I replaced the Alternator 4 months ago. Tach stopped working yesterday, so I ordered the replacement (lifetime warranty) and when it came in I took the dead one up to Oreiley and it came up Bad.

Replaced started the truck and the Tachometer sprung to life. Problem solved so I thought. I got in the truck a bit later, started it up, rolled the windows down, opened the sunroofs, and turned the A/C on. I had not moved the vehicle 30 feet before I realized that the Tach was once again dead.

What could kill the Alt so quickly, could a short in either the sunroofs/window motors or the blower motor kill the Alternator that quickly? Perhaps a problem with the Battery??

 

Do yourself a HUGE favor and buy a used alt off of e-bay, then when you have enough money buy a second used one.
I went through 4 lifetime warranty alternators in 2 years, 2 from AutoZone and 2 from Advance Auto.
The first one lasted a year, the next 3 lasted no longer than 3 months each.
They are crap rebuilt alternators.
You either need to buy a brand new one or a used one.

 

Ok, but really it worked for like 30 seconds.. is this common??
Is there ANY thing that could have shorted this last alternator?

 

There is lots that could have shorted it out.
I installed a "new" alt and it was bad right out of the box.
This is common for these places, they all use the same rebuilder but they put it in a different box.
It is not very likely to be a problem with your truck, it could be, but not likely.

 

Soo

Is this one from Atlantic Brittish acceptable??
Hell I paid $200 something dollars for the rebuilt one..

But Im skeptical about buying another one when the last one only lasted 30 seconds.

 

Well the good news is you can return the one you bought at the store for a full refund.
You wont get your core back which sucks.
Yes I think the one from AB would be fine.
Advance Auto also sells a brand new one for our trucks.

 

I am on my second advanced auto alt in three months, go for a new one, the cost is worth the headache! When this one goes I will suck it up and order a new one.

 

I plan on putting the next one in the truck with the blower off, compressor switch off, windows already open and then start it up then power up each one of these one at a time and see if one of them shorts it out. If everything works, then I will buy a new one when this one fails 3-4 months down the line. Waiting till Wed for the part, will post back.

 

I can get them from the local recycler at a really good price for used ones. If anybody needs one let me know and I'll grab one for you.

 

I am assuming that you are disconnecting the battery before you put the alt in, if you hook it up with the battery connected you WILL fry it as soon as you hook up the wires.