Car Alternator Question

TheKid2006 · Post by **TheKid2006** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 5:47 pm

I have a Honda Civic 2001 EX. I have 2 fourchannel amps, a sub, a DVD player and 2 monitors hooked up. I have a capacitor but I noticed that sometimes by headlights still dim and my battery doesn't last over a year and a half. I was thinking if changing the alternator would help.

If so, I could you your expert advise.

What brand/model would be good in your opinion for my car? As much details as possible would be appreciate since I don't know squat.
Best value would be nice.

Should I just buy one online maybe and take it to a shop to install? What would be a reasonable labor charge to install it? I don't want to get ripped off.

Thanks for your help

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:02 pm

You most definately NEED a new alternator. Throw the capacitor away (or sell it).

Refer to the FAQ's. All of this is covered in there.

As for what brands are good, I'm not too sure. I hear so many mixed reviews of just about every company.

High Society · Post by **High Society** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:06 pm

X eleventy billion on a new alt. As for batt, can't go wrong with an optima. But theres just as good out there for cheaper. I used a everstartmax for my old setup and it worked great.

TheKid2006 · Post by **TheKid2006** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:19 pm

OK, a new Alternator it is. I was thinking of getting an optima one.

I think I could get a good deal if I buy one online, but does anyone know what a reasonable price would be to have it installed. I don't want to get ripped off now

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:23 pm

Just don't get a rebuilt/modified alternator. A few years ago, I had one made/modified like that. It died JUST after the one year warranty. I was out $575.

The Optima Red Top is a good battery. But if you don't intend on running it into the ground, then an Everstart Maxx would be the next best thing, at HALF the cost.

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:25 am

http://www.motorcityreman.com for the alternator

As for install where is it at? Can you get to it easily? Its best to do it yourself, and cheapest!

You also want to upgrade all them power/ground wires under the hood.

If the alts kinda a bitch to get to and adding the wire install I would say about 300-400 to install. If its easy maybe 200-300

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:56 am

motor city is good but if your looking for higher quaility alts looking into excessive amperage, ohio generator, and iraggi.

Mithrandir · Post by **Mithrandir** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:35 am

TheKid2006 wrote: I was thinking if changing the alternator would help.

No! no chance! It wouldnt help one bit! DONT DO IT!!! IM WARNING YOU!!!

lol im in one of those moods

High Society · Post by **High Society** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:15 am

Don't listen to Mary here, I'd say what ever is the cheapest alt that works get it.

Hey Will, I have my alt modded, ang it worked great. You think it could have just been one of those things "shit happens?" Or do you think it was really built poorly by who ever did it?

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:34 pm

I'm not exactly sure. A friend of mine is a nuclear engineer for the navy and he said that he thinks it was a diode that burnt out on it. So, I'm not exactly sure which it would be because I did pressure the guy into getting me my alternator. Took him 6 weeks or so to do it.