SMH @ Autozone Inventory

[96RS Alex]

Performed an oil change today and saw my alternator gauge needle fluctuate wildly so I figured I'd rip that sucker out and replace it with their Duralast series. I was prepared for a $150 alternator but not the frustration that came afterwards. My existing alternator was a 4 yr old AC Delco unit that came from RockAuto and I had to have a replacement asap.

At the front desk the 18 yr old Autozone rep sold me an alternator and inside the Duralast box was a Delco Remy part along with genuine Autozone receipt paper that said it was bench tested on 11/02/2011. He said it looks good so I left thinking this was gonna be the surefire fix and went back for the install.

Below is the Delco Remy installed. I was all proud til I turned the key...


Here is the Delco Remy output. Revving it made no difference. Ripped it out for return.


Normally I'd keep my cool about defective parts but the first Autozone rep in red couldn't help me because he was a just an aged parts driver who seemed ready to retire so I politely asked for someone that could help me. He directed me to an empty counter where I could ask for a replacement and it took about 30 minutes for someone to actually help me, actually it was the original sales rep who sold me the Delco Remy.

This 18 yr old rep said there was no way a new part could be bad so I told him to bench test it regardless of the long line already forming behind him. Sure enough after strapping the Delco Remy part on their tester, it read 'FAIL' in big red letters on their screen and he shook his head in disbelief. At that point I demanded another alternator from their inventory and have it bench tested, which passed but this particular unit had no box and nothing stamped on the housing stating that it was a Duralast or Delco Remy. I had to fix my Camaro and went home with it.

Reinstalled the no-name alternator and it charges beautifully! Drove back to dump my old 5 qts of oil for recycling and get my $25.00 core charge back.

I guess Autozones inventory is a mess. Somethings gonna be out of whack there. I'm just ranting and advising you shadetree mechanics to thoroughly inspect these high buck parts before leaving any autoparts store especially Autozone.

[LETZRIDE]

Re: SMH @ Autozone Inventory

your check gauges light is on, why? Did you have the wire plugged into the back of the alternator? the skinny wire?...usually that light comes on if that is not snapped in, not for low voltage...Ive had my car dip to the red and stay there for a few seconds when I come to stop lights and I do not ever get my check gauges light unless I either pull the belt, or dont clip that wire into the back of the alternator...if you do either of those you can sit there and rev the motor to 7000rpm if you wish, it wont do anything...

[96RS Alex]

Re: SMH @ Autozone Inventory

When I finishing repairing my vehicle, I make sure nothing is left unplugged, disconnected etc before I turn the key. Last thing I want to find out is I goofed somewhere during the reassembly process.

The 2nd pic I provided for viewing was AFTER I buttoned everything up and triple checked my work so the Check Gauge Light is on after I connected the single wire weatherpack plug into the alternator. Just to clear things up.

[DAS BOOT]

Re: SMH @ Autozone Inventory

your check gauges light is on, why? Did you have the wire plugged into the back of the alternator? the skinny wire?...usually that light comes on if that is not snapped in, not for low voltage...Ive had my car dip to the red and stay there for a few seconds when I come to stop lights and I do not ever get my check gauges light unless I either pull the belt, or dont clip that wire into the back of the alternator...if you do either of those you can sit there and rev the motor to 7000rpm if you wish, it wont do anything...

If it dips low enough or long enough it pops on. Mine has done it during my voltage issues before.

[DAS BOOT]

Re: SMH @ Autozone Inventory

just a heads up before you go throwing more money at it, its not neccesarily your alternator. Do some searches some people have had fluctuating alternator issues.

I have a crappy I assume duracrap, or something alternator put in by last owner. He talked about how he had just replaced it when I bought the car. Under the hood was filthy, it was actually the cleanest thing in there and looked new.

When it started to get cold again it started fluctuating randomly. I replaced the tensioner, as it was weak. cleaned the terminals and recleaned everything. I still get occasional fluctuations first thing in the morning when its like 40* out. But for the most part everything is better.

Its a pretty common f-body thing.

[vr4gasm]

Re: SMH @ Autozone Inventory

I am a Commercial Sales Specialist at a local Autozone in Columbus, OH... I have seen more than a few Duralast alternators be bad off the shelf and as fora "delco remy" and a no name alternator.. on a Duralast alternator they reuse the case the internals are all from a 3rd party company they are new internals... but the no name alternator has the same internals as the delco remy you purchased.. just a heads up the Duralast Gold alternators come from bosch and are pretty awesome :)

[pace2006]

Redshirts at AZ are the part time guys that can't do returns, etc. Grey shirts are managers or certified workers.

As for the parts, I don't remember if they check them or the warehouse/remanufacturing company does that. But every brand is going to have a dud product at some time. Quality control on some of the dura last products could be better, but that's why it's a good idea to check it before you leave the store.

Fortunately an alternator swap takes less than 5 minutes... I had to pull a dud window motor I had just installed a couple minutes earlier because it was bad and died on the second try. That took more than 5 minutes to do.