I would not be getting one from a junkyard unless I'm selling the car. Don't to find out a couple of weeks later it goes out and then wasted my time and money.
Kenny, the non-mechanic is being very conservative. You couldn't touch a brand new alternator from the dealer of the car for less than $500,00
Your best choice would be having yours rebuilt at an auto electric shop.
The best re-manufactured ones are AC-Delco units with a life-time warranty from AC-Delco Distributors and or AC-Delco parts stores.
Junk-yard starters and alternators have a very short warranty. Usually about 30 days.
If you like guarantees, buy a reman.
If you like OEM parts, and your brushes wore out, put brushes and a regulator in it.
If you like rebuilding used parts and using them, put new parts in a used one.
Under 50 bucks any way you go, unless you want a warranty, then you get the cleanest used parts you ever saw with a foreign made regulator and new brushes, and a warranty.
You still have to bench test any one you pick and diagnose the car correctly, do the labor, and have the tools. charge the battery and have a snug fitting belt. Reverify it passes load, draw, output and sounds good.
Some alternators can have more wrong with them than others.
In the case of the used parts you find, you have to know how to check it out. then you have two sets of everything because the core is so insignificant.
alternators can be rebuilt but require a kit and knowledge to do so. getting one from a junk yard is a gamble it may already be shot or at the end of its life. it is besst to get a new or pre rebuilt one from a part store. Many places will give you a core charge if you return the old alternator to them..
Just get a new alternator, it's only a couple hundred dollars. If your factory alternator has gone out more than once, then get an aftermarket alternator.
Alternators are routinely rebuilt. They are not expensive. Buy a new one.
There is a huge industry based on rebuilding alternators!
They are a simple enough device, you might even want to learn to rebuild them yourself if you have the time and the patience...
http://www.wikihow.com/Rebuild-an-Altern...
It's usually either the brushes that need replacing, or the diode bridge...
most rebuilt alternators come with a lifetime warranty,and they can be rebuilt
Best and most expensive is new OEM. Second best and usually cheapest is a wrecking yard OEM part. Worst is rebuilt - many fail in the first week and many more do not last a year.
YES, go to parts store and get a new " rebuilt" most have a lifetime warranty
if you go to a junk yard,...that's what you get .............. " JUNK "
