I've been looking for a replacement alternator for my '02 Z06 and found an Autolite 110 amp unit for under $200. Any reason why I should shun this particular brand? I've been looking for a chromed unit, but not had any real luck finding one that is either available RIGHT NOW, or the seller doesn't want an arm and a leg for it. I think mine is going flaky on me, so I want to get one pretty quickly.......

And no, I really don't want to spend over $400 for a genuine GM unit unless I have no other option......

 

 

There is a chromed alternator on eBay........around $350.00

 

Here's another option:

DIY....or......for about $50 you can have your alternator serviced with new bearings and electronics. It may take a few days but a good generator shop can do this. I have done this a couple of times for my boat. Really saves $$$$

 

If you are referring to the one I think you are, that person has had some issues brought up on this forum about him.

 

C5 alternators are unique to C5's, they are PCM specific and year specific.. a general GM alternator will not work,,,,
Many scam artist out there getting 90 dollar GM alternators and calling them C5 alternators...

 

So does that mean that Autolite is a "scam artist"?

 

There are MANY people on the forum that are "QUALIFIED SYSTEM EXPERTS" that know a system inside and out.
EVIL TWIN is the "C5 ALTERNATOR" expert.

All he is saying is make your choices wisely and be careful with what you get as a replacement alternator for your car!!

You could end up with a $350 paper weight!!!

When/if I ever have an alternator issue, I will just have mine rebuilt by a reputable local alternator/starter repair shop.


Bill Curlee

 

Having yours rebuilt is the best way to go.....unless you can find the exact match...... I mean exact....... amps, manufacturer and part number....

Gm is starting to come on board with a PCM flash for your car to attemp to make the New alternators they offer, compatable with your
car. Personally I would not let , the dealer touch my car. I say this very reluctantly...
Bill aka ET

 

the AutoLite version of the C5 alternator works and works well. Purchased mine from Kragen, $170 I believe with $30 core charge.

 

Well that is the reason for my post here. Trying to find information. I found the info on the Advanced Auto Parts website, which has local stores in my area but don't happen to stock an alternator for my vehicle. The info I had to fill out on their website was pretty specific about the year and model needed. I looked on the alternator itself in an early attempt to buy one, but unless the model number is underneath the unit, there is none visible that I can see.

At the very least, if it doesn't work, I can return it locally. And it has a lifetime warranty on top of that.

What I was hoping NOT to hear was someone saying "Man watch out! I installed that alternator and now my radio only plays Chinese stations because of it!"

 

Okay here's your warning. It won't pay your radio in Chinese, but you might enjoy a BBQ!

My Father installed a Autolite alternator in his '92 Chevy pickup three years ago as it failed on him in a small town in Northern Colorado, and he had no other choice.

The first one failed within 3 months. He took it out, got it warrantied. (lifetime warranty).

The second one lasted one year. He replaced it again.

The third one caught fire two months later. !!! He promptly removed it and bought a GM alternator.

There is a reason they are cheap. You get what you pay for. Whoever rebuilds Autolite alternators seems to have serious quality control problems.

I own a Volvo/Honda shop and we wouldn't ever install one in a customer car. Too many comebacks. If $$ is a primary concern, I'd try to find at least a Bosch rebuild. A local "rebuild" shop is only as good as the guy rebuilding. They also tend to lack sources for ALL the proper parts required to do it correctly.

 

I know exactly HOW RE MANUFACTURERS WORK,,, IF IT HAS THE SAME OUTPUT MOUNTING BRACKET, AND PLUG, THEY CROSS REFERENCE IT TO ANY gm PRODUCT...
'If you want a genuine Gm C5 alternator, get it from Gene Culley at Fred beans...he is a real C5 friendly guy, a supporting forum vendor and the sponsor of the C5 forum, his contributions to this forum make it free for you and me... I support him all I can,.,
he also offers the best prices and customer service... if there is ever a problem he is right their in your corner.
have your Vin # handy,
gene Culley
gculley@fredbeans.com
Director of Internet sales
Fred Beans Pontiac Buick GMC of Limerick
40 Auto Park Boulevard
Limerick, Pa 19468
610.495.1700

 

just for grins and giggles, I will let you know when the cheap Autolite crappie alternator stops working...

 

How long has yours been in your vehicle?

So far I am hearing one pro and one con about Autolite.

As for the suggestion to get mine rebuilt, in the first place, I bought this car used about 7 months ago and don't know if it is even an original GM part on it now. I can't find a part number of any sort anywhere on it. Unless it is underneath, and I won't see it until I take the thing off.

Secondly, I am not certain at all that the quality of workmanship I have to choose from in my local area will be any better at all then what the remanufacturer's are using.

This may not even be an alternator problem at all that I am chasing. I've had the voltage meter sporadically fluctuate from 11.2 to 15 volts. It may be nothing or it may be something bad happening. I would just rather attempt to get it fixed NOW rather then be parked alongside the road waiting for a tow truck driven by a guy who has never gotten within 20 paces of a Corvette before. I would imagine there are certainly WRONG ways to tow a vette...........

 

about a month so I got a ways to go before I can prove anything to anyone. On the other hand, why would I go with a GM unit which has already failed me at less than 70K miles? By the way your symptoms are pointing to an alternator in your near future.

If you are wanting something better than OEM, I would go with Quick Start Electric and select a CS-144 with 140 amps and some size to dissipate heat. Do a google search and you can find them.

Otherwise, going back to the thread topic of the AutoLite version of the C5 alternator, my view is why not try it? If the GM unit is so great, then why does it have only a 90 day/3000 mile warranty? Each their own of course, but when value can only be assumed and not proven, I will go the cheaper route every time especially when the warranties are identical.

 

Yeah, I had pretty much this same thing happen on our Chevy Astro van a couple of years ago. Needle was all over the place. When it finally died, I had to drive it to the local shop running only on the battery. With the headlights ON it drained the battery FAST! I just barely made it into the parking lot before it just died right there. I had to pull it into the parking space without power steering. I'm just glad nothing got in my way that last 100 feet or so.

So yeah, that's why I'm thinking the alternator might be going up on my Z.

The problems really started after I had my long tube headers installed at the dealership and the vette tech left a grounding cable loose and forgot to tighten it when he was done. Got the two generator fault errors and the charging system fault as well before the ground was tightened. So this may very well just be a coincidence or there is something else loose somewhere. Since the car was bought used and had about 63K miles on it, I think even if the problem isn't the alternator, I might as well go ahead and change it out anyway. Alternators just don't live forever.

Oh, btw, this is the Autolite PRO model alternator I am looking at. Does that make a difference?

 

Just my $0.02 worth...Several years ago, Corvette Fever magazine did an article about rebuilt alternators, as they seem to be a frequently replaced part on a Corvette.

They bought re-manned units from AC Delco, Bosch, Autolite, and a couple of generic "parts house" units. They took these parts to their office, disassembled them all, and compared. Their findings, IIRC, was that they all "worked", but the AC Delco seemed to have better workmanship and part tolerances, compared to the others. The Generic units seemed to have the basic wear parts replaced, then were cleaned and reassembled, nothing more. The more expensive units actually had commutators that were turned, etc.

I wish I could provide more info, but my middle-aged memory isn't quite what it used to be...

 

Well the reason I went with the Autolite Pro was because it looked like they replaced just about everything in the alternator in the rebuild:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...ype=11&ptset=A

That doesn't mean it won't fail nor can't be a lemon, and yes maybe I could have found one better for the price somewhere, but I just got wore out looking. This one will either do, or it won't. If it won't, then I take it back and find something else.

Of course, after ordering this thing, I have gotten some offers that I likely would have given first preference to over the Autolite. Oh well.....

 

Well, I installed this Autolite alternator (ATRA2301162 A2301-16-2 AUTOLITE ALTERNATOR) on Saturday, and after test driving the car for about an hour afterwards, and close to 5 hours on Sunday, it appears to be working just fine. Not saying it will last forever, but so far there haven't been any glitches I can see using it.

FWIW......