I have 51k on my 2014 Platinum F-350 and the little red battery light come on. I take it in and they tell me that it is going to be a little over $1,300.00 to replace my alternator. I have had the truck since May 30, 2014 and the alternator has gone bad. I am regretting trading in my 1999 F-350 with over 365 k on it. Never had an electrical problem besides replacing the batteries every 4 years or so. Is this a common problem on these new trucks?

 

Alternator failures are rare but do happen. $1,300 to replace the alternator is just crazy. I think I would take my truck to another dealer before paying that much money.


I'm sure your 99 Super Duty had gremlins you didn't know about.

 

Thank you for the reply Troy. No this is a first time failure and yes it is a crazy amount of money. Especially for a part that the average consumer cannot even get to.

 

order one online and put it on yourself.

 

Quick look I found Alts for your vehicle from $250 - $400 bucks, guess there is big labor $$ on the install???

 

Get the a motor craft new part and do it yourself. It a easy job.

But you have no extended warranty??? I would recommend getting one from ford or getting getting Mechanical break down insurance from GEICO.

Diesel are expensive to repair. When the warranty is up, I go get me a new truck. Its JUST to expensive to repair. You can spend spend more on repairs then the payments for a year. I did that with my 6.0.

 

After my divorce in a marriage of 5 years I decided I would focus on my career. So for the next 25 years I did. In the world I lived in, showing up late for work or missing day due to mechanical failure was not met with: Gosh so sorry to hear, take all the time you need to get it fixed...rather just the opposite. So I followed your thinking. Car was sold or traded in BEFORE the warranty expired. Cost me a bundle I know, but I worked in a low tolerance job.

NOT sure this is for everyone, especially if you have back up with a wife who has a car and can provide support. You take a BIG hit at trade in time and your cost of ownership is high. It was worth it to me.

 

Another option to at least consider is to rebuild and reinstall the OEM unit yourself. May be a PITA but won't cost $1300 either.

http://www.alternatorstarterrebuildkits.com

 

Hi laurin,

I want to jump in here and see how I can best assist. Send over your details in a PM, including your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and servicing dealership. I'll get to work.

Crystal

 

Just a heads up ... when my battery light came on it was not the alternator. The dealer thought it was, replaced the alternator and it did not fix it. They also replaced the PCM which did not fix it. Turned out to be a broken wire, the yellow "GENCOM" wire between the alternator and the PCM was broken.

Good luck

 

You have dual or single alternators? From what you write it appears to be single. A single lists for $360ish twice that for duals. Even if both failed that still is one heck of a labor charge.

 

Do they have the correct kit?

 

It would appear not.

 

Yeah, I noticed that (after) I posted the link, sorry about that.

Maybe give him a call and see what the deal is. I suppose on a big 350 it's a pretty stout unit, though parts should be available.

On the other hand, (if) it's under warranty... That's the way to go.

 

Pull the Alt and have it tested.......Just a thought.

......Remember, the front grill removes easy. This may help......