First time was with a reman alternator which starting acting up about 8 months in. The second was a new WAI one and that's been going strong for over a year.
Pros: going strong over a year
Cons: reman acted up
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Mike makes some of the highest output alts at idle outta the industry and Mike singer is very good at what he does and he is a small business
Pros: highest output at idle, very good quality
I am running a 130 amp TYC alternator from a Nissan Titan. It's 100% bolt in. It's cheaper than the 110 amp stock one too, just over $100 on Amazon IIRC. I have used TYC alternators 3 times, never had any issues.
Pros: 100% bolt in, cheaper
Cons: none
Vehicle:
Nissan
We just replaced the wife's X three weeks ago. Had the same problem you had with a battery light and brake light. Ended going to AutoZone when we were in vacation and got a Duralast Gold and had a local mechanic do the install.
Vehicle:
Nissan
Buy a Denso or OEM Honda alternator if you want to do the job once. The cheap Chinese-made brands and auto-parts store brands will die within a year or two. Ask me how I know!
Pros: reliable, long lasting
Cons: dies within years
Vehicle:
Honda
The alternator itself can get bad only if the bearings are shot. If you don't have play on the shaft, and it spins freely then the alternating part of the alternator is fine. What can get pretty bad are the diode rectifier bridge.
Pros: spins freely
Cons: bearings shot
If you have the V6 4.3 it's one of the more dependable motors GM ever made. The factory alt is rated at 105 amps. Should be enough for your needs.
Pros: dependable motor, enough amps
I took the alternator apart as well, but it's quite worn and a new one does not cost a fortune, so it's not worth it to refurb it.
Pros: new one affordable
Cons: quite worn
Vehicle:
Audi 80
my local garage replaced with an aftermarket. Two weeks ago the squeak of bad bearings arrived and *it* had to be replaced. A different mechanic (Honda specialist) said OEM parts were very hard to find, even here in Los Angeles, so they installed a better aftermarket alternator. That was a squeaker. Then they installed another: squeaker. Now I'm waiting for the delivery of a Denso alternator from Texas that's arriving on Friday. $100 more but I've got my fingers crossed.
Cons: squeak of bad bearings
Vehicle:
Honda
What bugs me now is that it seems the alt doesn't quite put out. Dash light (at least the one I put under the dash since the one in-dash quit working) won't go out. Goes from bright to dim when the alt should excite.
Cons: doesn't put out
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Jetta
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