WPS/Power Select Alternators and Starter Motors

RockAuto now offers Alternators and Starter Motors from WPS/Power Select, as well as expanded coverage on Distributors, Ignition Coils, Camshaft Synchronizers and Wiper Motors. Designed to exceed the performance of the original part, WPS/Power Select parts are 100% new and ensure a long service life with unsurpassed reliability and durability.

Benefits of WPS/Power Select Alternators include:

• Protection from excessive charging or failure due to shorts in your car's wiring that can cause spikes or open circuits
• Consistent performance from manufacturing processes that exceed your vehicle's original specifications for wiring, bearings and components helping to resist heat and moisture
• Longer life of the alternator through the use of premium brushes and other critical components that resist failure or poor performance

Benefits of WPS/Power Select Starters include:

• Consistent starting power with a high quality solenoid that properly engages the starter drive with the flywheel in your vehicle every time the ignition key is turned
• High standards for components like wiring, brushes, insulation, bearings and coatings for consistent performance in all environmental conditions
• High performance machining of the starter casing for ease of installation and solid joining of the starter housing and your vehicle's mounting surfaces
  

Whether you're looking for an alternator for a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, a starter for a 2013 Harley Davidson VRSC V-Rod motorcycle, or an alternator for your 2008 Sterling Bullet 55 6.7L Diesel Turbo truck, RockAuto has what you are looking for. Do you need a starter for your 2010 Ford F-150? Rest assured, RockAuto has these parts available for more traditional applications too.

Look for WPS/Power Select Alternators and Starters in the “Electrical” category, Distributors, Ignition Coils, and Camshaft Synchronizers in the “Ignition” category, and Wiper Motors in the “Wiper & Washer” category of the RockAuto catalog.

DNJ Engine Kit Rebates

For the month of August, DNJ Engine Components is offering an instant rebate on all Engine Rebuild and Timing Belt Component kits.

Through 8/31/2015, DNJ’s instant rebates will include:

• $5 off all Timing Belt Component Kits
• $10 off all Engine Rebuild Kits

These instant rebates will automatically be deducted from the price in your shopping cart. You can find these kits, as well as many other DNJ parts, listed under the "Engine" section of the RockAuto catalog. Capture additional savings on top of RockAuto’s reliably low prices today.

Forum of the Month

EcoModder.com is an automotive community where performance is judged by fuel economy rather than power and speed. EcoModders employ a combination of vehicle mods, driving techniques, and common sense to squeeze every penny out of the pumps. Reasons for becoming a member range from the economical to the ecological.

Wrench smart - drive smarter - save fuel - join EcoModder.com today!

Repair Mistakes & Blunders

As soon as the red brake warning light lit up on the dash, I immediately surmised the underlying cause of the issue. Due to the car’s age and the glaring warning light, I just "knew" it was the emergency brake switch causing the problem. I had seen it happen in other cars that were creeping up in age. Not to mention the fact that a Miata’s interior can be more susceptible to corrosion due to an unexpected summer shower, while the convertible top is left down.

Forging ahead with this knowledge, I carefully removed the center console and all the plastic pieces until I could test the emergency brake switch. To my amazement, I could not get the dash light to turn off, even while overriding the emergency brake switch. So, back together everything went. I decided I had no option but to start at square one.

I popped the hood and looked at the brake fluid reservoir, which was low on fluid causing the warning light to illuminate! Upon further investigation, the real culprit was a leaky brake caliper. Needless to say, the whole experience taught me a very good lesson. Spend a couple minutes checking all the basic items first prior to beginning any repair.

Nat in North Dakota

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder or unconventional fix. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes or share off-the-wall solutions that worked (at least for a while!). Please e-mail your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and if you would like a RockAuto T-Shirt (please let us know your shirt size) or Hat if we publish your story. See the T-Shirts and Hats under Tools & Universal Parts in the catalog. The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

Automotive Trivia

Generations of automotive enthusiasts have used Sunpro gauges to monitor what is going on under the hood and tastefully customize the interior. Sunpro is now part of which company? (see gauges in "Interior" under the "Tools & Universal Parts" tab or click here)

A. Bosch
B. DENSO
C. VDO


Answer below

Different Levels of Complexity

First the left and then the right turn signals recently stopped working on my wife’s ‘93 Ford. The turn signal lever did not feel quite right and would not stay locked in the left or right positions. I guessed some of the various nylon pieces inside the turn signal switch (multi-function switch) had dried out and fallen apart.

It turned out that the cast metal housing had crumbled around the turn signal lever’s mounting point (see photo below). The nylon cams, electrical contacts and other parts inside the switch still looked fine, but the turn signal lever was no longer moving any of those important pieces. I was happy to discover that RockAuto had a choice of turn signal switches from three manufacturers. Even better, I only had to remove some trim, two screws and two electrical connectors to take out the turn signal switch. The steering wheel stayed on and the whole repair took about thirty do-it-yourselfer minutes.

The cast metal housing had crumbled around the turn signal lever’s mounting point

Replacing turn signal switches on vehicles from the ‘60s and ‘70s usually requires pulling the steering wheel (steering wheel puller). The nylon mechanical pieces and electrical contacts are all there for the world to see. Often the only difficult step is running the wires on the new switch to an electrical connector buried further down the steering column.

There are always some turn signal switches that take hours and special tools to replace. In general, vehicles from the ‘80s and ‘90s had some of the easiest to replace turn signal switches. Modular switches were easier to install on the assembly line. Maybe some manufacturers tried to reduce the need for pulling off steering wheels after air bags were introduced.

By the early 2000s, the steps for removing an air bag equipped steering wheel were better defined. Most newer vehicles need their steering wheels pulled. Turn signal switch designs and replacement procedures vary more than ever. The Chilton repair manual for the ’08 Audi A4 describes grinding down the “shoulders” on a Torx screwdriver so it will fit in the holes on the turn signal switch. The multi-function switch on late model Dodge Challengers is the ultimate modular design. It includes the turn signal switch, steering angle sensor, air bag clockspring and even the exterior trim.

Different levels of complexity mean big price differences too. The turn signal switch for that new Dodge Challenger currently starts at about $300, while the turn signal switch for old Fords like my wife’s currently starts at around $20.

See the turn signal/multi-function switch for your specific vehicle under “Electrical-Switch & Relay” category in the RockAuto catalog. Instructions for replacing the switches, removing the air bag, etc., can be found in the repair manuals sold under the “Literature” category.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

Our Dodge Durango needed to have the engine rebuilt. Our family of five needed a car to drive while I took the time to rebuild the engine. Grandmother to the rescue! She graciously gave us her car.

My grandmother had not driven the car in six years because she couldn't see very well. I was a little skeptical at first of a 1983 Celebrity CL 2.8 V6 automatic that had not been well maintained in the 28 years she had owned it. But, it was always garage kept, she did change the oil every year and only had 60k on the odometer. A new battery and a few shots of ether, and Dolly (every car needs a name!) fired right up. I was hooked because the car was simple enough to work on, and it really made my grandmother smile to see my dad and I awake it from its long slumber.

A friend told me about RockAuto. I found the prices unbelievably lower compared to the chain stores. I replaced all the shocks, rubber, fluids and a few carburetor parts that I thought would be impossible to find. I added rear seat over-the-shoulder restraints to make it safer for the children. In the three months we drove the Celebrity as our primary family vehicle, we were blessed with a car that gave us no trouble whatsoever.

It is a blast to drive such a small nimble car that is very inexpensive and easily serviceable. Totally different experience from anything else made this century. And, the carburetor system, while outdated and a little quirky, still gets us 25mpg. The Durango sits outside the garage now, because this little champ deserves it.

Thank you RockAuto for saving my family hundreds of dollars, which brought joy in restoring this new classic!

Sincerely,
Theron in Kentucky

P.S. The Celebrity cleaned up well enough to be entered in car shows! And, I also used RockAuto to obtain all the parts needed for the Durango engine rebuild.

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