How much should a mechanic charge to install an alternator that isnt installed c

1. 54

   Kathy Martinezposted 12 years ago

   How much should a mechanic charge to install an alternator that isnt installed correctly?
   
   I had a friend put a new alternator in my 85 bmw.it died on me and the guys that helped me push it off the road ended up being mechanics!kinda strange but I guess I was pretty lucky,my question is how much should a mechanic charge you if your alternator is not bad but installed wrong,kinda upset .just wondering if anyone knows?

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2. 64

   Sapperposted 12 years ago

   It really depends on where the alternator is located, how hard it is to get to, and if it's on it's own belt. Most places will have a shop minimum, normally 1 hour labor, and it's been several years since I've taken a car to a mechanic but I want to say normally shops charge $60 an hour. With that being said, it shouldn't be any higher than $120, and that's a pretty high estimate. For most cars, it should take much less than an hour to finish.

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3. 81

   junksellerposted 12 years ago

   Like Sapper said it really depends. Alternators are generally pretty simple. Usually it is hard to physically install them wrong so it could be that it was simply miswired or the belt not properly tightened. That should be about a 10 minute fix. If it is physically on there wrong somehow, that might be a 1/2 hour job, unless it is really obnoxious to get to.
   
   In my experience labor charges will be $60-$100/hr. You might be able to find a shop that will only charge you a 1/2 hr rate. If you want a cheaper option, you could try checking local auto part stores. Sometimes you can find guys that will do work for you out in the parking lot. Or if you have a day or two to wait, try Craigslist. Put an ad for installing an alternator and offer 20 bucks.

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4. 64

   lupineposted 12 years ago

   i would say for both of you to agree on 1/2 of whatever he charged, since it was not installed correctly, but he did do the work and put in the time. You could pay someone else to adjust/reinstall with the other 1/2.

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