New vs Reconditioned Altenator

WesternZulu

I was driving my car there last night and noticed that the lights would dim when going up hills, turning, etc.

I got it checked today and it turns out it's the alternator.

Just wondering if I would be better off getting the alternator reconditioned as oppossed to getting a new one.

I can get it reconditioned with a 2 year warranty that would work out a lot cheaper but would I be better served in the long run to fork out and just get the one new?

Car is ford fiesta, 1.4, 2003.

djimi

Definately reconditioned. Do you plan on keeping the car beyond the 2 year warranty? Because only then will it be an issue for you. Even at that I got the alternator reconditioned in my Accord and it never gave me any further trouble.

WesternZulu

djimi wrote: »

Definately reconditioned. Do you plan on keeping the car beyond the 2 year warranty? Because only then will it be an issue for you. Even at that I got the alternator reconditioned in my Accord and it never gave me any further trouble.

Would age be a factor when reconditioning one?
Would it be pointless in reconditioning a nearly 10 year old alternator?

Not disregarding your point at all, just a genuine question.

djimi

My Accord was about 9 years old when I got the alternator done, and to the best of my knowledge its the first time it had been repaired.

Id say if they are willing to offer a 2 year warranty on it then if it is too badly damaged they wont try and repair it. If they are prepared to stand over it for 2 years then you will get it back in good order.

b318isp

Go recon! I have the original 22 year old alternator in my car, on it's third set of brushes but still going well.

WesternZulu

When he did a voltage test he said that it was the regulator, that the voltage was going all over the place so hopefully that'll be easily fixed with a recon?

b318isp

Should be. Some alternators have the brushes and regulator combined (mine does) - so both are changed at the same time.