Alternator question?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 3
From: Cheyoming
Alternator question?
2001 FSD 7.3L with a couple minor mods. (air and hose off rocker cover).
I just put in my 4th alternator in just over 2 years!
Fortunately . . . I got a liftime warrantee with the first one and none of them have cost anything. ($250.00!!)
So why have I gone through so many alternators?
Remanufacturered maybe not done right? Also, my batteries are Interstate and are the same age. Not even 2 years old.
I get them from Advanced Auto. Not NAPA, but have been very pleased with the parts and service there.
I just put in my 4th alternator in just over 2 years!
Fortunately . . . I got a liftime warrantee with the first one and none of them have cost anything. ($250.00!!)
So why have I gone through so many alternators?
Remanufacturered maybe not done right? Also, my batteries are Interstate and are the same age. Not even 2 years old.
I get them from Advanced Auto. Not NAPA, but have been very pleased with the parts and service there.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
First, welcome to FTE! Check where the rebuilds are being done...China. This is why I could care less about a "lifetime warranty", my time is money and I prefer not to be stranded with a dead [place name of rebuilt part here]. I, and many others, have alternators rebuilt at a local, high-quality auto/truck electric shop. Their reputation is on the line with every rebuild...not the cheapest, but the best! Ask around, you will start getting the same shop or shops mentioned as doing first-rate work, with no corners cut.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 94
From: Delta, CO
I completely agree with Neal on this deal
what good is a lifetime warranty when you have to take the time to R&R said part every time you turn around.
I got my alt. completely gone through for less than $100 locally
what good is a lifetime warranty when you have to take the time to R&R said part every time you turn around.
I got my alt. completely gone through for less than $100 locally
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 687
Likes: 15
From: Lake Charles, LA
To expand upon this, i had my alternator go out again earlier this year for 2nd time in a year after my oem unit went out. I initially gave my OEM unit as a core return when i purcahsed a "lifetime" alternator from oreillys. I have since purchased a locally rebuilt oem unit. Its been riding around in back seat and just got the chance to change earlier today. I put the two side by side to see what differences if any. I did not see any markings on the one i bought as oem to indicate as such. The "lifetimer" of course still has the stickers as rebuilt in mexico. Castings look the same. Windings look slightly different, dont know if better, just different. The only difference i could tell is the plastic female part of the electrical plug-in is different colors. The "lifetime" one is a off-white color, while the "oem" unit is black. Does this indicate anything? Or is this just coincidence? Is there any way to tell difference?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 94
From: Delta, CO
To expand upon this, i had my alternator go out again earlier this year for 2nd time in a year after my oem unit went out. I initially gave my OEM unit as a core return when i purcahsed a "lifetime" alternator from oreillys. I have since purchased a locally rebuilt oem unit. Its been riding around in back seat and just got the chance to change earlier today. I put the two side by side to see what differences if any. I did not see any markings on the one i bought as oem to indicate as such. The "lifetimer" of course still has the stickers as rebuilt in mexico. Castings look the same. Windings look slightly different, dont know if better, just different. The only difference i could tell is the plastic female part of the electrical plug-in is different colors. The "lifetime" one is a off-white color, while the "oem" unit is black. Does this indicate anything? Or is this just coincidence? Is there any way to tell difference?
anything I'd say would be BS
but then again if it works like it's supposed to I wouldn't care if it was purple polka-dot
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 3
From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
Most of the time all that goes on an alt is the brushes. Sometimes its the diodes or a reg but not too often. A good shop will turn the comm, replace the brushes,bearings & springs, clean up the windings & case, test it &case you're good to go. What I did when I lost an alt was buy the cheapest reman'd unit I could find then take the oem one to get it rebuilt. Then I just kept the reman unit as a spare. Of course we have 8 trucks so having a cheap spare isn't a bad thing.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 687
Likes: 15
From: Lake Charles, LA
And that is what im attempting to do, have a rebuilt OEM on truck with a cheap lifetime spare ready to go. Only problem is I didnt think of it until I already turned my OEM unit for core charge when it went out the first time. The shop I bought from says that its an OEM alt. But is there a way to tell for sure? Does it matter? I did not make this mistake with my starter.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 3
From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
I don't know of a foolproof way to tell if its OEM or not. Even a rebuilt one will retain the original castings w/ the ford logo on them. Maybe look at the diode/electronics pack to see if it has a ford logo? Its been a while since I've had one out but I seem to remember seeing the ford logo on the back of the alt near the connector. Another possibility is to look and see if it has a ford p/n. That's all I can think of.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 3
From: Cheyoming
1st off, I'm not a newby here . . . every time my computer crashes I have to re-up and go with all new user/password info.
And I'm more concerned about what the truck might be doing to the alternator than who rebuilt the damn thing.
I'm in Cheyenne, WY . . . nobody here can even rebuild an alternator. You guys in populated areas need to realize how good you've got it sometimes. I (we) here have to get things done and questions answered via the net more times than not.
I'm seriously thinking about buying the next one from our local NAPA store. Supposed to be a better quality.
But again . . . maybe there's an issue with my truck's electrical. I do haul a 5er at times that has a 50 amp system. I know I have to shut the key off on the truck before connecting the 7 pin cord from the 5er or it will blow a fuse.
And I'm more concerned about what the truck might be doing to the alternator than who rebuilt the damn thing.
I'm in Cheyenne, WY . . . nobody here can even rebuild an alternator. You guys in populated areas need to realize how good you've got it sometimes. I (we) here have to get things done and questions answered via the net more times than not.
I'm seriously thinking about buying the next one from our local NAPA store. Supposed to be a better quality.
But again . . . maybe there's an issue with my truck's electrical. I do haul a 5er at times that has a 50 amp system. I know I have to shut the key off on the truck before connecting the 7 pin cord from the 5er or it will blow a fuse.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 3
From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
I live in rural va - know what ya mean. But I'd still be willing to bet there's someone in Cheyenne that rebuilds alts. Ask around @ the auto parts stores. Might need to do some digging but I'd bet you'll find someone. It won't be someone that sticks out - it'll be an electric motor shop or something similar. If I can find someone in Wytheville Va that can rebuild one (waaay smaller than Cheyenne) will a little persistence you can too.
Wonder if your putt'n too much load on your alt when the 5'rs hooked up. The stock alt is only rated at something like 110 amps - you should upgrade to the dual alt setup.
Wonder if your putt'n too much load on your alt when the 5'rs hooked up. The stock alt is only rated at something like 110 amps - you should upgrade to the dual alt setup.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
What are some of your previous usernames that we'd recognize?
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