Alternators Unlimited

There are a number of important environmental, economic and financial reasons why it is a good idea to have your alternator or starter repaired-​rebuilt locally. So, rather than buying a new or re-​manufactured starter at a store or online, when my starter became unreliable I had it repaired-​rebuilt at Alternators Unlimited.
The price was reasonable, done quickly (1 day), Sal and partner are knowledgeable, but the service has room for improvement:
1) When a business quotes a price for a defined service on the phone they need to stand behind that price, not attempt to jack it up a little when the customer shows up at the counter with starter in hand. Customers make decisions based on price.
2) If it turns out that just one part is broken, just repair that part and any parts that are likely to wear out. It’s a waste of resources to replace a solenoid when the bendix is the only thing broken.
3) Similarly, it is a waste of time and resources to take a clean, dirt-​oil-​free starter and grind-​solvent-​clear coat the exterior to make it shiny and bright. This also ends up destroying the foam gasket on the starter nose.
4) As with many businesses in Berkeley, this one has the habit of trying to bullshit its way out of problems — saying the gasket is not important is kind of an insult to a customer. The foam gasket on the starter nose is there for a reason, it keeps dirt and water out of the bendix (duh, which just had to be replaced because it was worn out) and motor. One minuter of time, a little glue and replacing the gasket when I pointed it out is what a 4 star business does.
5) It would be better to have the 1 year warranty in writing.
I encourage Unilocalers to try Alternators Unlimited and, with my review in mind, pressure them to become a 5 star service. I’ll update and increase the rating to 4 stars if my starter is problem-​free for the next couple years.
P. S. No «grade inflation» in my ratings: 3 star = A-​OK = good, 4 star = very good — I’m a fan, 5 star = as good as it gets = almost no room for improvement = rare

Okay, I am going to try and be open minded. This happened quite a few years ago. So now they may try to be more careful. but I brought a starter in from a 1965 IH van. I was trying to keep the money in the «Neighborhood» you might say. Well, long story short, they rebuild it, gave it back to me this of course after I personally removed it. I reinstalled it. It crapped out right away. I removed it again. They apolgized and re tightened the various parts they forgot to do. Then I reinstalled it. It finally worked. next time I will go to a O’reiley, etc around the area. Why? because they did not give me anything for their screw up. not a penny back. Just them saying that if I send someone else there that the other person will get a discount??? Anyone can screw up but a little discount back will heal all wounds. Gee, Thanks.

Great service. very polite, and knowledgeable customer service. Cannot stress how helpfull these guys were. They have been in business longer than I have been on this earth. Glad I found these guys on Unilocal.Highly reccomend them for your next alternator or starter

This is my boyfriends go to spot, he’s a do-​it-​yourself kinda guy and likes tinkering with his car. He took in his alternator because he couldn’t figure out what the problem was, well Sal hooked him up. He put it on some machine and told him the problem within seconds. He was able to replace the defective part for a super reasonable price. Waaaayyyy cheaper and friendlier than those auto places.
We like to support our local small business and this is one that won’t disappoint! You can tell they’ve been around for a long time, they have that old skool customer service, you know where they’re actually nice to you!

When a shop quoted me $ 900+installation for a new water-​cooled alternator, I immediately called these guys. For $ 230 I got a new diode pack, regulator, bearings repacked and everything cleaned AND it was done same day. These guys really know alternators and are the ONLY place I’ll go.

Disclaimer: I didn’t buy an alternator from these guys nor did I have one rebuilt. Being somewhat handy myself, I decided to rebuild my own. I came to Sal because I needed a different pulley for my alternator. He and the guy at the counter (junior, I think?) were super helpful, gave me some tips on what parts needed replacing and which I could reuse (since I’m on a budget) and got me the pulley I needed. $ 10, freshly bead blasted, and zapped on with the correct spacer. Couldn’t be happier. Treated me like a guy who was spending real money ;)

I’m glad the shop I ordered from initially lost my order and caused me to be more persistent with my search, or I’d never have found this shop.
As noted, Sal and the fellow at the counter who helped me initially are incredibly polite. They took extra time with me because I was a little skeptical and concerned about the cost to reassure me it would be ok.
I sure don’t want to have to replace anymore alternators, but I’m glad I found these guys for when I do!

I keep going back to these guys… and it’s been over five years. They are easy to talk to, have no problems testing an alternator if I’m having problems and if I need one the price is reasonable. I usually talk to Salvador and walk away as always very happy I walked through their front door. The quality of work is great.

Several phone calls and a bike ride later I show up with my alternator. Salvador checks it out and tells me it is ok. He sells me a new voltage regulator at a great price.
While I was there several mechanics from shops came in for parts and alternators. Salvador knew them by name, was polite and more than anything else got what they wanted quickly.
If you are into the ‘vibe’ then you will love this place. There must be thousands of alternators in this place. They rebuild them but also stock thousands. Narrow isles with alternator from floor to ceiling. Shelves full of parts. Work benches with alternators in various stages of repair. It is really amazing.

This place seems to have been around for a long time, and I can see why– the owner Sal is a good business man. I gave him a call to see about rebuilding an alternator that went bad, and he had it in stock. Drive over there a couple hours later, talk to him, and he already has it out! Swapping the core, he saw that the pulleys were different and promptly changed my old one to the new one, so everything else worked together. Did it without a second thought. I’ll definitely be coming here in the future (providing I’ll need another alternator)