Chief Z

I am having a problem with blowing alternators. I bought the car about two month ago. I had professional installers put a small after market system in the car that was previously in a Hyundai for three years with no problems. (the system may or may not be a factor, but the dealership thinks it is a factor).
Shortly after this, the battery died. Took it to the dealer, who swapped it for a cheap new battery. A few days later, battery died. I thought the system might be a bigger drain, so I bought an Optima red top gel cell. I was in the dealership a week later for a different issue, but they noticed the alternator not charging and replaced it with a new OEM (Delphi). One week later, it fried and stranded me with a discharged battery. Back to the shop where they replaced the alternator with a higher charging one, noting the "stereo" might need more juice than the stocker could make. I thought a drain from the amps would kill the battery, not the alternator. The stereo shop confirmed this theory, saying they had never heard of anything like this and the system is a small one in any event.
Washed the car this afternoon and headed over to the GF's house. "Check Gauges" cuts on. I look down to see the Volts are in the red, ie - another alternator down.
Has anyone experienced this, or something similar? What could account for a charging system problem that is eating up alternators? What am I looking at to have the dealership track down and fix this problem? I am getting annoyed at replacing the same part every week.
HELP!

koolaid_kid

iTrader: (21)

In order to prove that the stereo system is not the culprit, disconnect it. An incorrectly wired system, no matter how small, could cause the problems you are describing.

Chief Z

It is only a small drain. Since it is connected by a dedicated fuse to the battery, the drain is on the battery. It should pull down the battery, right? How would this blow the alternator? Would a voltage probe on the power supply wire indicate an excessive current draw? How do I get this fixed?

rayhawk

A drain like that will absolutely fry the alternator if there is an excessive current draw somewhere. It will demand 100% from the alternator until it gets burned out.

Chief Z

Fried alt # 3.
Pulling out...WOT..."Check Gauges"
Back to the dealer.
It seems like the alt will last only about 7 days. Also seems like the last two have popped at WOT. Theories? Something with the belts assembly?

quiet_storm98

iTrader: (48)

mine has been doing the same thing...i have had a system in my car for about 2 years and mine just started doing it recently...well anyway i think i may have found my culprit, my positive battery cable ring is badly corroded so im gonna replace the cable and see if that works..here is the thread i started in the audio and electronics section of this forum https://ls1tech.com/forums/wiring-stereo-electronics/779996-need-help-alt-keeps-going-out.html maybe it will help to give you some ideas of what is going on