replacing an alternator What else should I replace?
When replacing and alternator, other upgrades are worth doing too. Go ahead and change the serpentine belt, tensioner and idler roller when replacing an alternator on your car or truck.
Do you have to replace battery when replacing alternator?
Should the battery be replaced whenever an alternator is replaced? It's not necessary , however it's not uncommon for an old battery to fail when an alternator stops working. This happens because when the battery is completely drained, it deteriorates sooner.
How long can a car drive without alternator?
How Long Can You Drive With A Dead Alternator? Unless your vehicle alternator works properly, you can only go a distance of about 25 miles before the battery is empty when it is fully charged. There is usually a maximum drive time of about 30 minutes per mile, for a total distance of 25 miles.
What happens when the alternator goes out?
A bad alternator will result in a discharged (dead) battery and cause a vehicle to not start or run . Alternators are designed to maintain a battery's charge, not to recharge a dead battery. Your alternator's job is to maintain a consistent charge on your battery. Draining your car's battery is not advised.
What kills an alternator?
Running in full charge mode continuously can kill an alternator, so trying to have your new alternator try and charge your dead battery can result in immediate alternator failure.
How do I know if it's the battery or the alternator?
If your engine won't turn over or takes far longer than usual, it's time to grab the jumper cables and attempt a jump-start. If your engine starts and stays running but won't start again later, it's likely a battery problem. If your vehicle immediately stalls, it's probably a bad alternator .
What are the symptoms of a bad alternator in a car?
- Dim or Overly Bright Lights. ...
- Dead Battery. ...
- Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories. ...
- Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling. ...
- Growling or Whining Noises. ...
- Smell of Burning Rubber or Wires. ...
- Battery Warning Light on Dash.
Why are alternators so expensive?
1. When you buy OEM, all you're buying is the name. New alternators, starters, and A/C compressors had just as high a rate of defects and warranty returns as the better of our two rebuilt brands . The name is also the reason for the price markup.
Is it safe to drive with a bad alternator?
Driving around with a bad alternator isn't a smart idea ; as damaged or broken alternators can cause a wide range of problems. They can interfere with your car's electrical features, make it harder to start the engine, and even cause the battery to drain entirely, leaving you with an utterly unresponsive vehicle.
What causes the alternator not to charge the battery?
The most common reason an alternator is not charging the battery is due to worn carbon brushes or a damaged alternator itself . It can also be caused by a blown fuse or bad wirings. If your serpentine belt snapped off, the alternator will, of course not charge then either.
Can you start car without alternator?
It will run on its own for a while until it runs out of charge . How long will a car run without alternator? It entirely depends on the capacity of the car battery. If the battery does not have a full charge, the vehicle may run from 5 to 30 minutes.
Can Jiffy Lube replace an alternator?
If your jump is successful, that means your car battery is failing and you are in need of a car battery replacement. If the battery isn't the exact failure, then the alternator may be the problem after all, which can be solved by Jiffy Lube services as well .
