Help! Estima Lucida alternator problems

[Elphie]

Hi all, my mum's '96 Estima is running out of steam unfortunately. It's now stopped charging the Battery properly and the garage are wanting nearly £500 to put a new alternator in. 

I've read that low voltage can be caused by corroded wires and not necessarily the alternator itself. 

Anyone know of any actions I can take to check everything before the garage have to replace? 

Mum's a pensioner so this is a really big deal for her. 

Many thanks in advance...

🙂

Alternatively does anyone know where my mum could buy a refurbished or replacement alternator at a reasonable price? Does anyone on the forum do parts at all? 😊

Edited October 31, 2019 by Elphie
Extra info added

[RUToyota]

You could try an auto-electrician..he may rebuild/refurbish for much less cost.?

[flash22]

Had a quick look the alternator is £240 (brand new lucas) inc a £60 refundable surcharge (with discount) for the core, i would not put a re manufactured one on the car (well not a Remy or RTX chinese one)

[Elphie]

Thank you. I didn't know alternators could definitely be refurbished. I'll ring round some auto-electricians tomoz. 

I think the garage are pulling a bit of a fast one as it seems like the core is worth £60? Am I right in that assessment?

I'll make a decision tomorrow. Hopefully the cost can be reduced to not quite so bad. 🙂

[Elphie]

Hi all who replied. 

I took mum's car to an auto-electrician and he repaired the actuator on the alternator which has solved the problem. 🤩 Thank you so much for all your help. 

The repair cost £95 so I gave the guy an extra fiver for a pint for making my mum's day! 😫🙂 

I have another question but will start another thread for that...thanks again. 

Apologies for the blue grimace smiley, couldn't find a way to delete it

[ob1cnoby]

anyone with this same problem (alternator) theres a great guy in Batley Yorks (Alternate) Colin who fixed mine for £33 inc a new diode plate

[RUToyota]

On 11/14/2019 at 12:47 AM, Elphie said:

Hi all who replied. 

I took mum's car to an auto-electrician and he repaired the actuator on the alternator which has solved the problem. 🤩 Thank you so much for all your help. 

The repair cost £95 so I gave the guy an extra fiver for a pint for making my mum's day! 😫🙂 

I have another question but will start another thread for that...thanks again. 

Apologies for the blue grimace smiley, couldn't find a way to delete it

Glad you got it sorted and hope that all is still going well (belated)

[RUToyota]

8 hours ago, ob1cnoby said:

anyone with this same problem (alternator) theres a great guy in Batley Yorks (Alternate) Colin who fixed mine for £33 inc a new diode plate

Thanks...always good to know.