Alternator Question

[fredbmxer4life]

The alternator in my 2000 firebird is going bad wont hold a charge on battery already replaced battery no luck. Car has 150 thou and stock alternator so Im guessing its bout ready to chroke. Just need to know if 98-02 3.8l alternators are interchangeable i found on off a 99 maro with only 20 thousand miles local junkyard is scraping for only 40 bucks not going to buy if not right one though cause cant return... thanks in advance.

[J Phillies]

Re: Alternator Question

they interchange...... but i try to avoid electrical components from the the junk yard

[T-Mill]

Re: Alternator Question

he's right that an alternator from a junkyard can be sketchy, but since a new alternator is usually around $120, it could be worth the risk... especially if there's some way they can provide test results for you proving that it is okay, and remove your old alternator and bring it in with you so that you can compare them to make sure it'll fit...

[fredbmxer4life]

Re: Alternator Question

Its not permanent though I just leave for the army in less than two months and will be gone for over year i just need something to get me back and forth from work till then no point in spending buck 50 on alternator cheapest i can get from parts store and thats reman. When I get back im pulling motor in it and prolly goin to put gtp motor in it.

[J Phillies]

Re: Alternator Question

Its not permanent though I just leave for the army in less than two months and will be gone for over year i just need something to get me back and forth from work till then no point in spending buck 50 on alternator cheapest i can get from parts store and thats reman. When I get back im pulling motor in it and prolly goin to put gtp motor in it.

my concern would be that the junk yard alt would last that two month ... it may ... it may not ... but if it dont you're out $40 plus you still have to buy a new one....


rock auto has a reman for $80

[vr4gasm]

Re: Alternator Question

i have bought alternators for a few other cars from a junkyard no trouble ever... i guess it depends on how well you know the guys at the junk yard..

[ssms5411]

Re: Alternator Question

Check the for sale section , I have my lifetime warranty GM alternator and 2 extras I picked up for $35-$40 a pop in the for sale section. Just in case the GM one goes I just swap it and go get a new one from the dealership for free. I'll be dammed if I will have it towed because of a Alt. or starter or something simple.

[fredbmxer4life]

Re: Alternator Question

I'll be dammed if I will have it towed because of a Alt. or starter or something simple.

Lol, im the same way last night i guess one of the sections of honeycombs went bad in my cat and it started 30 miles away from home so i kept having to pull over and bang on the cat with the stow away pump jack lugnut remover (all i had lol) it would move honeycomb around be good for another 3-5 miiles get out do it again i made it home though.


Always something with our cars yesterday morning i put alt in felt good about car no more problems friggin cat goes back that night.

[Mighty Thor]

Re: Alternator Question

I'm looking to buy an alternator myself.

Mine only has 28k on it but it whines really loud. It still holds a charge.

You can pull yours out and take it to autozone. They'll do a free test on it.