Do alternators die over time just sitting? As in could I get one from a 'yard, or would it just be junk? Thanks. -zorg

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They can. It's possible, but not necessarily probable. Moisture can ruin the windings, and diodes made of silicon may age. How much does your local yard charge? You maybe better off with a $20-30 cheapie local partstore rebuilt item.

I think this issue is about time and value. Most larger chain parts stores offer lifetime warranties, usually for as long as you own the car. If you plan on holding onto the car for a while, I think that this is the better way to go. In my area, the large corporate yards (pick-n-pull) offer 30 day warranties giving you enough time to discover if the unit works. Even with this offer, I still go with the parts house models, that way, if it fails, even long after 30 days, you can just swap it over the counter rather than having to resume searching through the yards. Not sure about your area but the yards are starting to get muddy from the rain... part store are heated and dry.