Warning: That cheap alternator I bought on eBay took 6 hours to install

I grabbed a remanufactured alternator for my 2005 Tacoma for $85 last month thinking I was saving big. First issue was the mounting bracket holes were 2mm off so I had to grind them out with a dremel. Then the connector plug didn't match so I spent another hour splicing wires from the old one. After I finally got it in the truck still wouldn't charge and I had to pull it back out to find a broken diode. Total time from start to finish was 6 hours for what should have been a 1 hour job. Has anyone else dealt with parts that just don't fit right?

3 comments

3 Comments

anna_fox717d ago

My buddy spent a whole Sunday on a eBay starter that needed a bracket he had to weld himself.

gonzalez.reese14d ago

Damn @joseph_adams66 did you end up with a working part or just a paperweight?

joseph_adams6617d ago

Yeah that "still wouldn't charge" part hits home. After I finally got my cheap alternator in, the battery light stayed on and I spent another two hours tracking down a bad ground that was actually my fault for not tightening the bracket enough. @anna_fox7 your buddy's welding story reminds me I had to cut and reclock the rear housing on mine because the vent was pointing right at the block. Nobody talks about how these budget parts end up costing you double in labor and frustration.