Alternator rebuild

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 3, 2026 | 02:10 PM

#16

Don Ridley

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2023

Posts: 1,318

Likes: 446

I can't find a website with exploded parts diagrams for Fords. It sucks! That boot is common and you may find a Dorman part that works. I would grab one from the junkyard since I go occasionally.

May 4, 2026 | 08:39 AM

#17

SpencerPJ

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2020

Posts: 1,366

Likes: 413

It likely will be part of a harness when you do find it. I'd take boot in local parts store, see what they have. Your system will work fine without as you search for a replacement.

May 4, 2026 | 08:53 AM

#18

Don Ridley

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2023

Posts: 1,318

Likes: 446

May 4, 2026 | 01:52 PM

#19

RacingJake

Cross-Country

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 62

Likes: 20

Is it the alternator, battery, ECM or BMS issue. New vehicles have a battery management system now and after replacing the battery you need to reboot the BMS to allow full charging. After buying a new battery you also pay for the reboot. What's next, paying to put air in your tires lol.

May 5, 2026 | 02:05 PM

#20

tseekins

Super Moderator

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 40,024

Likes: 1,519

From: Maine, Virginia

It's all about keeping us from rebuilding the alternator and forcing us into a dealer or well equipped shop.

May 5, 2026 | 04:26 PM

#21

JKBrad

Moderator

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 8,227

Likes: 1,241

From: San Antonio, TX

Everything is designed as remove and replace today. I know of no automotive repair shops that will rebuild anything today. The time and labor is the most expensive part these days.

May 6, 2026 | 10:34 AM

#22

GlueGuy

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 5,881

Likes: 359

From: Mts. S. of San Francisco

I think the intent is to reduce the total part count. Reduces the labor to produce.

May 6, 2026 | 12:43 PM

#23

JKBrad

Moderator

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 8,227

Likes: 1,241

From: San Antonio, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlueGuy

I think the intent is to reduce the total part count. Reduces the labor to produce.

Yep, time is quite literally money in the automotive repair business. All jobs are quoted based on time required to do the job. A good tech will almost always beat the book time, and get more jobs in. In most cases the parts are only a fraction of the cost of repair jobs. So, now shop is going to invest an hour or two, at $180 an hour to rebuild a $100 dollar alternator, starter, etc. They will replace the part with a new or already rebuilt one, and trade the one that was removed for a core credit. Most DIY guys do that now.

There used to be a business in San Antonio called S.X. Callaghan. They would rebuild just about anything that had an electric motor. They would rewind the coils, replace bushings, cables, diodes, etc. It got too expensive to operate, and went out of business. The would even fix vacuum cleaners, electric fans, weed eaters, you name it, if it had an electric motor in it. These days, the cores are sent to Mexico or Asia, and the rebuilt units are sent back here. All the other electric driven stuff gets thrown away when it breaks. Soon, sadly, that will include electric cars.