I did the whole screwdriver-to-the-ear test to find out if and which pulley is squealing. I believe its the alternator pulley. I read that you have to replace the whole alternator and not just the pulley. I looked at napa and the new part is $300+, or the reman is $230(?). Now I've seen other brands for half the the price like DENSO.

Now my questions,

I read reman is a good choice but dont know how it works. I think I understand the "core" charge. But do I just give them my old alternator and get it back in a couple days? That mean I can't use my jeep?

Is DENSO a good brand?

Do you guys have budget websites that you find parts? I'm canadian so I'd prefer for Canadian suggestions for shorter shipping time.

 

What year is your Cherokee ?

 

Denso is a great brand.

The core charge is basically an exchange because you are buying a reman unit. The charge is null if you give them your old unit. They have to get the old ones back to keep the pipe line full. If you did't have one to you would have to pay the core.

Does RockAuto ship to Canada? The ACDelco (3342349) unit they have for $78 is probably as safe buy.

 

2001
sport 4wd if it matters

 

So do tHey give me a reman part with the core charge, I go home and switch it with the old one, then bring them the old one for the core refund?

 

Just making sure it's an XJ as sometimes newer Cherokee owners will accidentally post in the XJ section.

New or good quality reman is always advisable. Good condition from a wrecking yard is another option. The stock alternator we have in our XJ was also used in the Dodge Dakota pick up and other vehicles produced under the Chrysler umbrella.

 

So I learned something today. That the alternator in an '00 is a different part number then an '01.
Cause when you said a new one I was thinking Napa doesn't sell a new alternator for my '00.
Cause if they did I would have bought that instead of the remanned. Not that there have been any problems with my remanned one.
Besides the one for an '00 being a 120 amp and the one for an '01 being 117 amp I wonder what the difference is.
Cause they look the same to me.
But.....

When you bring back the core, the old one, they will refund the core charge and any tax paid on that money.
Make sure you bring it back in the box.

Assuming you have a 4.0 and that this is the remanned one for your Jeep.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/RSE2...pressionRank=1

Get on the Napa email list. Always sending 20% off offers.
If you are an AAA member looks like you can save 25% off at the link above.

Also there is a lifetime warranty with the alternator at that link.
I work there so have a tendency to buy most if not all my parts from there.
And one of the reasons is its easy.
Lets say there is a problem with the alternator down the road.
You go there. defect the old one, get a new one, easy peasy.
Still sucks that you have to do the job again but....
Buying online? How does that work? Do you have to send the old one in first? Etc
Sure it might never happen and you pay a little more but.....

Couple tips.
Might want to buy a new belt and pulley.
Also I say replace the alternator from the top.
I think it is just easier. Even with having to remove the battery box.
And the fact that you could bust 1 or more of the 3 bolts holding it in.

 

I have a new belt on there. Which pulley?

 

One if front of the power steering pump that you have to loosen to remove the belt.

 

Yes, that is how a core charge works.

 

Essentially. Not sure how RockAuto handles the core returns, as they are an online store. When purchase stuff with a core, it is figured into the final price.

 

On Rock Auto’s return page there is a core return option. Customer pays return shipping and there are 2 options. They can sell you a discounted return label that you print or you can ship it and provide them a tracking number. 3 days after they receive it they credit your card. They use USPS or Fedex for their printable labels. Alternator was $6.50 using fedex. IMO you can’t go wrong with Denso. OEM for many manufacturers.

 

Denso has been supplying the Auto and Moto makers for decades, good stuff.

 

Agreed with some of the other responses... I've seen Denso parts on my Toyota trucks in the past and never had an issue with the quality of the brand.

 

the tensioner/Idler pulley. If the belt on there now is at the correct tension, make sure to give it a twist while under tension and remember how far you could twist it. That will give you a ballpark tension to start with when installing the new pulley and belt.