Re: Alternator/ Voltage Regulator woes....

[human <human@nh.ultranet.com>]

-- [ From: human * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

I wish I could answer slightly more authoritatively.  Two comments though.  

One, isn't the "local starter rebuilder" a holdover  from the old days when
everyone drove drof, yvehc, or relsyrhc?  The guy only ever had to deal with
five different oem parts and one units system and could get good at it....?

Us people with "foreign jobs" had to take potluck or order parts from far,
far away.

Two, when my starter died 2 years ago [it happened *on the lift*!  I put the
car up to check out my new straight pipe sound and when it came back down,
no starter! - so be nice to mechanics when your car goes bad on their watch]
I discovered that it was some ghastly Matsushita part!  The replacement from
my local import specialist was a Bosch for $155 and was *totally different*.
 Bigger body, more positive solenoid action and faster crank/faster start. 
This was at 163,000 miles.

IMHO $155 for a moderately easy part to replace is worth going new/factory
rebuilt.  Especially for something as basic as a starter.  I have push
started my car in a busy Boston intersection.  [the matsu. drew so much
current there wasn't enough oomph leftover for the spark plugs with the
mixture set wrong] Starters are niceto have!  The other good option would be
a low mileage used unit if $$ were right.

how to judge an "import specialist": the inventory turns over - nothing
stays and rusts in their back yard except that one drof trocse engine
rebuild the owner couldn't afford.  The good places can keep their
customers' fleet rolling!

Hope someone who knows more about local starter rebuilding chimes in so I
can go hide under my rock...

Huw (as in human) Powell
some old german magic iron

>>>

Subject: Re: Alternator/ Voltage Regulator woes....

Hi,

I would like your opinion on a related topic.  My starter was working  at a
very high temperature and started making the squeeling sounds.  
Origionallly thought it was my belts.  My independent shop discovered  the
250amps it was working at, so I replaced it.  Found a Bosch unit  for $200,
better than the PepBoys types at $145.

Can started be rebuilt by local shops, or is this a part with these 
symptoms best going with a new/officially rebuilt unit?  Appreciate  your
thoughts.

Scott
89 200tqw