82 280zx Alternator issues

A

anna arnette

Forum User
I am at a loss my 82 280zx has a dying alternator so I thought this was a job for the shop but now I am thinking I was wrong. They tell me that they will only put in a factory model because an after market one would cause issues they also claim that this will be 2 hours of labor. Maybe I am the crazy one here but how will the alternator effect the performance if it is an after market model? (Isn’t the main job of the alternator to keep the battery charged) An after market model is based off of factory specification right? Also on an 82 280zx can’t you just pop a new alternator on? I can see it, so how can this take 2 hours? I guess the real question is can I do it my self with the right set of tools and is an after market alternator or a used not the way to go here.
Thank you for any insight. :bow:
 
Rip U off...

Hi Anna.
sounds like they are trying to rip you off & scaremongering you into submission
& parting with lots of $$$ Surely, you have Alternator/Starter motor re-conditioners.over
there? they would dust,check & even repaint your existing alternator for a reasonable
amount possibly about $90 .
A reasonably competant DIY mechanically interested person should
be able to change the alternator over within half an hour.:)
Or get a second hand replacement & replace it. Good luck & Come back
& join us you are most welcome!:thumbs: DJZ 60.:rolleyes:
 
I agree with DJZ (amazingly)

Someone is trying to part you from your hard earned dollars, for very little return.

Best bet is to take your alternator off, even for an amateur, about an hour should see you with enough time left for a coffee after it's off. Take it to an auto-electrics place who will happily recondition it. If it's too far gone, they will be able to recommend a replacement part, which shouldn't cause any problem to the running of the car provided that the voltages/amps are the same.
 
anna arnette said:
I am at a loss my 82 280zx has a dying alternator so I thought this was a job for the shop but now I am thinking I was wrong. They tell me that they will only put in a factory model because an after market one would cause issues they also claim that this will be 2 hours of labor. Maybe I am the crazy one here but how will the alternator effect the performance if it is an after market model? (Isn’t the main job of the alternator to keep the battery charged) An after market model is based off of factory specification right? Also on an 82 280zx can’t you just pop a new alternator on? I can see it, so how can this take 2 hours? I guess the real question is can I do it my self with the right set of tools and is an after market alternator or a used not the way to go here.
Thank you for any insight. :bow:
Click to expand...

Why dont you call some of the pick n pull yards and ask if they have any 280Zxs in their yards? Or even a tested unit on the shelf??
Swapping out an alternator on a 280Zx is not hard. You dont really need a trained shop man . Just a friend/neighbour/ or some local service garage???
 
Thank you for the friendly advise my fellow Z owners but nobody answered the question as to is a "after market model" just as good as a “this is the only kind you should use" super expensive factory model.
:conf2:
Also I have no manual or experience in this matter, so is it safe to say that this is a “pull and plug” kind of job. You know, something that common sense and patience can achieve. Also what is this “reconditioning” that was mentioned, my shop didn’t even throw that out as an offer. I think that 2 hours must be the going quote for where I live because it was thrown out there by different shops.

Thanks again :eek:
 
recondition = make your existing alternator work properly again by replacing some of the internal parts.

After market ones are designed for specific cars/models, so if you can get an after - market one for your car there won't be a problem
 
Even Nissan UK sell mostly reconditioned alternators so no issues should be apparent. Motorsport Auto in Orange, L.A. will sell you an exchange alternator for your model for $69.95 - you will have to return yours or swap over the counter...call 800 633 6331 and tell them Mike at MJP in the UK sent you!
Any local garage should be able to fit easily in under an hour!
 
There you go.

Hi Anna.
Mr.F ( Mike) has given you a contact & direction to get your car back to
normal. Most garages,kind of , create an extra income by way of charging by the hour,or in
this case two.:D so even if you went in for a wiperblade change they'd charge you atleast an hour (& change the blade in 5 minutes) My personal feeling is that the majority of
female drivers fall victim to the garage rip off thing,thankfully you had the sense to get a second opinion.
The alternator is not exactly heart surgery,& imagine how much they
would rip off a exotic car owner? DJZ 60.:)
 
Thank you for the words of wisdom. I totally get that garages and there employees need to make money and I value the work that my shop does. I just think 450$ for an alternator is criminal, especially when I was told that only a factory part would do. Last time I checked though my car was made in 82, so wouldn’t that make every part after market. I still am not clear on why a strait from the factory is so much better then, lets say what I will find at Motosport Auto (many Kudos mike for the suggestion). I will let you know how things turn out. Mike you mention, “Any local garage should be able to fit it easily in under an hour”. Should I take that as a sign that maybe I should not try this on my own?

Grazi Mille

:thumbs:
 
Course You Can.

I believe you can do almost anything if you give it a go.Just disconnect the Battery &
while its off,get it on the charger. Get the right spanners,sockets.tools & disconnect the
terminals/leads on the back of the alternator.Slacken the fanbelt (bolt should be on a
bracket on the alternator) & lift out the old unit. Then its a case of putting the replacement
back in,connecting everything back(what you took off) & then re-tentioning the fan belt.

Easy! if you get stuck you just act all innocent & ask someone nearby to Help!:D
 when you're done,you'll feel a sense of achievement. ''I just did That''.:thumbs:
Go for it! Anna............ DJZ 60.;)
 
updated

Hi Anna.....don't forget to let us know how you got on Ref: Alternator.:thumbs:
regardz DJZ 60.:cool:
 
Wow,

Who would have guessed that it could be done, well at least by me. The alternator is on and car is running like her old smooth self. I must admit though it took a while (not really located in the easiest of places) plus the manual I picked up was a joke. Thank you fellow Z gurus for reminding me that “once upon time long ago” and “do it your self” does not have to be a galaxy so far away. :thumbs:
 
Great!!!!


Well Done ! Anna. I knew you'd do it!:bow: It's so satisfying
to do it & to know that you have improved or fixed the
problem. Also,alway's remember Nobody cares about the
car as much as the owner,& when I do job's I'll tidy up some
other bit while I'm at it! These garage people don't really care This is how to go on.....if you can do it give it a go!

Hat's off & well done.:thumbs: DJZ 60.
P.S Put some pic'z up in the gallery of your z would love to see it.cheerzzz
 
The Other'z yes!

& Anna The other'z may be Guru's but if I'm one,than so are you so keep
up the good work.:D DJZ 60.:)
 
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