2006 impreza, currently at 239K miles and still going. Alternator failed after 17 years, somewhere around the 220K mark, no complaints. Got a "lifetime warranty" rebuild from the parts store, doesn't matter which one, they all get their stuff from the same 2 factories in Mexico based on what i could find out. $200. +, Lasted 14 months, then Friday night light is on again and i limp it home on the battery (which i now plan to replace since i pulled it down so low and it's 4 years old.
Go to parts store Saturday evening, they pull out another one, i spin it. small parts fall out on the counter, small flat pieces that look like fiberboard insualtion. Go to the other store in town, same company, they give me an alternator. install, drive 2 miles Sunday morning, light comes on again.
Do a full system check, battery voltage12.4 volts, voltage with alternator running 11.7. Do a voltage drop test on both positive and negative circuits, shows Zero. Go to first store, guy fumbles around for 20 minutes, says " it' tests good",
take it the newer store, tests at .69 volts. No more units in town, frustrated, wife says" did you call our indepdendent Subaru shop? I call, they sell used unit's for $45.00,+ 6 month warratny. she goes to get that as it's now Monday and i'm missing work.
I got the parts store one town over, they have a unit, i ask them to test it, dead as a doornail. They can sell me a "new one" for my old credit+$50.. The new almost certainly uses the same cheap parts they put in their re-built. No thank you
get home, install used factory alternator, looks pretty old, dirty, works perfect, putting out 14.5 volts.
So your choices are
1) re-built garbage for $200.+
2) brand new alternator from Subaru $500., maybe works for you, but my whole car is only worth $500.
3) used one from a local parts seller, our shop in Boulder, CO is a very, very good shop and know what they are doing. they sell used tested parts, alaternator = $45.00
if it leasts even 1 year i'm still better off than than the parts store trash. Ruined my whole weekend, but learn from me and consider your choices carefully
Go to parts store Saturday evening, they pull out another one, i spin it. small parts fall out on the counter, small flat pieces that look like fiberboard insualtion. Go to the other store in town, same company, they give me an alternator. install, drive 2 miles Sunday morning, light comes on again.
Do a full system check, battery voltage12.4 volts, voltage with alternator running 11.7. Do a voltage drop test on both positive and negative circuits, shows Zero. Go to first store, guy fumbles around for 20 minutes, says " it' tests good",
take it the newer store, tests at .69 volts. No more units in town, frustrated, wife says" did you call our indepdendent Subaru shop? I call, they sell used unit's for $45.00,+ 6 month warratny. she goes to get that as it's now Monday and i'm missing work.
I got the parts store one town over, they have a unit, i ask them to test it, dead as a doornail. They can sell me a "new one" for my old credit+$50.. The new almost certainly uses the same cheap parts they put in their re-built. No thank you
get home, install used factory alternator, looks pretty old, dirty, works perfect, putting out 14.5 volts.
So your choices are
1) re-built garbage for $200.+
2) brand new alternator from Subaru $500., maybe works for you, but my whole car is only worth $500.
3) used one from a local parts seller, our shop in Boulder, CO is a very, very good shop and know what they are doing. they sell used tested parts, alaternator = $45.00
if it leasts even 1 year i'm still better off than than the parts store trash. Ruined my whole weekend, but learn from me and consider your choices carefully
