Alternator taking a crap, time to replace!
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Yeah.......pretty much kills a good warranty for our trucks, huh?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 9
From: Minnesota
Seems like it kills a good warrenty for anything!
How can they put a lifetime warrenty on a part for your truck and then say "if it's on the truck you bought it for its only good for 2 years", sounds like a scam to me!
I looked at Autozone and Advanced Auto's warrenty too, doesn't seem real clear eather! IMO, buyer be aware.
Rant over.
How can they put a lifetime warrenty on a part for your truck and then say "if it's on the truck you bought it for its only good for 2 years", sounds like a scam to me!
I looked at Autozone and Advanced Auto's warrenty too, doesn't seem real clear eather! IMO, buyer be aware.
Rant over.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
Reading that warranty, if the GVW is over 8000lbs, there is no warranty that I can see.
Further, the "lifetime warranty" is for defects in "workmanship and materials."
The warranty specifically excludes failure due to "wear".
Not much of a lifetime warranty when one "reads the fine print".
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Your NAPA NEW Alternator and/or Starter are warranted by BBB Industries to be free of defects in workmanship and materials. This limited lifetime warranty is not transferable.
The Warranty DOES NOT cover: (1) any losses due to misuse, accident, abuse, neglect, wear, or improper application or (2) products that have been altered.
Replacement Guidelines:
1. Purchase product through a NAPA NEW Installer or NAPA Auto Parts Store.
2. Save the original receipt.
3. Should you need to replace this product, return the defective parts, along with a copy of the original receipt, to your original NAPA NEW Installer or any participating NAPA Auto Parts Store.
This warranty applies to American and import cars, vans and light trucks under 8,000 lbs. G.V.W.
Further, the "lifetime warranty" is for defects in "workmanship and materials."
The warranty specifically excludes failure due to "wear".
Not much of a lifetime warranty when one "reads the fine print".
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Your NAPA NEW Alternator and/or Starter are warranted by BBB Industries to be free of defects in workmanship and materials. This limited lifetime warranty is not transferable.
The Warranty DOES NOT cover: (1) any losses due to misuse, accident, abuse, neglect, wear, or improper application or (2) products that have been altered.
Replacement Guidelines:
1. Purchase product through a NAPA NEW Installer or NAPA Auto Parts Store.
2. Save the original receipt.
3. Should you need to replace this product, return the defective parts, along with a copy of the original receipt, to your original NAPA NEW Installer or any participating NAPA Auto Parts Store.
This warranty applies to American and import cars, vans and light trucks under 8,000 lbs. G.V.W.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,246
Likes: 761
From: Houston, Texas
I can say the same for both as well....
The only problem with Advance Auto is that their computers are not all tied together and you have to go to the specific store you bought the part from or it to be warrantied. Autozone and O'reilly don't have that problem and I haven't had either tell me they couldn't warranty something that failed.
Even so, I'll just take the cheaper method and see if a local shop can rebuild it, better, and cheaper when/if the alternator fails on the '05.
The only problem with Advance Auto is that their computers are not all tied together and you have to go to the specific store you bought the part from or it to be warrantied. Autozone and O'reilly don't have that problem and I haven't had either tell me they couldn't warranty something that failed.
Even so, I'll just take the cheaper method and see if a local shop can rebuild it, better, and cheaper when/if the alternator fails on the '05.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 0
I can say the same for both as well....
The only problem with Advance Auto is that their computers are not all tied together and you have to go to the specific store you bought the part from or it to be warrantied. Autozone and O'reilly don't have that problem and I haven't had either tell me they couldn't warranty something that failed.
Even so, I'll just take the cheaper method and see if a local shop can rebuild it, better, and cheaper when/if the alternator fails on the '05.
The only problem with Advance Auto is that their computers are not all tied together and you have to go to the specific store you bought the part from or it to be warrantied. Autozone and O'reilly don't have that problem and I haven't had either tell me they couldn't warranty something that failed.
Even so, I'll just take the cheaper method and see if a local shop can rebuild it, better, and cheaper when/if the alternator fails on the '05.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I can say the same for both as well....
The only problem with Advance Auto is that their computers are not all tied together and you have to go to the specific store you bought the part from or it to be warrantied. Autozone and O'reilly don't have that problem and I haven't had either tell me they couldn't warranty something that failed.
Even so, I'll just take the cheaper method and see if a local shop can rebuild it, better, and cheaper when/if the alternator fails on the '05.
The only problem with Advance Auto is that their computers are not all tied together and you have to go to the specific store you bought the part from or it to be warrantied. Autozone and O'reilly don't have that problem and I haven't had either tell me they couldn't warranty something that failed.
Even so, I'll just take the cheaper method and see if a local shop can rebuild it, better, and cheaper when/if the alternator fails on the '05.
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 3
Now to the point. If I needed to replace/upgrade my alternator today, I would consider a new Bosch AL7606N (with no core requirement) offered on Amazon for $151 plus state sales tax but no shipping cost. I've only owned one Bosch alternator which was on a '68 VW Fastback and it outlasted the car. Since the my truck is used mostly for towing on the road, I would stash the existing alternator 110 in the trailer for an emergency. And if I got eight years out of the Bosch, I would be satisfied.
Any thoughts on this approach?
Installed the Bosch AL7606N yesterday as preventative maintenance. Original alternator was still serviceable but after eight years and almost 100,000 miles I figure I got my moneys worth from it. Plan on rebuilding the original OEM one and keeping it as a spare. We'll see how the Bosch unit holds up...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 9
From: Minnesota
Well i ended up ordering one of these today,
6G Series Ford 7.3L, 6.0L, 6.4L, 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel Heavy Duty 140 Amp Alternator Upgrade
mainly because of the HD bridge rectifier, i talked to Randy at Quick Start about the 3g and according to him the 6g large case is better because it has a larger bearing in the back and bigger fan's and the case is more open for better cooling. I have been running one of these on my 02 for about 3 years now (from Quick Start) with good results, i plow snow with the truck in the winter and one thing i have noticed is that i can stop and pop the hood and feel the alternator and it is always running cool while plowing snow.
We will see how it does under the hood of a stock 6.0 with no extra power demands!
6G Series Ford 7.3L, 6.0L, 6.4L, 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel Heavy Duty 140 Amp Alternator Upgrade
mainly because of the HD bridge rectifier, i talked to Randy at Quick Start about the 3g and according to him the 6g large case is better because it has a larger bearing in the back and bigger fan's and the case is more open for better cooling. I have been running one of these on my 02 for about 3 years now (from Quick Start) with good results, i plow snow with the truck in the winter and one thing i have noticed is that i can stop and pop the hood and feel the alternator and it is always running cool while plowing snow.
We will see how it does under the hood of a stock 6.0 with no extra power demands!
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 294
Likes: 24
From: Double Oak, TX
I hope this approach is a good one since that is exactly what I did.
Installed the Bosch AL7606N yesterday as preventative maintenance. Original alternator was still serviceable but after eight years and almost 100,000 miles I figure I got my moneys worth from it. Plan on rebuilding the original OEM one and keeping it as a spare. We'll see how the Bosch unit holds up...
Installed the Bosch AL7606N yesterday as preventative maintenance. Original alternator was still serviceable but after eight years and almost 100,000 miles I figure I got my moneys worth from it. Plan on rebuilding the original OEM one and keeping it as a spare. We'll see how the Bosch unit holds up...
How was the install? Did everything line up? Was the electrical connection compatible with the OEM plug? Any negatives we should know about?
I'd be interested in knowing volts at idle and at 40 MPH+. Tonight I was waiting at idle for my wife to come out of the local Walmart and the volts were hovering around 12 or so. A tad low I'd say for a healthy electrical system.
Has anyone else installed the Bosch AL7606N and how did it go?I see you are running a 2005. Would the setup on an early 2003 be any different?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 3
Billtrev,
How was the install? Did everything line up? Was the electrical connection compatible with the OEM plug? Any negatives we should know about?
I'd be interested in knowing volts at idle and at 40 MPH+. Tonight I was waiting at idle for my wife to come out of the local Walmart and the volts were hovering around 12 or so. A tad low I'd say for a healthy electrical system.
Has anyone else installed the Bosch AL7606N and how did it go?I see you are running a 2005. Would the setup on an early 2003 be any different?
Thanks for your thoughts.
How was the install? Did everything line up? Was the electrical connection compatible with the OEM plug? Any negatives we should know about?
I'd be interested in knowing volts at idle and at 40 MPH+. Tonight I was waiting at idle for my wife to come out of the local Walmart and the volts were hovering around 12 or so. A tad low I'd say for a healthy electrical system.
Has anyone else installed the Bosch AL7606N and how did it go?I see you are running a 2005. Would the setup on an early 2003 be any different?
Thanks for your thoughts.
The alternator bolted right up. The electrical connections were in a slightly
different spot(the rear cover was "timed" 1/3 turn from where my OEM one was) but connected easily. The post connection is also pointed "up" on the Bosch unit a opposed to toward the back on the OEM but again no issue that I can see.
Going from memory the voltage at idle was right around 14 volts. The OEM was around 13.1.
I will have to check the voltage a 40MPH+ and get back to you..
I don't know if there is any difference with an '03. I would think they would be similar but I have no experience with them...
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,246
Likes: 761
From: Houston, Texas
I've been staring at it on my AE wondering why oh why it never goes to 14 volts like my 7.3 does.
Now I know why
