Dear RepairmanJackal,

Hope you're well. An alternator that worked for nearly 300,000 miles owes no one even a penny.

Rather than just replacing brushes and regulator, it might be better to have the unit re-built. Parts should be available from: Barsanco, Inc.; 26674 Liberal; Centerline, MI 48015; 1-800-421-3374 / 1-596-755-1618 fax. I've not done business with Barsanco, but their catalog seems pretty robust.

Alternatively, as swapping-out an alternator takes about 15-20 minutes, I have a good used unit that I bought in 2005, tested OK and stowed. Let me know if that appeals.

One final point, if the alternator warning light (at the bottom of the instrument cluster) is not "on" - along with all the other lights that are "on" - replace the bulb. If the warning light bulb fails, the alternator does not get the "micro-jolt" needed to start the charging process.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook