'92 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera S - Alternator

Tiny
ER1CW3115
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 OLDSMOBILE
I have a 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera S with 98000 for mileage. I was driving down the highway today going about 55 in light traffic, my battery light was on and my blinkers and my windshield wipers were a little sluggish. I didn't think it was a big deal and I would just charge the battery up when I got home. But I looked down at my speedometer and it said I was going 95 mph and the gas pedal locked up and there was a sudden jerk to the left. I pulled off the highway to see if the engine would turn over and I had no luck. Would this be a problem with the alternator? If so, how much would it cost to replace?
Thursday, January 25th, 2007 AT 4:44 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
The alternater is very likley the problem.

The cost of replacing a part is a very general question that unless specified exactly is hard to answer. First, is who is replacing the part? Is the Dealer, an independent repair shop, a junkyard, the guy next door or you doing the replacement. These will all yield different prices. Not to mention that within all of these will be different labor rates and different part price mark ups.
Second, what is the quality of the part? Is it a name brand, generic (white box, economy), OEM or used part? All of these will be different. Price will even differ between name brands, sometimes significantly. Thirdly, What is the warranty of the part and who is offering the warranty (the shop the parts house or the manufacturer). Limited Lifetime will have restrictions. Lifetime warranty isn’t always the best part either. Fourthly, Each vehicle can have different options that will affect how long it takes to change a part or make it call for a different part. Such as heavy duty cooling system, air conditioning, 4x4’s may have a steel plate that may need removal, Automatic or manual transmission, the list goes on. Fifthly, What additional parts will be required? Long life coolant or standard coolant, R12 or R134a air conditioning freon if it needs to be discharged or replaced? Additional adapters other fluids that may need to be added or changed? All of this will affect price. Sixthly, is the car a new car or an older car? Labor manuals or guides are set up based on a new car. Additional time may be required due to seized or rusted bolts, additional aftermarket accessories that were installed etc. So you can see where there is a great potential for variances. I offer this insight: If you take it to an independent garage like I always recommend, consider how long they have been in business. What is the quality of there work, are they hones
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Thursday, January 25th, 2007 AT 6:09 PM

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