posted 04-26-2001 06:58            

A while ago, while buying parts for my car I happened to stop into a business that sold nothing but rebuilt alternators and starters. I had been there in the past and found them to be both cheap and reliable.

The first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was the big sign along the back wall. The sign had originally given basic warrantee statements and pricing policies, and had been neatly printed by a sign maker somewhere. There were now changes made thoroughout the document, made in black crayon.

Of particular note was the area that used to say "6 month warantee on all alternators and starters" It had been changed to "15 day mandatory state minimum warantee on all starturs and alternaters"

That right there should have tipped me off.

Needless to say, 3 hours later I was back. I had installed a new alternator and after 5 minutes lights started going on in the car. I pulled out my testy voltmeter (never leave home without it) and tested the output. It was putting 17 volts into a 12 volt battery. The battery began to hiss and bubble while I was testing it.

I went immediately back to the shop and pulled out the alternator. I went in, slammed it down on the counter, and said "Hey, this is broken."

The man walks over, looks at it and says "It looks alright to me."

"Well, its putting out 17V"
"Hrm.. whats your battery look like?"
"Its bubbling an foaming now. Your alternator kinda boiled it"
"Well... I think the battery killed my alternator"
"Say what?"
"Well, you see, a bad battery can make an alternator die"
"Say what? Its been in there a grand total of 10 minutes"
"I've seen them die with a bad battery in less than 5"

He then had me bring the battery in the shop. I comply, making sure to spill a good deal of sulfuric acid on his counter. He touches an amp meter to the battery (blowing the fuse) and says "Yep, this battery is bad"

I was actually speechless. In the end he agreed to replace the alternator but only if I replaced the battery first. Then he told me that there would be NO warrantee on the second alternator. I started to name off state agencies that would be VERY interested in his business practices and he just looked at his watch and said "Oh... look at the time.. I've got to close early today for an appointment I cant miss. Goodbye!!"

One year later now, and the alternator has failed again.

Three problems:
1) Next time I see a business has lowered their warantee from 6 months to the state required minimum, I'm walking out.
2) A bad battery will not destroy an alternator in 10 minutes. A bad alternator WILL destroy a battery in 10 minutes.
3) You do NOT test a battery with an ampmeter. It will do nothing but blow the fuse.

Anyone else have a story like this? Post it here or mail me

posted 04-26-2001 08:28            

But alas, something went wrong and I lost my story, the product of 30 minutes' worth of typing, proofreading, and retyping.

posted 04-26-2001 11:01            

Eh... as for me, I ALWAYS buy stuff that's made on monday. Electronics like cd-players and such WILL brake exactly 1 week after the warranty expires.
Nowadays I always let my GF do the payments (with my money yes...) of electronic gear of any kind... I think it helps... still have warranty on some of the equipment... I hope all goes well..