I just bought a new alternator in april of this yr. I had someone install it for me and the damn pulley came off on me while I was driving today. The whole pulley and belt made this wild horrific screeching sound and now my check battery light is on.
How do I fix this and is the shop that sold me the alternator responsible for this mishap?
They sold me a bum alternator 1 yr ago and I complained to the owner because the alternator lost it's power in 12 months. They are supposed to last much longer than 12 months in a car. I told him there was no reason for it to die out on me because I don't have loud music or any music playing in my car. I have no amp or any stereo stuff either. I don't have anything that would drain it and I have a brand new yellow top Optima battery that has 620CCA so it packs enough punch. The alternator he sold me was a bum one and he replaced it for me for 1/2 price.
Now this new one I got from him sucks big time with the pulley falling off in 4 months!!
WTF??
2006-07-14 18:49:50 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
it is a Honda Civic..does this alternator pulley also run my water pump? or just the electrical stuff like lights, etc?
what kind of bolt do I used to retighten the pulley and do I have to remove the alternator in order to tighten the bolt?? or can I do it with the alternator still in my car?
should I get a new alternator belt while I'm at it??
thanks.
2006-07-14 18:58:34 · update #1
it's a remanufactured alternator. almost 99% of all alternators sold in CA are remans.
it is made by Nippon Denso, the other one that conked out on me within 12 months was a Mitsubishi brand.
2006-07-14 19:00:09 · update #2
yes this shop I bought the alternators builds reman alternators + starters and resells them for about $100 plus tax after the core charge.
2006-07-14 19:16:36 · update #3
what kind of car u got?
possibly the nut holding the pulley on was not tightened correctly. i suggest not returning to that shop in the future.
maybe get it repaired as soon as possible.
when a battery is discharged lower than normal, it shortens the life.
2006-07-14 18:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a new shop, man. The guy is ripping you off.....or he has no idea what he is doing. He could have fried your other alternator when he installed it and crossed some wires. This time, it sounds like he didn't properly torque the pulley nut. Make sure there is no other damage in the engine compartment from flying pulleys and belts. Good luck!
2006-07-14 19:01:05 · answer #2 · answered by Shawne & Lexi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is completely their fault!! There is no reason for the pulley to come off unless not put on right.This is why I work on my own cars. An alternator is easy to put on and set if you have patience.I would tell them what happened.If they refuse to fix it FREE for you report them to Better Business Bureau.(BBB) Go to BBB.com and they will guide you through the comp;aint process.No matter how loud your music or whatever has nothing to do with your alternator.Your alternator not being in right will kill your battery quick.They owe you both.
2006-07-14 18:58:27 · answer #3 · answered by cmeand3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
usually a nut holding pulley on alt. probly not same pulley as water pump and try old belt first if not torn or shredded. if makes noise then replace. usually nut is 15/16" nut. if u still have pulley, tak ealt off and take to parts store than can use impact wrench to install. hard to hold alt still while tighten nut.
2006-07-18 17:50:32 · answer #4 · answered by dorkasource 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pullys don't normally "fall off" alternators, and yes, an alternator should last more than 1 year, with normal use.
does this shop rebuild alternators themselves? if so this shop need never to be ruturned to exept for a court summons.
if they don't, then their supplier is at fault. i have heard of a NATIONWIDE parts shop whose sister company/side venture/supplier of rebuilt alternators only replaces what is wrong with the alternator, and not the other components.
2006-07-14 19:07:56 · answer #5 · answered by Ryan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet is to go back to he shop that sold you the alternator and complain again. If they bought it from a rebuild shop or it is OEM it should be under warranty for this type of problem.
2006-07-14 18:56:25 · answer #6 · answered by Kenneth H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without a receipt you may be outa luck
Don't buy anything from that shop again
If you have to get the part at a Junk Yard
or go online and buy
J.C.Whitney has lots of stuff
2006-07-14 18:57:31 · answer #7 · answered by Vulcan 1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋