Alternator/generator?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 12
From: arizona
Alternator/generator?
My manual refers to my alternator as a generator.....in which I thought they stopped making generators a long time ago. I am thinking about replacing mine since I have over 165k miles on the truck.
Does anyone know what the life expectancy is on one of these alternators?
Am I pushing the envelope by keeping this alternator for this lenght of time? Called about replacing the brushes only but once again can't do that, I have to buy the entire unit for $200.
Does anyone know what the life expectancy is on one of these alternators?
Am I pushing the envelope by keeping this alternator for this lenght of time? Called about replacing the brushes only but once again can't do that, I have to buy the entire unit for $200.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
Alternator/generator?
I'm of belief that, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it."
But on the other hand I can see your concern.
My experince with aftermarket altenators has been disapointing to say the least.
But on the other hand I can see your concern.
My experince with aftermarket altenators has been disapointing to say the least.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg, IL
Alternator/generator?
i'd say leave it alone until it breaks. chances are it'll last forever. almost every other part on your vehicle has just as many miles on them as your alternator does - are you going to replace everything? as someone who's on alternator #5 in my wife's t-bird, i'd say that just because you replaced it doesn't mean the replacement is going to last.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Alternator/generator?
If there is a good automotive electrician around I would take it to them before I would buy a aftermarket unit. If they're good, they will warrenty their work. I would recommend doing this every 100K. This works well if you have one available. If not, I'd leave the stock unit alone until it fails.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Alternator/generator?
I agree, why spend 2 bills if it ain't broke. And it is an alternator, not a generator, A generator creates dc voltage. An alternator creates a/c voltage and converts it to dc.
Jimmy
Jimmy
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 12
From: arizona
Alternator/generator?
The deal is that I'm going on a long trip and I don'' want to be left stranded because of a bad alternator.
Better pay now than while I'm on the road.
I figure the brushes are the weakest link right now based on the mileage. If I only new how much is left. Oh yea, my $300 97 FORD manual calls it a GENERATOR......it does not mention alternator at all. Crazy huh?
Better pay now than while I'm on the road.
I figure the brushes are the weakest link right now based on the mileage. If I only new how much is left. Oh yea, my $300 97 FORD manual calls it a GENERATOR......it does not mention alternator at all. Crazy huh?
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
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From: Chicago Area
Alternator/generator?
Technically a generator is a generator whether it makes AC or DC. Some began calling the automotive version alternators for marketing reasons when (I think) they went to diodes. Ford still seems to call them generators.
In my experience, they don't usually fail completely, but will usually get noisy or just stop charging your battery. So if you pay attention, you will have quite a bit of time to get it replaced.
There really is no telling when it will go, and as others have said, with the universal pressure to lower costs, the replacement may not last any longer. The manufacturers counter this with lifetime guarantees, but you're responsible for the trouble and labor! They have made you their QC inspector.
In my experience, they don't usually fail completely, but will usually get noisy or just stop charging your battery. So if you pay attention, you will have quite a bit of time to get it replaced.
There really is no telling when it will go, and as others have said, with the universal pressure to lower costs, the replacement may not last any longer. The manufacturers counter this with lifetime guarantees, but you're responsible for the trouble and labor! They have made you their QC inspector.
Last edited by MrBSS; Sep 18, 2003 at 11:11 AM.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 285
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From: Maryland
Alternator/generator?
When my alternator started to go up (on my Toyota) the charging guage started to get closer to the center line and not 3/4 of the way toward the high side. After the charging needle fell lower than the center line, the red warning light came on. I had the alternator tested and if I remember correctly, the alternator was putting out 12 volts and it needed to put out 14 volts.
I have found (again with Toyota parts) that the replacement parts never lasted as long as the original. The truck has 250k so obviously many parts have been replaced more than once.
Any thoughts on Ford replacement parts or aftermarket (another vendor) parts as to lifespan?
I was very pleased with my Toyota but not so pleased with the replacement parts.
Chip
I have found (again with Toyota parts) that the replacement parts never lasted as long as the original. The truck has 250k so obviously many parts have been replaced more than once.
Any thoughts on Ford replacement parts or aftermarket (another vendor) parts as to lifespan?
I was very pleased with my Toyota but not so pleased with the replacement parts.
Chip
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
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From: Chicago Area
Alternator/generator?
OEM replacements have been good in my experience (mostly American cars), but you DO pay for it. NAPA, since they tend to supply the pros who don't want to re-do their work, seems the best bet. I stay away from the consumer type auto parts unless it's a real non-critical part and easy to replace AND it's on sale. Surprisingly, the consumer type places don't seem cheaper than my NAPA. Probably their costs are higher in the strip mall than NAPA's old barn!
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: San Mateo, CA
Alternator/generator?
If it aint broke....
As far as going on a long trip, I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you're out in the boondocks, in the middle of the night(headlights on), during a rain/snowstorm(wipers & heater going) you should easily be able to drive it 50 to 100 miles on the battery alone. Enough miles to get you to a phone booth to call a few places to price replacements.
Also, for piece of mind, you could check the alt. w/ a volt meter and confirm the unit is working w/in specs.
Tim
As far as going on a long trip, I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you're out in the boondocks, in the middle of the night(headlights on), during a rain/snowstorm(wipers & heater going) you should easily be able to drive it 50 to 100 miles on the battery alone. Enough miles to get you to a phone booth to call a few places to price replacements.
Also, for piece of mind, you could check the alt. w/ a volt meter and confirm the unit is working w/in specs.
Tim
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 400
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Alternator/generator?
I have a 97, 4.6l and I changed mine @ 167,000 miles because it had bad bearing noise. i drove 23,000 miles with this noise and if didn't annoy me so bad I would be still be driving it that way.