Finally swapped a junkyard alternator onto my '97 Civic and it actually works

Pulled a Denso alternator from a 2000 Civic at Pick-n-Pull for $25 last Saturday. Spent two hours cleaning the contacts with a wire brush and testing the bearings before I even put it on. Fires up perfect now and my battery light finally stays off. Anyone else ever get that weird joy from a cheap junkyard part actually lasting?

2 comments

2 Comments

thea14312d ago

The 2000 Civic alternator is a solid choice, I've put two of those in different cars over the years. That wire brush trick is key, I always hit the terminals with some dielectric grease too before bolting it down, keeps corrosion from creeping back in. Also check the belt tension in a few weeks, sometimes a junkyard alternator can be a hair different and throw the adjustment off. I've had great luck with Denso units from that generation, they seem to outlast the car sometimes.

quinnmitchell12d ago

Wait, you've put two of those in different cars? Like you had a 2000 Civic alternator just lying around the second time? That's some serious dedication to one specific part.