alternator trouble....HELP
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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alternator trouble....HELP
have had my truck for 3 years, and it now has its 4th alternator. i have no accessory electronics at all, and only tow a 4 place sled trailer in the winter. no heavy extended hauling.
truck has 103,000 miles, i'm installling 2 new batteries today. the last 2 alternators are Napa gold lifetime warranty models, 110amp.
are there any known electrical problems that i can check for excess draw that would fry an alternator in about 1 year?
i'm afraid to take it to the dealer and pay $65.00 an hour to try and chase a short or something they will never find.
thanks for the help!!
truck has 103,000 miles, i'm installling 2 new batteries today. the last 2 alternators are Napa gold lifetime warranty models, 110amp.
are there any known electrical problems that i can check for excess draw that would fry an alternator in about 1 year?
i'm afraid to take it to the dealer and pay $65.00 an hour to try and chase a short or something they will never find.
thanks for the help!!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
I have read other posts regarding frequent "parts store" alternator failures.
So when mine went recently, I upgraded to a 6G type, 200 Amp Heavy Duty Voltage Regulator & Rectifier, and I bought a cheap plug in DC Voltmeter to constantly monitor the output.
I piggybacked it over the existing harness connection to the alt, and ran it directly to the Batteries using 4 guage cable. Even at idle it charges now, and with any acceleration it shows 14.5 volts charge.
At $340 it wasn't cheap, but I'm hoping it makes up the difference in longevity and feel good ins.
BTW, the heavy duty rectifier uses 70 - 80 amp diodes, as opposed to 40 -50 amp diodes, and the diode is noted to be one of the common failures on the "parts store" alts.
http://www.alternatorparts.com/Ford_7.3_Power_Stroke_Diesel.htm
So when mine went recently, I upgraded to a 6G type, 200 Amp Heavy Duty Voltage Regulator & Rectifier, and I bought a cheap plug in DC Voltmeter to constantly monitor the output.
I piggybacked it over the existing harness connection to the alt, and ran it directly to the Batteries using 4 guage cable. Even at idle it charges now, and with any acceleration it shows 14.5 volts charge.
At $340 it wasn't cheap, but I'm hoping it makes up the difference in longevity and feel good ins.
BTW, the heavy duty rectifier uses 70 - 80 amp diodes, as opposed to 40 -50 amp diodes, and the diode is noted to be one of the common failures on the "parts store" alts.
http://www.alternatorparts.com/Ford_7.3_Power_Stroke_Diesel.htm
Last edited by arjr111; Sep 19, 2007 at 07:58 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,777
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From: Buckingham, IA
A neighbor went through 3 NAPA alternators in 6 months on his Chevy gasser.I have a hard time buying rebuilts unless I know how they were rebuilt. We had a shop near us that would rebuild an alternator with heavy duty parts for less than a cheap parts store rebuild. And they would last far longer. I would rather buy one from a salvage yard and have it rebuilt there than get a parts store rebuilt. Unfortunately that shop closed but the owner helped another repair shop get started in the alternator-starter rebuild business so we still have that available. If you could find a shop that does the rebuilds for semis and big trucks, you could probably get a quality job done. May cost a little more but it would be worth it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
I echo what Action says.
Bosch also rebuilds them and they are top shelf jobs, and the price reflects it.
Bosch also rebuilds them and they are top shelf jobs, and the price reflects it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,584
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From: Millbrook Alabama
Country and Joe, I too am in the same boat as you guys except I went through 4 remans in 3 years from Autozoo, I finally rasied enough cane that the manager just upgraded me to a NEW alt. with the same lifetime warranty. I want a 6G but I can't justify the spending when I know mine are free. Three 13mm bolts and 1 10mm nut and I am back in biz. I don't even take the truck home to change them anymore, I do it in their parking lot in 10min and give them their bad one back (yeah I know I am a cheap a$$)
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: La La Land
Actually, you already have a 6G. All 99+ Superduty's do.
What you want is the special "large-case" 6G. That's a somewhat different animal, but uses the same bearings and regulator/brush pack.
Would I be surprised to find all the castings and internal parts are made in China, anyway? Not at all.
Pop
What you want is the special "large-case" 6G. That's a somewhat different animal, but uses the same bearings and regulator/brush pack.
Would I be surprised to find all the castings and internal parts are made in China, anyway? Not at all.
Pop
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