I have a 05 EB Excursion 6.0L and I am on my third alternator. Just bought the third and I have 113K miles on the Excursion. No extra electronic just a set of backup lights. Any ideas on what is making the alternators go out. The second on lasted about 4 years and the first one 5 years. I have added extra wire from the alternator to the batteries.
Thanks

 

These days it's usually it s a quality issue. Cheap Chinese aftermarket regulators are a big issue. But check all connection points pos and neg for corrosion. On the block, everything.

 

X2 ... Crap parts .... Hard to get a good anything nowadays . But as said , check all connections and cables . Also be sure batteries are proper and good . A bad battery can kill an alternator .

 

Damn, I was measuring my alternator's lives in terms of weeks, not years. I went through 3 in just over a month before finding the issue. I would care one bit if I had to replace it every 4 years at this point.

 

Am I the only one here that remembers when you had one rebuilt instead of replaced?!? I'm 32 by the way so yeah...

 

I use to rebuild GM alternators for less than $20 . Can't get the parts anymore around here ... The closest rebuilder is an hour and a half away . The parts house is only 30 min. away . Do the math , drive time , down time , turn around ... Cheaper to get a reman in my area .

 

I took no chances in my quest to bullet proof my X I went with a quality Alt not cheap...I also have one of these on my Sand Rail and my Navigator since 2006 with 285500 miles on it and since I DONT turn off my car since the morning when I depart and sometime in desert heat I quality is a must.

Here is the link of the shop I bought from. Good Luck
P/S On the X I went higher output as I do have light bars and inverter installed on the X


https://www.dcpowerinc.com/

 

No, I use to rebuild them and even sell kits and parts until about 10 years ago. It's a dying art. And there is still the difference between rebuilt and remanufactured. And some remanufacturers have different grades of quality within their own lines. The parts are still out there. Just harder to find. Some of the best quality rebuild stuff I used to get from J&N Electric. AC-Delco/Remy, Denso and of course Motorcraft still make a decent unit, BBB and Bosch have started to suffer. Stay away from Worldwide, PPI, TYC, Pure Energy, UniPoint and any of the other big box store repackagers. But again, Any unit will fail of anything else is wrong. Batteries need to be good and fully charged before powering up the new unit and check all cables and connections for corrosion. Corrosion likes to hide inside the insulation. Check the ends near the connections for any "softness". It should be pretty solid all the way through.

 

Are you using Ford parts or parts store parts?

 

Definitely watch the sources for your replacement alternator. A local rebuilder even 30 minutes away who does quality work is better than an alternator that will quit because of little quality control at a remanufacturing outfit in china or elsewhere. Also, a local rebuilder can show you why the unit failed in the first place. Normally you shouldn't have to replace any decent alternator for 7-8 years or more unless you kill it by some other means. Rebuilding your original ensures you know what went into it. And they can often offer to upgrade a unit for you if you need more amperage.

 

DBElectrical.com

That's where I buy all my electrical parts from. Stock replacement alternator is $82. To find a starter you have punch in a 7.3/6.0 F350 but they have them too. They also offer High Output Alts and Gear Reduction Starters. I have their 200 amp HO, made a huge difference for running my winch. Great customer service and no core charges.