“It truly costs $800 to change those out?”
A woman recently had her alternator repaired for $1,000, but another issue arose, and she was quoted $800 to replace it. She decided enough was enough and researched how to perform the repair herself, inspiring viewers to do the same.
On TikTok, @deoveonee shares the process of replacing her alternator after watching a few YouTube videos.
Her TikTok has generated over 91,600 views as of this writing.
“So, ya girl is out here replacing an alternator because mother[expletive] wanna charge me $800 to replace the alternator. I just got this [expletive] put in. I just spent a band two weeks ago,” she begins.
Instead of spending $800 on another alternator replacement from a mechanic, she grabbed the tools and got to work.
She starts with a socket wrench and goes headfirst underneath the hood. While this is new for the woman, she is taking her time and unscrewing parts without issue.
“Because I am a handyman,” she expresses.
She moves the belt to the side and pops out the alternator after a few tugs.
“You gotta wiggle and jiggle it out,” she explains.
While holding the alternator, the woman is in disbelief that she has actually removed it. After a sigh of relief, the woman is proud to have replaced the alternator.
However, she still needs to complete the final step: testing the car. She turns on the car, and there is no battery warning light.
“YAY!! $800 SAVED!!!” the onscreen text reads.
“Oh my god, I fixed it,” she concludes.
What was quoted as an $800 job ended up costing the woman only $30.
“Yes yall, I disconnected the battery before doing anything! I also didn’t pay for anything but my tools because my alternator was under warranty. So [it] was a $30 job,” she commented.
Viewers went to the comments section to express excitement and admiration for the woman tackling this alternator repair.
“And YOU GOT IT! Girl rock auto got all the parts,” one TikTok commenter shared.
“You did that!!!!! Ladies we got this!” another added.
This type of example of a woman completing a DIY repair is especially important, as auto shops have been accused of charging women more for repairs.
Meanwhile, other viewers mentioned repairs they’ve done themselves with the help of YouTube.
“I swear YouTube University saved me so much $ over the years. I became my own electrician, HVAC tech + more,” one commented.
“BECAUSE WHO SAYS YOU CANT??? I replaced my air air intake tube with my husband in like 1 hr because Im not giving these mechanics anymore money,” another shared.
“I can definitely change my bumper now you just gave me hope,” a third commented.
“Hell yeah you can!! YouTube is your best friend !!” the TikToker replied.
After seeing this TikTok, it may be tempting to attempt this alternator replacement yourself. Sometimes, seeing another everyday person become a mechanic can inspire you to go for it. So, what exactly does changing an alternator entail?
According to Advanced Auto Parts, changing an alternator is considered to be an intermediate repair job. This job isn’t complicated; it just requires some research into the process before starting.
J.D. Power reports that an alternator replacement consists of ensuring all electronic components are off, disconnecting the battery, and removing any wires from the rear alternator. Once this is complete, the old alternator can be removed and the new one installed.
To do this job, you’ll need an alternator, car tools, rags, gloves, a replacement belt, a belt tensioner tool, and a voltmeter.
Expect the job to take an estimated 2–4 hours. This is not an exhaustive list of what is required to perform the repair, so make sure to conduct research and develop a plan of action before taking anything apart.
The cost to replace an alternator, including the part alone, ranges from $100 to $350. When service is performed at the dealership, this replacement can range from $350 to $900, but it can easily exceed $1,000 in total, according to J.D. Power.
So, considering this repair can rack up into the four-digit price range, it becomes compelling to do it yourself. The TikToker showed everyone that this repair is possible to do without any prior experience, and it can be good to push yourself into learning something new.
Motor1 has contacted @deoveonee via TikTok direct message and commented on the post. We’ll update this if she responds.
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