Spazzaroth Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 I replaced mine back in February and it looks like I have to do it again. Currently stranded in Blanco tx waiting till Tuesday for the local o'reillys to get the part in. Fun times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 I carry an extra alternator, serpentine belt, and ignition module/coil pack in my trunk along with my "junkin bag". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 i just had to replace mine again after about five years.i bought a new ac delco from rock auto this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y-JobFan Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 I’ve never replaced one after multiple Reatta s and tons of miles ( knock by on wood) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 I have owned 11 Reattas and several other GM cars with the 3800 engine and the only problem was a 1988 Bonneville. I later heard that the '88 alternator housing did not allow for sufficient cooling. It might be possible that some of the '88 designed housing have been rebuilt and sold for later cars.... when you get one, compare he housing for cooling openings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 30, 2020 Share Posted November 30, 2020 Had the 88 blue coupe for near two decades now. Replaced the alternator once. Is a common units and take five minutes to replace. I keep a rebuild kit on hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spazzaroth Posted December 1, 2020 Author Share Posted December 1, 2020 Last time I bought one I got it from O'Reilly's with a lifetime warranty. So even if I have to so even if I have to replace it every 6 months I don't think I'll have to pay for another one. I'm driving there now to replace the alternator in the parking lot and drive 6 hours home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 Check the terms of the warranty, free replacement may only be for the original unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DS_Porter 89 Burgandy Posted December 1, 2020 Share Posted December 1, 2020 Most common alternator failure is the drive end bearing. Occasional replacement before it fails is good policy. Easy to do and it can prevent a tow truck incident. I learned the hard way. Also check the brushes. Easy and cheap stuff. Kits are available. Check model number carefully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted December 3, 2020 Share Posted December 3, 2020 On 12/1/2020 at 2:13 PM, Spazzaroth said: Last time I bought one I got it from O'Reilly's with a lifetime warranty. So even if I have to so even if I have to replace it every 6 months I don't think I'll have to pay for another one. I'm driving there now to replace the alternator in the parking lot and drive 6 hours home. the one i replaced again was probably life time warrantied but im slack with keeping up with paper work plus if i fix something once i want it to stay fixed or at least twenty years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spazzaroth Posted December 4, 2020 Author Share Posted December 4, 2020 On 12/1/2020 at 1:55 PM, DS_Porter 89 Burgandy said: Most common alternator failure is the drive end bearing. Occasional replacement before it fails is good policy. Easy to do and it can prevent a tow truck incident. I learned the hard way. Also check the brushes. Easy and cheap stuff. Kits are available. Check model number carefully What is the symptoms of the drive end bearing failing? When my alternator died I usually just start seeing 9 to 12 volts being put out and nothing else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DS_Porter 89 Burgandy Posted December 4, 2020 Share Posted December 4, 2020 As a matter of preventative maintenance the only way to check is to remove the serpentine belt and spin it by hand. "Feel it" Listen carefully. I had one fail unexpectedly and it started to make noise and I hoped I could make it home but no such luck. The belt began to smoke. End of trip. Tow truck. Brings to mind an A J Foyt quote - " a six dollar ball bearing in the gearbox failed" He was on his way to winning the Indy 500 I continue to make educated guesses about the longevity of various car parts. Get out there and enjoy the drive. Life is a crapshoot.... I should have been killed by now.......blah blah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 " a six dollar ball bearing in the gearbox failed" wasn't that the one with the helicopter gas turbine ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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