My Jeep Needs a Starter ... Where can I get one?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Apr 9, 2008
Messages
17,757
Location
Central NY
I have to say I'm very disappointed with Napa, again. EVERY replacement part that goes on my vehicles is the PREMIUM napa part. I try to buy the best of the best so I'm not replacing again in a few years.

A few years ago, the Starter went out on my Taurus. I bought a new premium NAPA starter and it just ground the flexplate on the first few tries. Napa refused to take it back since it always bench tested fine.

Ended up running a junkyard starter in the car.

The starter on my Cherokee is on its way out (original). Again, I went to NAPA and made the mistake of buying their starter. Guess what - it just ground on the flexplate but wouldn't engage at all. For what it's worth, I was able to install the original and have it work and ended up picking a "good looking" starter from the junkyard for now.

Where can I get a GOOD FUNCTIONAL aftermarket starter? Or should I just buy the kit to rebuild the junkyard starter?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Try rockauto. You can go from a lower end reman $75 to a high end reman $225 and a new for $228. Denso and AC-Delco are good units that should last you a long time. I have always had good luck using either when replacing starters. Also, use the coupon code
 
I don't bother w/ NAPA; they have this reputation among some that they have superior parts, but I just see higher prices.
for a starter, I've never had a problem w/ advance auto, they usually have rebuilts in a few different prices ranges, main difference is the length of warranty. get a coupon applied when you order off the website and pick up in store.
 
If you what the best of the best just go OEM. OEM part at the dealer for your Jeep is $250. Online you can get a OEM for around $190.
 
Originally Posted By: mpvue
I don't bother w/ NAPA; they have this reputation among some that they have superior parts, but I just see higher prices.
for a starter, I've never had a problem w/ advance auto, they usually have rebuilts in a few different prices ranges, main difference is the length of warranty. get a coupon applied when you order off the website and pick up in store.


I get a very generous discount from Advance through the local jeep club. I wouldn't be able to use the coupon code... but it'd be more than the coupon.


Thinking that advance is my next stop

Originally Posted By: strongt
If you what the best of the best just go OEM. OEM part at the dealer for your Jeep is $250. Online you can get a OEM for around $190.



I absolutely despise Chrylser corporation for a number of reasons. I will not give a penny of my hard earned money to such a horrible, incompetent organization.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Miller88

I absolutely despise Chrylser corporation for a number of reasons. I will not give a penny of my hard earned money to such a horrible, incompetent organization.


Why you driving one of the products then ? Sounds like the aftermarket products you've been giving your hard earned money to have been treating worse the OEM product that treated you with 12 years of life.

If you don't what to go aftermarket or OEM then you best bet is to just rebuild the original. Do it your shelf or take it to a local rebuild shop.
 
Rebuilding a starter isn't rocket science, since you have two I'm sure you could get some brushes, if necessary clean and lube the rest and give it a shot. Most die from lack of lube and short brushes.

Do you have a local auto electric shop?
 
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
Try rockauto. You can go from a lower end reman $75 to a high end reman $225 and a new for $228. Denso and AC-Delco are good units that should last you a long time. I have always had good luck using either when replacing starters. Also, use the coupon code

Get the part number from Rockauto, try to get total price too, then try Amazon. Most of the time Amazon has it for less shipping included.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
Take it to a local rebuilder.


That sounds good on paper, but in some areas they are getting scarce. In my case, the guy is over an hour away and turnaround is a couple of days.
My Jeep needed a starter about 6 months ago. I hit several local part stores and they just laughed when I asked for starter PARTS. One told me that he hadn't sold individual starter parts, even for the old popular Delco starters, for several years. Rock Auto listed the parts, but I needed my Jeep immediately. I grudgingly bought one at O'Reillys. Chances are it won't last as long as the original one that I took off.
 
Originally Posted By: Smoky14
Rebuilding a starter isn't rocket science, since you have two I'm sure you could get some brushes, if necessary clean and lube the rest and give it a shot. Most die from lack of lube and short brushes.


I was also going to suggest this. I have fixed a few alternators, but I've never had a starter go on my, but if I did, I'd try to fix it myself.
 
Originally Posted By: Kruse

My Jeep needed a starter about 6 months ago. I hit several local part stores and they just laughed when I asked for starter PARTS. One told me that he hadn't sold individual starter parts, even for the old popular Delco starters, for several years. Rock Auto listed the parts, but I needed my Jeep immediately. I grudgingly bought one at O'Reillys. Chances are it won't last as long as the original one that I took off.


Alternator parts (even brushes) can be hard to come by locally. It's pretty much mail order only. You can always try a JY route, but yes this is often only workable if you have another car to drive (or can take the bus or ride a bike to work) or keep your old one as a spare and rebuild it.
 
Originally Posted By: Chris142
I guess I'm fortunate to have 3 starter and alternator rebuilders on town. the guy we use is on the other side of our wall and he rents from us


Now you bring this up...
crazy.gif
 
Originally Posted By: strongt
Originally Posted By: Miller88

I absolutely despise Chrylser corporation for a number of reasons. I will not give a penny of my hard earned money to such a horrible, incompetent organization.


Why you driving one of the products then ? Sounds like the aftermarket products you've been giving your hard earned money to have been treating worse the OEM product that treated you with 12 years of life.

If you don't what to go aftermarket or OEM then you best bet is to just rebuild the original. Do it your shelf or take it to a local rebuild shop.

He bought his Chrysler product before the bailout and bankruptcy of 2008 and 2009. Now he doesn't want anything to do with that company.
 
Try SteveWhiteMotors.COM I have bought several parts from them at very good prices. They are a Jeep & Dodge & Chrysler dealership so you will get genuine parts.

Also try EBAY, I have found parts (electric fan & mirror) that were genuine Jeep parts that someone must have bought by mistake or something.

Local rebuilders? Yes they seem to be a dying breed. One near me only seems to do huge starters like from offroad quarry trucks or big bulldozers. Another one still does normal car & truck ones.

RockAuto. ACDelco should be a decent starter.
 
for starters I use autozone and get the one with lifetime warranty when/if it goes toes up I pull and put in another one for free. Same with alternators.

If it tests bad they wont give you any beef. I turned in one alternator that tested good but squeeked and squirked when you spun the pulley. parts guy was like it still charges so its good. I said not in my book, the bearings are shot. I got a puzzeled look, but they swapped it out anyway.

Or if your lucky you have a good old time shop that does nothing by starter and alternator rebuilds. If I had local one I would use it. From what I have heard they are usually pretty cheap and they are as good as new when they are done.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I get all my parts from RockAuto and Amazon.

Me too. I got most my non-emergency parts the last few years from either Rockauto or Amazon, mostly Amazon. They are usually 20-40% less than local sources.

The parts that I need right away such as starter, crankshaft position sensor, alternator ... so the engine can start or run then I let my mechanic gets it from his sources.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom