Renault Clio MK2 alternator needs replacing... HELP!!

Question

Ok, my battery light was showing last night. Today completely flat, Jumped it and managed to get it my boyfriend's Mechanic who said its the alternator that needs replacing. (cut story, had an argument with bf) So now im left to sort the car, i've no clue where to start. Ive read on here about Halfords doing a Service Unit Exchange.

What is it? And how much around?

Im round the corner from Halfords so could push my car round if need be!

Thanks

Answer 1

You should ask around to find a decent garage, best people to ask are usually older men (I'm sorry but women do get treated like they know nothing by alot of garages, even if they know more than the mechanics) who used to fix their own cars but don't anymore, they usually know the most reliable garages who are honest.

Ps. if you get a battery charger and charge the battery overnight you should be able to drive the car to a garage if it's not too far.

Answer 2

When an alternator fails it normally the bearings or the brushes that have packed up. As a result the rest of the alternator is fine, with a service exchange the old dead alternator is serviced and all te duff parts are replaced.

The main advantage of this is that the cost of the service exchange is substantially lower than a complete new alternator.

Halfords can not only supply the service exchange unit, they can also fit it for you.

Ja.

Answer 3

i agree with ian s. only temporary

Answer 4

When you take the car to the garage they will stand looking at the car going "OHHHHHHHHHHHH THAT IS GOING TO COST YOU" and make sucking noises.

Then Kev (its always Kev) will come out of the office and have a look and he will go "oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh that will be expensive"

Answer 5

An alternator would cost around £90-£100, see here;

http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/search...

(Listed as rotating electrics)

It'll take about half an hour to fit.

If you can't do it yourself, you may as well pay this mechanic chap to do it. Halfords supply them but won't fit them either.

Answer 6

Make it up with the BF, cheapest way out,doesnt have to be permanent,just till the cars fixed.

:)

Answer 7

In my opinion, and due to my experience with french cars, Renault also, changing the alternator in a Clio does take less than an hour, and the new part  costs less than 200 bucks.

This is something like a good basis to discuss on with your mechanics....