Alternator failure?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 210
From: SoCal
Alternator failure?
My van with the digital dash just started to flash the battery voltage display, with the blinking battery symbol, periodic beep, and showing a message that the battery voltage is low. I took it home immediately, and measured the battery voltage at about 12.5V, compared to almost 14V on my other cars, so it does seem lower. As a quick test, I pulled the connector from the alternator, and the alarm stopped. Of course, this meant it was not charging, but odd that that little change would silence the alarm.
So I suspect my alternator has failed, but I would like to hear from anyone else who might have experienced the same symptoms. Was it a failed alternator?
So I suspect my alternator has failed, but I would like to hear from anyone else who might have experienced the same symptoms. Was it a failed alternator?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 210
From: SoCal
I took the alternator to a local auto parts store to test, and it failed all 3 phases. So I bought a new one, installed, no more problems. But boy, these alternators are expensive, even for rebuilds.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
any the rebuilts are all done in Mexico or SE Asia with cheap labor.
Sock it to the American consumer.
I've started rebuilding mine. Far lower cost, can even replace the stator coil. Regulator and bearings are lost cost. go with quality name brand parts, WAI Transpo is good.
Best to replace these 3G 95amp with a 130a 3G out of a Ranger or Explorer. Lots of good junke yard dogs out there and less money than even a rebuilt. The 95a does not keep up the battery with headlights, wipers, heater going
Sock it to the American consumer.
I've started rebuilding mine. Far lower cost, can even replace the stator coil. Regulator and bearings are lost cost. go with quality name brand parts, WAI Transpo is good.
Best to replace these 3G 95amp with a 130a 3G out of a Ranger or Explorer. Lots of good junke yard dogs out there and less money than even a rebuilt. The 95a does not keep up the battery with headlights, wipers, heater going
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 11
From: Longmont, CO
Are any modifications necessary for the 130amp? The previous owner replaced the alternator in my 95 with a cheapy rebuild and it already sounds like a squeaky hamster wheel. That and I purposely avoid running too many accessories at once cause of the bearly adequate 95amp.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 35
From: Kansas
So my thoughts are this: O'Reilly's can take a cargo container of old alternators from the U.S., ship them to China, "rebuild" them, ship them back to a California port, truck them to the regional warehouse, ship them to my local auto parts store, all for the price of $43 and still make a profit?
Anyway, it works. I guess that was the important thing. It's a truck he uses for harvest, so since it only gets used for one month out of the year, it may last longer than I will.
It was so tempting to rebuild the thing myself, buy it wasn't mine and since the windings were burnt, the rebuild cost would almost be more than the rebuild cost. I simply said "Screw it" or something similar to that, and I washed my hands of the thing. That failed alternator might have been the factory part and was sorry that I was sending it to China.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 210
From: SoCal
I was in a hurry, and didn't have time to go to the salvage yard to find another one, or look into a rebuilt.
Also, I would like to rebuild my own, but I will have to get one from the scrap yard to practice on, and then find the parts that hopefully won't also be made in a 3rd world country.
But this model of alternator costs about 3X the one for my small block v8. Is it just volume?
Also, I would like to rebuild my own, but I will have to get one from the scrap yard to practice on, and then find the parts that hopefully won't also be made in a 3rd world country.
But this model of alternator costs about 3X the one for my small block v8. Is it just volume?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 35
From: Kansas
Rock Auto sometimes has rebuild kits. Odds are, the failure of your alternator is just worn out brushes. But while you are in there, you really need to replace the bearings and clean up the slip rings. As you mentioned, finding good replacement parts can be challenging. I noticed that a lot of suppliers went to the Orient for their alternator bearings about ten years ago. I would visit a local alternator rebuilder and see what he/she would have for parts. This would be the type of shop that is probably run by somebody in their 60s or 70s and has the waft of solvent that hits your nose the second you walk in. On the last visit that I had with one , I was informed that the quality of replacement parts has not decreased since manufacturing went overseas, but what did you expect him to say?
IMO, the cost of an alternator is mainly based on volume, but I've been wrong before.
IMO, the cost of an alternator is mainly based on volume, but I've been wrong before.
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