Terrible experience with AutoZone alternator

So I replaced my Alternator with an AutoZone one on April 30th and battery light still did not go off, so AutoZone replaced battery for free, still light on. So I went through a crazy process of trying to track down many electrical problems before my shop just telling me it has to be the alternator, so I topok it back into AutoZone, and they tested it and it showed up as ok, so they gave me a new one 5 days ago, well that one was even worse, it did not kick on AC, it caused the tranny to not shift down to 1st in D, burnt out my fog lights, blew my fuse in my AMP, and cause the engine to overheat due to tranny issues. (Engine has NEVER previously overheated even in TX heat for 8+ yrs now)

So my shop replaced with an alternator rebuilt with quality parts here in the good ole USA and all problems are now gone. Something to do with the cheap diodes and voltage regulators that the AutoZone rebuilders use are not compatible with our VX's at the moment. Yes it was the right part, no it does not work with our VX's. Rebuild shop said they are seeing this more and more with AutoZone "lifetime replacement parts".

AutoZone eventually gave me my money back after some polite complaining and showing them the report and tests done by my honest shop. Oh well. All is well now :-)

Isuzus DO NOT like box store brand alternators. If they work at all they will die in a few months. Bosch and Napa Gold are the ones most others have found to work well. Starters arent much different when it comes to box store ones. Replaced the starter on my nieces toyota once. Went through every starter on the shelf at Checker and Autozone. They all tested fine on the test bench but I only managed to find one that would even crank (not even in the vehicle) with a brand new 750 amp battery. Had to hook them up with jumper cables in their parking lot to prove to them their starters were crap.

I went through a series of dead batteries on my '82 Mustang a few years ago, and eventually took the car to an auto electric specialist. Turns out the alternator was OK, but the pulley was the wrong size. Would not spin the alternator fast enough to keep up with the combination of starter, radio, A/C, brake lights, headlights and turn signals, and it eventually drained the battery. I never drove it enough to keep it charged. He installed a smaller pulley and I now keep it on a Battery Tender, so no more battery issues. I hope this guy is still around if I ever have problems with my VX.

I use to work for the company that rebuilds auto zones parts and your right.They do use the cheaper version of brushes diodes voltage regulators in almost all there reman parts.The odd thing is nappa car quest orileys pep boys advance were our customers.Each parts company has certain requirements for there parts .I guess it is your choice buy cheap get cheap .I like to have my parts rebuilt locally if it electrical.Now I rebuild my own steering gear boxes window lifts wiper motors and drive shafts.

I love my napa store

good parts are not cheap
cheap parts are not good