I believe my alternator is going out. (Battery light comes on intermittently.) So as a pre-emptive strike, I am going to replace it. I was looking at these two alternators at Autozone AutoZone | Auto Parts & Accessories | Repair Guides & More and am confused as to the difference. 1 has an internal fan and 130 alternator output amperage. The other has an external fan and 215 alternator output amperage. Is bigger better in this case? Any risk of damage from using the larger one? I don't mind spending the extra $50 to replace with the larger unit, but I want to make sure it isn't going to fry anything. BTW, it's a 1996 if that makes a difference.

 

Also, is there anything else I should replace at the same time to save myself further hassle down the road? IE cables, etc? The truck has well over 250k miles (actual is unknown as the spedometer/odometer doesn't work, 255k was last known mileage a year ago).

 

if the light comes on intermittently, make sure the plug in the alternator is all the way in and the connections are not bad. and alternator will either work, or not work. when it is a hit and miss, it is usually because of a bad plug.

 

That 215 amp is for vehicles with the ambulance package and looks to be the older 2G version. Stick with the 130 amp 3G that came from the factory.

 

Thanks for the responses. I'm pretty sure the alternator is the original (3rd owner) and it conforms to other alternator problem symptoms I have read on here (low voltage, intermittent battery light, etc). I'll check the plug in tomorrow. I replaced all the plugs about 6 months ago, so I'm pretty sure it isn't the spark or glow plugs. I've been slowly working on this truck as it is my "get everything done" truck. I don't drive it daily, but when I have to do anything on the farm, "The General" gets it done.