So 1 1/2 years and 40k miles ago. (Alternator rant)

M

maxmk8

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I purchased a NEW (not rebuilt) alternator at a local parts store for the crown vic, which still had a functioning alternator after 10 years and 150k miles, but it was throwing a charge light. (At the same time i purchased a new battery as preventative maintenance since it was as old as the car).

Today... the charge light is back. The stupid thing has a lifetime warranty of course, but I don't want to deal with this once a year.

I HATE Auto parts store parts, they NEVER ever last as long as OEM parts. Whether it is brakes, shocks, alternators, oxygen sensors etc. These parts are almost always of inferior quality.

Back in the day OEM rebuilds were the only way to go for mark VIIIs. I hope those are still available.
 
I bit the bullet and had a brand new Ford alternator put on The Mark when I had the engine built. I had the original one still on the car - over 100k miles, and it worked great.

I will never buy a rebuilt again. Too many times they have left me stranded.
 
The "new" ford alternator when I called 5 Star was not rated the same amps as the OEM, so it was not an original replacement. I did get a new NAPA alternator, it is life time too. But who wants to keep replacing it. After I replaced the first NAPA one on the 2nd one I get whining now when playing the stereo.
 
budpytko said:
Man...it's only a 10 minute change!!! I can do THAT for eternity!
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That does not included the time it takes to take it out, bring it to the store, have them test it, then give you a new one, drive back from the store, etc...
 
budpytko said:
Man...it's only a 10 minute change!!! I can do THAT for eternity!
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I don't want to do that 300-400 miles from my house when I don't have tools. And what if they don't have the part in stock?! It makes the car seem like a unreliable crap box.

Honestly it is SO not worth the hassle. The charge light only goes on when it is really cold out at the first start in the morning... the car didn't throw it once afterwards even though i drove it for 120 miles today or so.

That said I am sure that stupid thing is on it's way out.
 
You may want to look at a new regulator harness. They're prone to intermittent failures that will throw you a curve ball.
 
The trunk is plenty big enough to stow a spare alt. and the few tools it takes to replace it.......you KNOW it's going, the milage is right.....
 
driller said:
You may want to look at a new regulator harness. They're prone to intermittent failures that will throw you a curve ball.
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I will take a look at it today. I checked the wires when i was cleaning the corroded battery terminals that i thought were throwing the warning light at first... but it wasn't it.
 
maxmk8 said:
I will take a look at it today. I checked the wires when i was cleaning the corroded battery terminals that i thought were throwing the warning light at first... but it wasn't it.
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You need to wiggle test it with the charging light on and the engine running with a VOM hooked up to read the battery voltage. If the meter moves, the harness is at fault. A cheap analog meter is best for this type of diagnosis. I'd say 1 out of 5 of the Ford fleet we have at work that has charging issues is fixed with a new regulator harness spliced in place of the old one.
 
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driller said:
You need to wiggle test it with the charging light on and the engine running with a VOM hooked up to read the battery voltage. If the meter moves, the harness is at fault. A cheap analog meter is best for this type of diagnosis. I'd say 1 out of 5 of the Ford fleet we have at work that has charging issues is fixed with a new regulator harness spliced in place of the old one.
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My Voltmeter took a dump :(. It was showing a charge of 15.9 with the car on and 15.6 with the car. So I will have to pick up a new one before double checking.
 
I don't think overcharging will cause the charge indicator lamp to come on. 16+ volts will cause the "Check Charging System" to come on the message center if I remember correctly.
 
Lol Max, NO. I did get the CCS message and then looked at my gauge on the pillar pod and saw it peg'd at 16!! No battery light though.
 
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