Replace alternator-Buy alternator-HELP NEEDED!

[layback40]

Originally Posted by 1910DownUnder

Hi there...

I am new in this forum so please apologize if me thread is in the wrong spot or might already exist. I could not find any similar.

I have a 2001 Cherokee XJ Limited 4.0L and have been told by my mechanic today that I need a new alternator. He ran a check on my car today and all seems to be fine except that the altenator only provides about 12,4V. He says it should be about 13,5V
He recons that it costs me about $1,200 to $1,300 to replace it which I find quite expensive.

I actually have 3 questions:

1.) Is this a reasonable price for Sydney region/Northern Beaches?

2.) Where can I buy a new alternator? How much will it approximately cost?
I understood that I have to take the old alternator off to get the correct model number?

3.) Has anyone any manual or description of how to replace the alternator?
It seems easy accessible and consider it replacing myself.

Many thanks

Ben

Hey Ben.
Welcome to AJOR.

I guess it is fair to say who ever quoted you over a grand for an alt change is a good place never to go back to.
Any auto elec could do it for you.
I would be having some one else examine it before you pay anything.
There is nothing unique about the alt.
A new reg & brushes (they are 1 thing) may fix it. otherwise a rebuilt alt should be fine.
The North American XJ site has plenty of good info like work shop manuals. The alt is an easy change. Best replace the belt while you are at it. Maybe the idlers as well. Dont bother with genuine jeep parts.

Good Luck with your Jeep !!!!

[Easy Rollins 1]

Originally Posted by 1910DownUnder

Excuse my ignorance but what is the regulator, where does it sit and how do I know that this is the problem?

Cheers

Not a problem,here's a video.Not quite the same alt but you get the idea,you don't even need to remove it from the vehicle.Alt rarely fail by themselves.They are only copper windings and magnets.Their bearing will get noisy however.Get a auto elect to test for you....but over $1000 is a pure ripoff.Plenty of wrecker parts also,if you shop smart the Jeeps are no more expensive than any Jap crap.

HTH


http://www.ehow.com/video_4936005_re...lternator.html

[rainman]

as for shopping smart.
try
wooders garage,
polly 4x4,
there are others as well
personally i have found repco and bursons to be spectacularly uncompetitive.
I like to get a price from rockauto in the states as well, shipping is about 5 days-used them allot and very happy with the service.
good luck with it.

[SeaComms]

Its people like that mechanic that give Jeeps a bad name. Nothing wrong with the vehicle its the idiot mechanics that know nothing about them telling the average jo-bloe they are horibly expensive to maintain. He probably only rang the local Jeep dealer to get a price.

By the way, start at $179 for a complete alternator with free freight on ebay (though I think they use an external rectifier / regulator?)....

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/JEEP-CHER...ht_2301wt_1139

[kj69]

thought the computer controls voltage ?? not the alt or regulator .

[kj69]

which reminds me ,i had an auto sparky tell me i needed a new alt because of low charge (was actually due to batt temp sensor being disconnected ) this tells computer to deliver lower charge to batt (i think its like a default setting) anyway reconnected battery temp sensor and alt began charging within normal range again .

[SeaComms]

Good point - not sure on 2001 model. I know the JK does it that way, so it could even be a faulty computer not charging properly.