salute to all forum members.
kudos to ManB & RocketFuel.
you guys did not get all the knowledge solely from forums.
enjoying a car is a "hands on" experience.
getting our fingers dirty is one way of putting it.
cheers always
My spectra ALTERNATOR kaput I guess 2 weeks ago, the symptom was
a)gearchange is jerky as not enough current drawn from battery (the gear really consume awefull amount of current)
b)gearchange from stop very slow to go to higher gear
c)car feel sluggish as electric only drawn from battery
d)reverse sensor suddenly kaput
Then changed alternator at kia metro, they say recond one cost RM250 but always breakdown wth many complaints. A better korean one cost RM665 with quality similar to genune one and a genuine is RM800++. So sent car there and took the RM665 one. But the brand on the box is "Rebilt" with Korean wording. I saw the supplier is "Express Genuine Parts". I called the supplier and was told the "Rebilt" brand cost only RM270 and it is an actually Korean reconditioned alternator.
Wonder if I'm really got slaughtered by kia metro and if this is true, I pray these folks may burnt and rot in hellfire. I don't mind for 5% mark up but 120% mark up for parts is the ugliest dupery ever. So advise you, any parts, call few shop first and compare prices. I've called few kia parts seller and none sells genuine spectra alternator what a world of wonders.
After alternator change, the pickup and gearchange are so wonderful, sensitive and responsive. Suspect, the alternator won't die sudden death. It deteriorated overtime (like 5 years) with reduce efficiency and would affect the gearchange and thus performance no matter what mobil 1 or XR-1 you use. I'm no automotive guy, but today I did learn something on alternator yeee haaa albeit got conned big time.