Alternator PSA
Alternator PSA
We moved from Chicago to Minneapolis this last weekend, and what a move.
First, the good. Towed an 8x12 trailer loaded and the engine did great. went 60 the whole way, and it pulled up hills easily and I was imperessed.
Now for the bad, after loading the trailer, it had a flat! So had to wait for a fix, then the battery light comes on, so I grab a new battery, old Napa AGM was five years old and due. We get on our way, and the battery light comes back on around Schaumburg, so we drove to an Autozone in Elgin and parked. While pulling the alternator out the bolt on the belt tensioner strips so I cannot remove the fan. Luckily, my tools were handy in our trailers and I have a kit that I carry with me, so I cut the belt off and removed the alternator and tensioner.
The Alternator, which was a RR 150 Amp unit I bought used, failed on all accounts. Ordered a new belt and Tensioner from Napa and RR 150 Amp Alternator from Autozone, because those offered the best timing. Had all parts by 11am the next day. Charged the battery at Autozone, installed and was good to go.
The moral of the story is this. If you have your alternator off, or buy a used one, head over to Autozone and have them test it. Won't cost you anything and you'll know whether it is good or not.
The old alternator showed between 13.0 to13.4 during operation. New Duralast Unit shows 13.8 to 14.0. It is a rebuilt Bosch Unit, and has a lifetime warranty.
First, the good. Towed an 8x12 trailer loaded and the engine did great. went 60 the whole way, and it pulled up hills easily and I was imperessed.
Now for the bad, after loading the trailer, it had a flat! So had to wait for a fix, then the battery light comes on, so I grab a new battery, old Napa AGM was five years old and due. We get on our way, and the battery light comes back on around Schaumburg, so we drove to an Autozone in Elgin and parked. While pulling the alternator out the bolt on the belt tensioner strips so I cannot remove the fan. Luckily, my tools were handy in our trailers and I have a kit that I carry with me, so I cut the belt off and removed the alternator and tensioner.
The Alternator, which was a RR 150 Amp unit I bought used, failed on all accounts. Ordered a new belt and Tensioner from Napa and RR 150 Amp Alternator from Autozone, because those offered the best timing. Had all parts by 11am the next day. Charged the battery at Autozone, installed and was good to go.
The moral of the story is this. If you have your alternator off, or buy a used one, head over to Autozone and have them test it. Won't cost you anything and you'll know whether it is good or not.
The old alternator showed between 13.0 to13.4 during operation. New Duralast Unit shows 13.8 to 14.0. It is a rebuilt Bosch Unit, and has a lifetime warranty.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 450
Likes: 81
From: Kailua Kona, HI
I would be wary of parts stores over the counter testing of alternators and starters.
I can't tell you how many customers bring their cars in with a no start or a battery light concern with the story "I had it tested and napa/autozone/oreillys and they said its working fine, so it must be something else" It's almost never "something else"
I can't tell you how many customers bring their cars in with a no start or a battery light concern with the story "I had it tested and napa/autozone/oreillys and they said its working fine, so it must be something else" It's almost never "something else"
Thanks Sixpack. Loving how it runs really. I get an intermittent P0430, and now that I have access to a garage I am going to put a new gasket on.
I would be wary of parts stores over the counter testing of alternators and starters.
I can't tell you how many customers bring their cars in with a no start or a battery light concern with the story "I had it tested and napa/autozone/oreillys and they said its working fine, so it must be something else" It's almost never "something else"
I can't tell you how many customers bring their cars in with a no start or a battery light concern with the story "I had it tested and napa/autozone/oreillys and they said its working fine, so it must be something else" It's almost never "something else"
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