$687 for a Jeep Wrangler battery and rebuilt Alternator.

[thedelihaus]

Co-worker got a bill for $687 for a Jeep Wrangler battery and rebuilt Alternator.

Parts/labor.




Must include the screws.

 

[SPL db]

Must include the screws.

Thumb screws that is...

Scott

 

[cabinover]

Send him my way Paul, I'll split the profits with you and we'll both be able to have some new tunes!

 

[merrylander]

I can remember when a rebuilt Delco alternator went for under $40.

 

[whoaru99]

Installed at a dealer, yes?

I had some diagnostic work done to one of my cars at the dealer, which included replacing the alternator. If I recall, the bill was around $500, and that was two or three years ago.

 

[spartanmanor]

Anything to do with cars is not cheap. Around here it's about $100 hr for labor. Crazy I say.

 

[thedelihaus]

Jeep alternator- supposedly new- PartsGeek.com- $64.75, Auto Parts Warehouse-$182.40

Jeep battery- Local sears, $55 to $85, high performance 4x4 Red top Optima at Quadratrac.com- $159.89, standard battery at Auto Parts Warehouse-$252.03




Self diagnosed- charge of labor is for replacement only. Typical labor charge $65 local shop, $85-$100 most dealers.


"...The alternator is located by the front passenger wheel well, to the left of the fan, under the AC. It is visible from under the hood. It is held in by two bolts on the top and the bottom.

There are a total of 4 nuts that must be taken off in order to release the alternator from the connectors.

To put the alternator back in, reverse these directions. Don't forget to put the belt back on!"

 

[thedelihaus]

Cheap parts- Sears Battery, $55, parts geek alternator, $64.75, total $120.

Expensive parts- Auto Parts Warehouse- battery $252.03, Auto parts Warehouse alternator- $159.89, total $412.



Quoted bill of $687, minus cost of expensive parts at $412, and one hour labor yourself, = $275 saved.

Quoted bill of $687, minus cost of $120 in cheaper parts, and 1 hour labor yourself = $567 saved.




Even at the expensive end of parts cost, that's still $275 in labor for a battery change and an alternator change.

 

[Brian]

Big question is whether you are comparing new against a rebuilt alternator. I still remember when you could buy a rebuilt battery. Good old days when they were sealed with tar. We even sole the plate kits and bottles of replacement battery acid.

 

[JonL]

It may not be as easy a job as it sounds. Sometimes it's difficult to get to the alternator. 2 hours is a possibility, doing a good job. If it was at a dealer, I'd be surprised if they didn't also change the belt, possibly the tensioner and/or idler pulley, replace battery terminals and/or cables, etc. One could argue that service like that is overkill and padding the bill, or one could argue that it is good PM and will save the owner a potential breakdown (especially if the owner is not too savvy about looking under the hood or taking it in for regular routine maintenance). Not trying to defend the dealer TOO much, just saying that good service isn't cheap.

 

[usedto]

I have a pair of new Mercedes alternators in the warehouse that tip the till at just over $6800 each. Of course, I'd discount them a little.........

 

[jocko_nc]

All the more reason to have an older car and DIY.

 

[skippy_ps]

Say $350 retail for the alternator and $150 retail for the battery plus an hour and a half for labor and you're right there at $685.

Murray

 

[thedelihaus]

I worked in the service industry so I hear what you're saying.

And a mechanic needs to maintain his tool chest, and balance out when that billed hour runs him 20 minutes vs. the one that gives him issues and takes two hours.



But.... this is an independent franchise style shop, and replaced the alternator with what seems to be a generic rebuilt one and generic battery.

No other parts touched as far as I know. Quite sure that's all it is.


And replacing one in a Jeep is pretty straightforward. I could do these in a half hour, taking my time.



Tools required: 7mm, 10mm, and 15mm sockets and 15mm box wrench or adjustable wrench.

Tips - for easier access, first remove the jack assembly, and the passenger side tension rod.

1. Disconnect the battery.

2. Release tension from the serpentine belt by loosing the bolt located to the left of the power steering pump (2.5L) - uses 15mm socket.

3. Belt should now easliy lift off of the alternator pully.

4. Unbolt the alternator - 15mm socket.

5. Disconnect the 5 power connectors - 7mm and 10mm sockets.

6. Remove alternator.

7. Install new alternator by reversing previous steps.

Have a new battery on hand, most likely the old one will be dead as well. Also, the serpentine belt must be VERY tight. You shouldn't be able to flip the belt over, or flex it much at all. If your engine squeals at low RPM's - tighten the belt.

 

[thedelihaus]

Say $350 retail for the alternator and $150 retail for the battery plus an hour and a half for labor and you're right there at $685.

Murray

Yes- but a trip to sears gets you a battery for $85.

A rebuilt alternator? As low as $65, and when I did this stuff for fun just a few years back, I'd get them for $85-$120, depending on what car.



The Jeep alternator is not obscure or anything special.

 

[edgooding]

It also depends on the year of the jeep. The newer ones are computer controlled and are expensive. And more than likely it is not that easy to install.
The price does not sound unreasonably high to me.

 

[similost]

You don't wanna know what it cost me to have a Torque Converter Solenoid Sensor (or some goofy sensor name like that) put in my Frontier just to get it to pass inspection because the dash light was on... didn't run any different afterwards.. and now the service engine light is BACK on.. Pisses me off when I see the taxi cabs that can pass inspection and mine can't without EXPENSIVE repairs..

 

[thedelihaus]

It also depends on the year of the jeep. The newer ones are computer controlled and are expensive. And more than likely it is not that easy to install.
The price does not sound unreasonably high to me.

1991 model, give or take a year.

Called Brockton Truck Sales- $85 rebuilt alternator with warranty. $120 without core exchange.

I've replaced these myself before. It's not difficult as later models. The engine compartment is roomy.

I worked for VW and understand what it takes to repair the coolant piping on a VR6 (cramped space and lotsa fiddly angles) and also am aware of the price for new (not rebuilt) and fancy-pants alternators, as well as uber-pricey things like the ECUs in early Passats.

I'm also aware of what it is to work on a V6 in a Fiero or a 302 in a Ford Mustang Fox body, compared to wrenching on an early 70's Monte Carlo, or Chevelle, or C-10 pickup.



Sorry, but a generic battery and a rebuilt starter with labor for an early 90's Wrangler shouldn't cost that much.

 

[x_25]

And this is why I do all of my own work. Including engine replacement.

 

[jhal]

You said it's a '91. Does it have a 4 cylinder or it is a straight 6? Automatic or manual?

Let me know and I will look up the labor time to replace it tomorrow at work. I know the 4.0 straight 6 Cherokees are pretty easy to do.