How Much Does an Alternator Cost?

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An alternator is a critical component of your car’s electrical system. The alternator provides a steady power source for onboard electronics and for charging your battery. If anything goes wrong with your alternator, expect the “check engine” light to warn you about a problem. And then, of course, you might start to wonder: How much does an alternator cost?

Hopefully, the situation won’t require you to replace the alternator. But if that’s the case, the alternator’s replacement cost depends on several factors. The devil is in the details, but expect to spend around $300 for a basic alternator. If you own an exotic vehicle, such as an Aston Martin or Lamborghini, the price tag could be as much as $900.

Regardless, don’t despair. There are numerous money-saving options for acquiring an alternator on eBay.

New vs. Rebuilt Alternators

Most alternators will include a pulley as part of the replacement component.

The first decision is whether to buy a new or rebuilt alternator. A new alternator will likely cost between $200 and $400 and come with a two-year warranty. However, because all the pieces are brand new, you can expect the alternator to last well beyond the warranty period. A rebuilt alternator can reduce the cost to around $100, but you might not get a warranty.

You can save even more by purchasing an alternator rebuild kit for less than $50. It will include all the parts necessary to bring your alternator back to life. Typically a kit consists of new brushes and bearings and electronic pieces like diodes, rectifiers, and resistors.

Kits can be purchased that allow you to rebuild your alternator.

A rebuild kit is especially beneficial if your car was restored with date-correct parts and you want to use an original alternator casing. If you’re a DIYer and have the time, it’s a fun project to take an alternator apart and put it back together.

Used Alternators

Some alternators will be challenging to access and remove.

A used alternator is also a viable cost-saving option. Most used alternators are tested to ensure they still work well. We recommend buying one with a warranty and return policy. eBay sellers offer a wide selection of used alternators for between $50 and $100.

Used alternators can be a low-cost option.

A used alternator will likely have many miles of use, so expect it to fail sooner than a new unit. Fitment is not a concern if you buy a unit from your car’s twin.

Here are two examples of the price range for a replacement alternator based on the route you take:

• 2020 Ford F-150 XLT
  A used alternator might sell for between $140 and $200, while a rebuilt unit costs about $225 to $475. If you buy a factory replacement, expect to pay around $700 for a new unit.
• 2016 Toyota Camry
  Used units for slightly aged Camry could sell for $125 to $200. Rebuilt alternators sell for $300 to $400, while a factory replacement sells for around $450.

Amperage

Some replacement alternators come with a chrome finish to add bling under the hood.

An alternator is rated based on its power output, measured in amperage. The higher number indicates the amps when cruising at high rpm, perhaps 125 peak amps. When you’re idling, the power output drops drastically. Many alternators list a second amperage rating for idling, commonly around 40 amps.

The replacement must provide at least as much amperage as the original alternator. Your owner’s manual should list the alternator specs. If you have added power-hungry accessories, consider upping your budget by $200 or more for a higher-rated alternator.

One-Wire vs. Three-Wire Alternators

Alternators with a single wire connect the battery’s positive terminal to the alternator’s positive terminal. This setup requires a certain engine rpm before the alternator will provide sufficient power. Meanwhile, a three-wire alternator initializes power as soon as the engine starts and is a safer choice for a car with extra power demands for audio and lighting.

Shop now for alternators

Most cars are designed with a three-wire design, but some enthusiasts switch to one wire to clean up the engine bay. There is not much cost difference between a one- and three-wire setup, so choose based on electrical needs and looks.