My second napa altenator just crapped the bed. I can't believe the problems these cars have with alternators. I wasn't even driving the car. It's been sitting for over two months and I start it up once a week. Can someone please explain why these cars don't like aftermarket alternators. I know it's a common problem but I'd like to know a "technial" answer if anyone has one. It's no big deal I'll just go to napa and exchange it for another one. It takes about 10 mins to replace but it's still crazy. This will be my third one in a year. Any answers??
ALTERNATOR AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter DENNISMK8
- Start date
This is one you are probably going to have to eat.Maybe you can get a refund from NAPA,but I went through 3 alt's in 2 days.It would have been 3 in 30 mins but I had to go to work and couldn't return them fast enough.The rebilt Ford part costs about $400 bucks(I think ,it's been awhile) but it hasn't failed.One more thing,underdrive pulleys along with a high current draw can cook these things in seconds.So be sure that your battery is charged fully before you start the engine.They were never meant to be battery chargers,just maintainers.
driller
El Presidente
It's all in availability, the quality of the rebuild and installation. It took 2 alternators from Advanced Auto in a few weeks to find a keeper for my '93(and it could go any day!). If I had it to do over now, I would get one for a '96-'00 Cobra from Ford - online for less than $200 - about the same cost as local parts house rebuilds. Of course that means being without the Mark VIII for a period of time - something not all of us can do.
You can try this:
http://www.pa-performance.com/displ...@4.6 alternator,rqOrder@1,backNum@5,nextNum@7
You can try this:
http://www.pa-performance.com/displ...@4.6 alternator,rqOrder@1,backNum@5,nextNum@7
I'll join the choir on this one -- get the Ford OEM or Cobra unit. I went through two aftermarket alternators in just a few weeks each. The original went nine years and over 100K miles. The two aftermarkets only went three months (the first one) and a few weeks (the second one).
I put in a rebuilt Ford unit. Yes, I had to eat the cost but it is worth it to have an alternator that I don't have to worry about for another nine years. Check with Five Star or Ford Parts Net for a good deal.
--K9Leader
1994 Garnet Red Glaze/Black, 104K miles and in semi-retirement (drove it to work this morning to give it some exercise before it turns in for a long winter's nap over Christmas)
I put in a rebuilt Ford unit. Yes, I had to eat the cost but it is worth it to have an alternator that I don't have to worry about for another nine years. Check with Five Star or Ford Parts Net for a good deal.
--K9Leader
1994 Garnet Red Glaze/Black, 104K miles and in semi-retirement (drove it to work this morning to give it some exercise before it turns in for a long winter's nap over Christmas)
Every area has shops that rebuild starters and alternators. They are often able to increase the amperage over the standard units also. Most independant rebuilders have several quality levels of of parts to rebuild with and are willing to build to match your needs. A quality rebuilt unit will often cost more than an off the shelf unit from a discount parts store but, it's always worth the difference. Plus you will have a human to talk with if you have problems, not just a go between at the parts store.
MotoMel
MotoMel
GRAND_LS 400
New member
my bro had the same problem with his Grand Marquis.. just go for a Ford Reman.
If you have an ABC supplier in your area,I was able to get a a seemingly new alternator to replace the 2 I'd destroyed within 72 hours.Pep Boys parts were destroyed almost instantaneously.After not accepting another alternator from PBY,one Sunday while driving my old clunker,on my way to assist another motorist,I noticed an ABC open and out of curiosty,inquired asto whether or not they had one available.They brought out a replacement that appeared to be newly machined and I was desperate to get back in my Linc,so I chanced it and I haven't looked back since.I believe the company logo was OEM Plus.I have had not another problem in this year $170.00,Lifetime warranty.And to be sure I also purchased a new battery.Nascar brand.
Pearlescent White 94 Mark VIII
97'000+
Pearlescent White 94 Mark VIII
97'000+
Opal97MarkVIII
New member
Is the Cobra alternator a direct replacement, or are any modifications required?
driller
El Presidente
You MAY need to lengthen the harness going to the alternator. Some do, some do not. You can open the harness back to the branch out and gain some length by slightly rerouting the leads or you can extend the harness with appropriate harness plug/wire from dealer.
I believe there also may be a rare issue of filing the backside where there is sometimes an interference of mounting.
But for the most part it is a direct replacement.