Alternator Life
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Planet Earth
Alternator Life
I have a 2001 Expedition with 165k and original Alternator. I replaced the battery last year. What is average life of Ford Alternators and would it be wise to just replace it before I get stuck somewhere. There are no problems yet, and I dont wish to create some by having a dead Alternator. Thanks for the help.
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
I would say that you are probably well past the average life of the alternator, though even if you replace it there is no guarantee you won't get stuck by a bad alternator.
I replaced 2 in less than a year on my expy.
I replaced 2 in less than a year on my expy.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Planet Earth
Thanks for the advice. Just to be safe than sorry, I am having my Generation 3 Alternator rebuilt to better than specs tomorrow. A local Electrical Engineer is a craftsman at this job and will be rebuilding it in the morning. Preventive Maintenance for me on this.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Planet Earth
Update: My Electrical Mechanic ended up installing a new Alternator today. My 2001 Expedition has the largest Alternator made by Ford and is also one of the most sturdiest in the industry! However, after 167,000 miles on the original, I saw my old one taken apart today. There are two rotors that sit on top of each other on the spindel. The rotor on the bottom was worn so bad, that it would have failed in about 2,000 miles. The cost to rebuild the Alternator exceeded the cost of a New Alternator, so now I have a new one instead of a rebuilt or remanufactured.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
In my 99 Expy my Alternator lasted 184,000 miles but it was not my alternator that fail it was the voltage regulator. My volt meter would spike at just the touch of the accelerator. My mechanic said the alternator was worn but did not have any damage and let me know it could have lasted longer. But he put in a remanufactured alternator in and everything works well. Probably not 184,000 miles though.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by NorthCarolinaExpy
Update: My Electrical Mechanic ended up installing a new Alternator today. My 2001 Expedition has the largest Alternator made by Ford and is also one of the most sturdiest in the industry! However, after 167,000 miles on the original, I saw my old one taken apart today. There are two rotors that sit on top of each other on the spindel. The rotor on the bottom was worn so bad, that it would have failed in about 2,000 miles. The cost to rebuild the Alternator exceeded the cost of a New Alternator, so now I have a new one instead of a rebuilt or remanufactured.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
The regulator in my 96 mustang went out and I just went to Autozone and bought a new regulator. 20 minutes later I was good to go. Eventually I bought an aftermarket high output alternator to better power my sound system. It lasted about a month before it blew out it's regulator. I replaced that one, but it went through 2 more before I pulled it and put the original alternator back in. My original went for about 190,000 miles before I needed a new one. I think I've been pretty lucky with my car. The original clutch lasted about 175,000 miles, and my motor is still original at 200,000 miles. This car has made me a strong believer in Ford quality. People always say they have no problems with their civic or accord, and I can say the same thing about my Mustang. I guess the difference between us is not the quality, but the fact that a Mustang has so much more style and power than their cars. Anyway, Ford and Motorcaft are the best in my honest opinion.
Matthew
Matthew
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Planet Earth
Hey, there are great cases of Alternators lasting many many miles before ceasing to put out voltage!! I really feel mine could have gone another 10k, but since I use it to travel for business I decided I better not take the chance of getting stuck somewhere in the middle of "Nowhere" with a dead Alternator, so I replaced it. Retail on the 2001 3rd Generation Ford Alternators runs nearly $300. I was able to get a deal from a local Electrical Repairman since he buys in bulk and he charged me $158. His normal labor fee to install is $60, but he only charged me $38. With Tax the bill came to just over $200. I am a firm believer in Preventive Maintenance!
I had changed the Alternator belt back in July.
I had changed the Alternator belt back in July.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
When I replaced my alternator the repairman put a refurbished one in for $149.99 and then did all the labor for another $50.00 My bill was exactly $200 which is pretty good considering if I had gone to the Ford dealership I would have easily spent over $600. I'm can completely agree on the price of $200 for something that lasted 185,000 miles.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
I charge 1 hour to install an alternator at my dealership. That is 75.00 shop rate. We get 225.00 for a Motorcraft alternator average. Thats about 300.00 total. Thats a Ford dealership. I feel for you folks that must be paying 300.00 an hour somewhere...
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Planet Earth
Homer, you are right about that price. . thats just what my Auto Electric Mechanic told me too. He gets a cheaper price on his alternators because he buys in lots of $52,000 and keeps a hefty inventory, even more than our local Ford Parts Dept. Thanks for the feedback! Merry Christmas!
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
my alternator on my 1998 expy went out at 162k miles.
i wasn't near home and didn't have my tools.
i got whacked for 239 for the alternator and 120 for labor.
i probably could have done it myself for about 150 and 45 minutes of my time.
fortunately someone helped me jump it off with a spare batter and we put that on the floorboard..and drove the car to the shop.
i am now thinking of changing out my water pump so this doesn't happen to me again..
basically, nothing has gone wrong with this truck up until now..
although i do need new ball joints and upper control arms
i wasn't near home and didn't have my tools.
i got whacked for 239 for the alternator and 120 for labor.
i probably could have done it myself for about 150 and 45 minutes of my time.
fortunately someone helped me jump it off with a spare batter and we put that on the floorboard..and drove the car to the shop.
i am now thinking of changing out my water pump so this doesn't happen to me again..
basically, nothing has gone wrong with this truck up until now..
although i do need new ball joints and upper control arms
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
it's just that is the first time any of my cars have been in a shop in probably 4 or 5 years... it's not that they don't need servicing... i am just usually fortunate enough to do the work at home...
i understand everyone has to make a living... i thought 75 dollars would have been a fair labor charge... alternator maybe 185....
i am not complaining too much... however with the mileage on this vehicle getting up there... i think i will now do the water pump shortly to avoid that potential breakdown...
it was an Indy...but i think he was well aware that i had out of state plates... and was kind of stuck...
i guess i should check out what the book rate on changing an alternator is...
i understand everyone has to make a living... i thought 75 dollars would have been a fair labor charge... alternator maybe 185....
i am not complaining too much... however with the mileage on this vehicle getting up there... i think i will now do the water pump shortly to avoid that potential breakdown...
it was an Indy...but i think he was well aware that i had out of state plates... and was kind of stuck...
i guess i should check out what the book rate on changing an alternator is...