Alternator again?! Now what?
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From: North Hollywood, CA
Alternator again?! Now what? Ok everyone, need some help figuring this one out here. I replaced my alternator on my 2K T/A about a month ago. Worked good for about 5 days and went out. On the day it went out, I noticed that it stopped working right after punching it to get onto the freeway. Nothing major, maybe to about 4K RPM's. Right after I got off of it to cruise at highway speed, I notice the battery gauge is in the red. Took the alternator off, had it tested, and it failed miserably. Got a replacement since it was only five days old, installed it, and it's been good for the past three weeks. I was even able to make a couple of trips to San Diego and Fresno without any problems. Well, I was getting on an onramp again to get home tonight, hit around 4K RPM's again, and guess what? Same thing. Battery gauge goes right into the red after letting off. Anyone know what the hell could be causing this? Could it just be that these rebuilt alternators are no good?
My buddies Trans Am went through 3 rebuilt alternators in less than 2 weeks. The last on finally lasted SO FAR. There came from autozone.
Also his car was cammed which revved higher and he didnt have a underdrive pulley. Alternators dont like to get revved higher than stock.
Also his car was cammed which revved higher and he didnt have a underdrive pulley. Alternators dont like to get revved higher than stock.
They are not rebuilt alternators are they? I've had back luck with them on two occasions.
On one situation, I put an Auto Zone rebuilt alternator on one of my old Camaros, then about a week later I noticed my gauge cluster lights were dimming and the volts were in the red. The rebuilt alternator was no good.
Could have just been two coincidences, but since then I've only used the Duralast Gold alternators, which are new, and I haven't had any problems.
On one situation, I put an Auto Zone rebuilt alternator on one of my old Camaros, then about a week later I noticed my gauge cluster lights were dimming and the volts were in the red. The rebuilt alternator was no good.
Could have just been two coincidences, but since then I've only used the Duralast Gold alternators, which are new, and I haven't had any problems.
One of the autozone alternators that I had on my old car went out after a week.
Got another one because of the warranty and that one was fine.
I think you just have to get lucky and get one that will last.
Got another one because of the warranty and that one was fine.
I think you just have to get lucky and get one that will last.
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On The Tree
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The alternators I've used have been rebuilt.
My T/A is bone stock. I understand how the alternator may not like being revved high, but I was only revving to about 4K RPM's. I don't think that is very high.
I checked Autozone's website for a Duralast Gold alternator, but all I found was the regular Duralast.
My T/A is bone stock. I understand how the alternator may not like being revved high, but I was only revving to about 4K RPM's. I don't think that is very high.
I checked Autozone's website for a Duralast Gold alternator, but all I found was the regular Duralast.
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haha i went through 7 autozone alternators within 6 months before i figured out i was over revving it, and they never once gave me **** about it which was pretty cool. well in youre case have you had the battery checked before installing the alternator? also have you checked the power wire going to the alternator for looseness? or how tight the connection is from the copper piece that is crimped on to the power wire? sorry i realize thats a little hard to comprehend the last one but i dont any other way to word it.
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On The Tree
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From: North Hollywood, CA
haha i went through 7 autozone alternators within 6 months before i figured out i was over revving it, and they never once gave me **** about it which was pretty cool. well in youre case have you had the battery checked before installing the alternator? also have you checked the power wire going to the alternator for looseness? or how tight the connection is from the copper piece that is crimped on to the power wire? sorry i realize thats a little hard to comprehend the last one but i dont any other way to word it.
I was at 6500 when all my alts died, so i just replaced the pulley with an underdrive one from thunder racing and no problems now. as far as youre situation goes im out of ideas sorry.
I had the same issue on my 99 and since my battery was new I never suspected it. Turned out that even new batteries need to be fully charged when the alternator goes on or it can have ill effects on the alternator.
Fig
Fig
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On The Tree
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From: North Hollywood, CA
Thanks for the tip. I'll make sure my battery is charged up before the next alternator goes in.
