Need a new alternator.

[ron350]

My alternator stopped charging today in my 96 Regal 3800II.

 

 I was wondering what the new aftermarket alternators that the parts stores sell hold up?

 

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/USL0/3649611/01468.oap?year=1996&make=Buick&model=Regal&vi=5000115&ck=Search_01468_5000115_1639&pt=01468&ppt=C0330

 

 

CS130D Alternator.

[Imp558]

Our alternators are pretty tough, I have a used spare already but if I needed one it wouldn't bother me to grab one from a wrecking yard. I'd be looking for one that looked newer but still. H-Body 3800 cars will have a donor too, as will several other cars.

[mfewtrail]

If advance auto stores are nearby to you, they're your best bet. Get the lifetime warranty, order online, use a coupon, and save your receipt. They like to delete warranty history after a few years, but if you have a receipt they will honor it. I print all my online orders to an image printing program so I have them as receipts. Sign up for speedperks before placing your order and you'll get a coupon to use on your next purchase that you can stack with the typical coupons also. I don't know what brand it is, but I have a ten year old lifetime warrantied alt from advance that has given me no trouble. I also have had very good results with the new lifetime warrantied ones from autozone as well(one is 14 years old, another 13 years old, both still working perfectly and there's around 100,000 miles on each of them at this point).

[Padgett]

That picture looks like an aftermarket alternator, Delco has fewer slots. I never had much luck with the Delco CS-130s, they seemed kind of light duty.

Edited July 13, 2016 by Padgett

[Schurkey]

My alternator stopped charging today in my 96 Regal 3800II.

 

 I was wondering what the new aftermarket alternators that the parts stores sell hold up?

 

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/USL0/3649611/01468.oap?year=1996&make=Buick&model=Regal&vi=5000115&ck=Search_01468_5000115_1639&pt=01468&ppt=C0330

 

 

CS130D Alternator.

There is no such thing as a good "new" aftermarket alternator unless you're buying the OEM unit from GM.

 

All other "new" aftermarket alternators/starters/water pumps/whatever are Communist Chinese knockoffs.

 

You're better off with a low-mileage used alternator from a salvage yard, or, more practically, a QUALITY rebuilt.

That picture looks like an aftermarket alternator, Delco has fewer slots. I never had much luck with the Delco CS-130s, they seemed kind of light duty.

There's a huge difference between the CS-130 and a CS-130D.  The "D" is likely to last.  The non-D version is known for rear bearing failures due to excess heat and undersized bearings.

[pitzel]

I took a CS-130 apart.  A rebuild.  I was pretty horrified at how poorly the solder joints were done.  They're simple as cake to rebuild if you're half-way decent at soldering.  I used the "Victory Lap" kit off of Amazon, though you can find them at Fleet Farm and other parts stores.  Probably for the CS-130D as well. 

 

There's a few Youtube videos on how to do it.  I suggest checking them out.  Rebuilding these is quite easy and you really don't need anything in terms of sophisticated tools.  You'll need an impact gun tool to replace the pulley bearing, that's about all. 

[ron350]

Pitzel thanks for the advice.

 

I Purchased the new aftermarket alternator from O’Reollys had to get the car working.

 

Saved the old alternator so will check out the rebuild kits but from what I have read the CS-130D is harder to rebuild than the CS-130.

 

[ron350]

Pitzel thanks for the advice.

 

I Purchased the new aftermarket alternator from O’Reollys had to get the car working.

 

Saved the old alternator so will check out the rebuild kits but from what I have read the CS-130D is harder to rebuild than the CS-130.