Hyundai Repair: REPAIR, alternator diagnosis, kia rio

Question
Hi..not sure who to ask on this one...but..my KIA RIO 2007 warranty for an alternative was up to 60,000 miles and the my car has 61,000....when the alternator just went out.
..and the DEALER will NOT fix it, since it is 1000 miles over the limit.
Is there any way around this?
Also...AUTO ZONE said it was not the battery since that was bought new last year and they tested it out..
but
it was the alternatator that makes the car not always start when it should.
.....How right is this assessment.....Can it be something OTHER than the alternator that would make the care not start all the time.
Thakns..ANGIE

Answer
There are many things that could make the car not start.  Presuming the engine turns slowly or not at all, the top potential problems are:
1.  Battery will not hold charge.
2.  Poor contact at starter terminal.
3.  Poor contact at battery terminals.
4.  Alternator not sufficiently charging battery.
5.  Defective add-on alarm, keyless entry, or remote start system.
6.  Defective starter.
7.  Excessive parasitic draw (too much electricity being used while car off) for any reason.

If you've taken the car to a reputable and competent repair shop and they've diagnosed the alternator as being faulty, then I'm in no position to doubt that diagnosis as the shop is in a position to inspect and test your car, whereas I'm not.

If the dealer has made the faulty alternator diagnosis, you may be able to get Kia to give you assistance by calling their customer assistance number-- this number will be in your owner's materials.  They may do nothing, completely pay for the repair, or split the bill with you in some way.

If you have not yet taken the car to the dealer, it's very likely you'll be able to get Kia to offer any sort of assistance, as they have no way of even verifying that the alternator is defective.  You'd need to take the car to the dealer for their diagnosis.  As discussed above, there's no way of knowing whether Kia will choose to offer assistance until the dealer makes a diagnosis and informs Kia what the problem is.  If they don't you'll be responsible for all charges incurred at the dealer.