3 Alternators in 75,000 miles

[jngreuey]

I recently had the battery light come on a few days ago and noticed the interior dome lights getting dimmer the more the truck is driven. Well just tonight it did not start and we jumped it and it fired right up, but interior lights were slightly dim. I disconnected all battery terminals, adding some water to the batteries and started the truck up (this was shortly after it was jumped). I let in run with all the lights on for about 30 minutes and the battery gauge eventually dropped really low and the interior dash lights were very dim. All connections are good and when the truck intially started the battery gauge was normal, so it sounds like the alternator. The issue is that this alternator is only about 2.5 yrs old and the alternator before that lasted only 10,000 miles. What could be causing the alternators to go bad so quick? The two alternators were just stock so they are likely mostly rebuilt.

[jackpine savages]

How old are your batteries?


Are all your grounds connected? There's two ground straps on the back of my early '99, which can be seen by sticking your head under truck in front of rear wheel wells, that should be checked. I think they ground the body to the frame?

I had Sears put Monroe shocks on my rig and for some reason they disconnected these 2 grounds in the rear, but never re-connected them. I had several electrical problems until i found those straps disconnected. Cleaned up the contact points with wire wheel on a drill, primed that ground area, and re-connected.

Hope that helps somewhat.

[super stroke]

I sure would like you to keep us posted my fathers 03 gets a new one every year they tell his its fairly common witch i think might be BS

[2005F250]

Next time it gets replaced put a new pully on the alternator and put a new belt on.

[farmboypowerstroke]

Originally Posted by jngreuey

I recently had the battery light come on a few days ago and noticed the interior dome lights getting dimmer the more the truck is driven. Well just tonight it did not start and we jumped it and it fired right up, but interior lights were slightly dim. I disconnected all battery terminals, adding some water to the batteries and started the truck up (this was shortly after it was jumped). I let in run with all the lights on for about 30 minutes and the battery gauge eventually dropped really low and the interior dash lights were very dim. All connections are good and when the truck intially started the battery gauge was normal, so it sounds like the alternator. The issue is that this alternator is only about 2.5 yrs old and the alternator before that lasted only 10,000 miles. What could be causing the alternators to go bad so quick? The two alternators were just stock so they are likely mostly rebuilt.

Do you have a snow plow in the winter?

[Bedevil]

i was having alot of trouble with alternators until we started using Leece Neville on our big trucks , tractors, vac truck, etc. Since I started using them about 10 years ago we have not had to change another alternator.you can get them in massive amperage also. thesealternators save alot of headaches

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

them telling you changing alternators once a year is crap i still have my stock alternator and my truck is almost 7 years old...

you might need to upgrade to a better/stronger alternator...

-Raul

[dzchey21]

Originally Posted by Raul@Stealth Automotive

them telling you changing alternators once a year is crap i still have my stock alternator and my truck is almost 7 years old...

you might need to upgrade to a better/stronger alternator...

-Raul

you better knock on wood lol I went through three in 2 years 40kmiles or so. One was a factory ford the other two were napa. All rebuilt. dunno i dont think that a 110 amps is enough to be honest and they need more.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

Originally Posted by dzchey21

you better knock on wood lol I went through three in 2 years 40kmiles or so. One was a factory ford the other two were napa. All rebuilt. dunno i dont think that a 110 amps is enough to be honest and they need more.

lol no worries..ill be upgrading mine to a DC Alt. very soon....