What’s the Difference Between Remanufactured, Rebuilt, and Repaired Starters?

There is a certain degree of confusion, among both professionals and laymen, in regards to the differences between remanufactured, rebuilt, and repaired components like starters . Everyone can agree on the differences between a brand new starter and a used one, but where are the lines drawn between remanufactured, rebuilt, and repaired parts?

Although various authorities hold slightly different opinions on the matter, the main differences come down to the level of sophistication involved in the rebuilding or remanufacturing process and the condition of the finished product. Remanufactured starters are essentially indistinguishable from brand new ones while rebuilt and repaired units typically have a higher level of reused components.

The Real Costs of Repairing a Starter

When compared to remanufacturing and rebuilding, repairing a starter is the least sophisticated and cheapest method of returning a malfunctioning component to service. When a starter is repaired, the defective components are identified and either fixed or replaced, but everything else is left in place. For instance, repairing a starter that has a bad solenoid will typically just involve replacing the solenoid. All of the other mechanical and electrical components will remain untouched.

Repairing a starter by simply replacing the broken part or parts results in a unit that works, but that’s not where the story ends. Although the previously broken components may be brand new, everything else in the starter is still old. Since all of the old components have just as much wear as the part that went bad, they may fail at any time, which basically means you are left with a starter that you still cannot rely upon as it could fail to operate at any time.

Remanufacturing Versus Rebuilding

Unlike simply repairing a starter, remanufacturing and rebuilding are relatively sophisticated operations. Rather than just fixing one thing, remanufacturing and rebuilding both involve replacing a number of internal components. Although some authorities, including the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association, argue that the terms “rebuilt” and “remanufactured” refer to the exact same concept, remanufacturing typically refers to a process that results in a final product that is virtually indistinguishable from a brand new starter.

When a starter is remanufactured, it is typically stripped down to the housing, and every internal wearing component is replaced. If the housing itself is cracked or outside of original equipment tolerances, it will also be discarded. The main goal of remanufacturing is to produce a starter that meets all of the specifications of a brand new unit, which means they can usually be expected to last just as long as the original equipment.
Rebuilding is an older term than remanufacturing. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, rebuilding can be a less sophisticated process depending upon the quality and standards of the technician doing the rebuilding. Rebuilders usually replace more than just the component that actually went bad, but the final product may or may not meet the standards of an original equipment part.

Factory Remanufactured & Factory Authorized Remanufacturer

There is also Factory Remanufactured as well as Factory Authorized Remanufacturer, just to add to the complexity of choices. Companies like Delco-Remy offer Factory Remanufactured Starters that are built to the exacting standards of the original starter. They may even include some design improvements that have been incorporated into the process after the starter was originally manufactured. Other companies, like C.E. Niehoff will send their technicians out into the field to train personnel at their key service distributors on how to remanufacture their product.

There are very specific guidelines as to procedures and the components that must be replaced in order to qualify for the Factory Authorized Remanufactured distinction. Another advantage is that the Original equipment manufacturer will frequently send out bulletins that include updated procedures/ changes so that the Factory Authorized Remanufacturer is always current with the latest information to ensure any products that they produce are to the highest standard.