AutoZone on Elm Street sold me a bad alternator 3 times in one week

My 2004 Civic died last Tuesday in the parking lot. Walked into AutoZone on Elm Street. Guy behind the counter didn't even test my battery. Just handed me a reman alternator for $140. Drove home, car died again that night. Same guy said bring it back. Second one was DOA. Third one finally worked but I lost two days of work. Took it to a shop later. They said the first two had bad voltage regulators from the factory. Has anyone else had a chain store sell them parts that just don't work?

2 comments

2 Comments

janac519d ago

Did you try to get a refund on your lost wages too? I learned the hard way that reman alternators are a total gamble because rebuilders cut corners on voltage regulators. Best move is to have them bench test the replacement right in front of you before you leave the store.

kim_martin8d ago

Kept getting the runaround from the counter guy too at a different AutoZone. Third time I walked in and asked for the store manager. Told him I'm not leaving until I see them test the alternator on the bench with the machine hooked up. He rolled his eyes but did it. Wouldn't you know it, that one was bad too. They had three on the shelf that were all junk. Ended up going to a starter and alternator rebuild shop across town and paid $90 for one they tested in front of me. Made me wonder how many people they've done this to who just gave up and bought another one.