That time at a junkyard in Phoenix changed my whole approach to parts

I was down at Pull-A-Part in Phoenix last spring looking for a alternator for my 91 Camry beater. Some older guy was pulling a intake manifold off a busted Accord and he told me to always bring a multimeter and a can of brake cleaner with me. At first I thought he was just being extra, but after testing three alternators that looked fine but were actually junk, it clicked. Now I test everything at the yard before I even pay for it, saved myself from buying a bad starter just last month. My mileage varies but that one tip probably saved me 60 bucks in returns and wasted gas. Has anyone else had a stranger at a junkyard give you a trick that actually stuck?

2 comments

2 Comments

nelson.finley8d ago

Older guys in junkyards are usually keeping a low profile because they're pulling parts to flip on marketplace, not trying to be mentors. That guy probably told you about the multimeter trick because he's been burned way worse than 60 bucks before, like buying a transmission that locked up a week later. Either way, you got a solid tip out of a dude who could've just ignored you, that's rarer than finding a clean alternator in a Phoenix yard.

the_vera9d ago

Oh come on, is it really that serious? I mean, yeah it sucks to buy a bad part but we're talking about junkyard parts here, not heart surgery. You test three alternators and suddenly it's this big life changing moment? I've been going to junkyards for years and I just grab parts that look clean and hope for the best. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, it's like 20 bucks either way. And what is this guy doing carrying around a multimeter and brake cleaner in a junkyard in Phoenix in the spring? That's already 110 degrees outside and this dude is playing electrician on a busted Accord. I guess the advice is okay but you're making it sound like he handed you the secret to the universe or something.