Alternator Suggestions
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
Alternator Suggestions
I suspect that my alternator is failing. I plan on testing it before I replace it, but I wanted to get some ideas so that I am prepared to order one when I found out that I need to. I replaced the alternator some time ago (it was probably at least a decade ago), but it doesn't have many miles on it. At the time, I probably used the cheapest remanufactured alternator that I could find because I was broke. This time, I would rather use one that will last longer. What alternator do you guys suggest?
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,097
Likes: 1,504
From: western SD
I'v had good luck with this one. Alternator For Ford F-Series Pickups 1996 7.3L(445) V8 (Diesel) | eBay
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
The battery warning light blinks at idle sometimes. Also, I recently replaced a battery tray and cleaned up and repainted the other tray. I can see where both batteries lost some fluid out of the caps where it ran down onto the trays. I can see this from residue on the battery tops and on the trays. I suspect that happened because the fluid in the batteries had boiled over. Both batteries were manufactured in 2020 and have no trouble cranking the engine.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
I'll give it a closer look when I get a chance!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 910
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From: Fl.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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This thread has taken a different course than I’d hoped for. I was more hoping for advice on the best quality replacement alternators.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,492
Likes: 2,019
From: North Texas
Everyone just offering positive, quality advice.
Local shops good too. Mine has AutoZone Gold, no issue as needed ASAP to get back on road. Buy online for 20% and overnight freight. Junk connections, whether corroded or loose, will never help.
Hell, rebuild it yourself and save a grip. They are simple.
Local shops good too. Mine has AutoZone Gold, no issue as needed ASAP to get back on road. Buy online for 20% and overnight freight. Junk connections, whether corroded or loose, will never help.
Hell, rebuild it yourself and save a grip. They are simple.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,375
Likes: 604
From: evansville in
Funny story, my dad and step mom bought a 94 Suzuki sidekick new. Up until last year he still had it. Yes auto zone still covered brake pad warranty from a purchase in 1996...parts stores should never sell lifetime to my father lol. He would still own it if I hadn't put my foot down and said I'm not doing water pump and timing belt again.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
Everyone just offering positive, quality advice.
Local shops good too. Mine has AutoZone Gold, no issue as needed ASAP to get back on road. Buy online for 20% and overnight freight. Junk connections, whether corroded or loose, will never help.
Hell, rebuild it yourself and save a grip. They are simple.
Local shops good too. Mine has AutoZone Gold, no issue as needed ASAP to get back on road. Buy online for 20% and overnight freight. Junk connections, whether corroded or loose, will never help.
Hell, rebuild it yourself and save a grip. They are simple.
I am not going to replace my alternator unless I actually need to, so I do appreciate the advice on troubleshooting. I was just saying that it's not the trajectory that I was hoping for when I made the thread.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,492
Likes: 2,019
From: North Texas
Ahhhhh. Okay, makes sense. I THINK I read DB ones are now from off shore (shocker) but my Autozone one was from Mexico.
A few dudes here have Mean Green starters, they seem happy with them. Not sure with XDP stuff.
Iraggi made great stuff in late 90s with 3Gs, probably still do.
A few dudes here have Mean Green starters, they seem happy with them. Not sure with XDP stuff.
Iraggi made great stuff in late 90s with 3Gs, probably still do.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 109
Likes: 37
If you have a local starter/alternator rebuilding business, they usually can provide a quality rebuild of your alternator for less than a questionable rebuilt one from the parts chains. The one here usually has one day turn arounds.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 115
My wiring near the alternator connectors had certainly seen better days, and had some sketchy butt connectors installed by a previous owner. Because of that, I recently put in new pigtails (the big, three-wire pigtail and the small, one-wire pigtail). I also put in one of the RiffRaff heater hose doodads to keep the heater hose from riding on the alternator wiring. When I did that, I cleaned up the tops of the batteries really good so that I can see if the batteries have been boiling over. So far, I can't detect any boilage-over since I did this work, but it has only been short trips since then, so we'll see. I do not really understand how wiring issues at the alternator could cause the batteries to boil over, but I can certainly understand how it might make the battery light blink sometimes at idle. Either way, I will let you guys know, but I am cautiously optimistic that my alternator might be okay, after all. I took the belt off of that pulley and the bearing seemed okay.
