Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Altenator is Dead ... whats a good aftermarket one?

[FATCAT]

Well, last night the ol Altenator finally decided it was on its death bed. The GEN light came one and it would only stay charged up to over 14 amps if the rpms were at least 1750.

So ... I need a new one, what would you guys suggest. I need it fast so is NAPA the way to go or should I go to the Dealer for one?

Are these 750 amp Alts? I can't remember?



Thanks.

 

[DPinkston]

Are these 750 amp Alts? I can't remember?

Thanks.

Not hardly. I think stock is around 130 amps.

Danny

 

[mikel]

Give Larry a call, he can help you out.



Larry B's Web Page



His Phone # 1-800-414-0769





Good Luck,

Mike

 

[rKortan]

I just put one on last week. I got it from NAPA ( 120 amp ) for 160. 00. Make sure you have the correct pulley on it. Do not give them the core until you check the pulley. I had to have them change pulley's after I ate up one serpentine belt before I realized the pulley's were slightly different. They looked the same but there was about 1/8 of an inch difference in the shoulder of the pulley which caused the belt to gradually ride up on the pulley. Make sure you check it for porper operation before you drive it... ... ..... BK

 

[Smokin Ram]

Forget replacing it, a new is like 150 to 200 bucks, just have it rebuilt. I had mine calve totally and i rebuilt it for 50 bucks, and it was rebuilt top to bottom. (american prices) Its a lot cheaper.

 

[FATCAT]

Well, I have no time or place to work on my truck so its at my machanics. Will have to wait for a NAPA reman. 120 amp. alt. come in on Monday! Damm! No truck for the weekend.

Oh Well thing could be worse ... I just wish the temps outside would get above 10 degees ... you can't do anything outside with bare hands for more than 2 minutes these days.

 

[Jschafer]

I read that it is at the shop but you might check with Autozone they seem to be the only one in my town that stocks parts for my truck. I got an Alt from them 130k ago it has a lifetime warranty and I have had no problem with it.

 

[K5IP]

Is your tach still working?

Rog

 

[FATCAT]

I read that it is at the shop but you might check with Autozone they seem to be the only one in my town that stocks parts for my truck. I got an Alt from them 130k ago it has a lifetime warranty and I have had no problem with it.

Well, since my machanic is a good shooting buddy of mine, I don't want to take business away from him. The NAPA has a lifetime warranty on it as well and a 24 month "will tow for free" warrenty on their Remany-alt. He has a heated garrage and its just too damm cold out to do anywork on any machanical thing-a-ma-bob these days.

 

[mechanic]

Well, since my machanic is a good shooting buddy of mine, I don't want to take business away from him. The NAPA has a lifetime warranty on it as well and a 24 month "will tow for free" warrenty on their Remany-alt. He has a heated garrage and its just too damm cold out to do anywork on any machanical thing-a-ma-bob these days.

K5IP posed a good question. If your tach is not working, check the plug connector above the fan hub and under the upper radiator hose. Some times when a belt tares up or someone works on some part close by, it will get unpluged. It is the crankshaft sensor lead and when it is open, the shutdown relay will not close and that is what energizes the alt. If that is ok, ask your friend to check the brushes. They are very easy to change. They come out from the rear of the alt. no need to tare it down, and they cost less then $10. 00.

 

[FATCAT]

Tach works fine

Is your tach still working?

Rog

My tach works just fine. As I drove home that night I would have to be above 1500 rpm to keep the Volt meter up to 12. 2500 rpm would give me 14 volts ... but as soon as I was at a stop sign or a stop light at idle (700 rpm) the volt meter would drop like a rock to 10 volts or less.

 

[BigBadDodge]

The stocker is 120 amp, I have added some other electrical items, gauges, air compressors, lights, etc... so I chose to purchase the load Boss from altestart through ebay buy it now to my door $271. 00 its 205Amps and has a lifetime warranty



Check it out:

HERE



I am putting it in this weekend as my chrome alternator bracket I bought off ebay at the same time should arrive today.



BBD

 

[BigBadDodge]

The link above wasn't for the diesel one, so you might have to call them if intrested. There is a diesel one listed on ebay at 165amps if you looking for a little more.



BBD

 

[FATCAT]

Well, the only additional electrocal stuff I have is the lights on the gagues. Actually my new (remanufactured) alt. came in today from Albany and my truck will be ready tonight (when I get home around 8pm).

As for Ebay, I have never bought anything from them and don't plan to since I have heard numerous horror stories of people getting ripped off all the time or if they are lucky to get the product they purchased, it is not what they thougt it was and there is no way to get your money back.

 

[mechanic]

In that case I would recommend that you take it to a shop that can check the alt. on the truck. There are a number of test machines that will tell if you have a bad alt. or regulator which is inside / a part of the ECM. What you are tell us sounds like an alt. with a diode or stator bad. But a regulator that is "stuck" at a set field voltage could give a simular result. Also, don't put to much faith in the dash gauge. It is only a monitor to tell you to check the system. It may be misleading you. Check the voltage at the battery terminals with a DVOM.

 

[FATCAT]

In that case I would recommend that you take it to a shop that can check the alt. on the truck. There are a number of test machines that will tell if you have a bad alt. or regulator which is inside / a part of the ECM. What you are tell us sounds like an alt. with a diode or stator bad. But a regulator that is "stuck" at a set field voltage could give a simular result. Also, don't put to much faith in the dash gauge. It is only a monitor to tell you to check the system. It may be misleading you. Check the voltage at the battery terminals with a DVOM.

It was definitely the Alt. The new NAPA works great ... lights are at full power and the Volt gauge is back to normal. Nothing lasts forever ... I figure that 8 1/2 years was a good run for the original Alt.

 

[wcjp]

FATCAT



Just saw this thread. Mine died the exact same way yours did. I went with a reman Bosch that's worked great for the past month.

 

[BigBadDodge]

Mine was definatly the alternator as well I guess the 97 thing



pictures HERE of the 205 Amp installed.



BBD

 

[hammersley]

Do you have to do anything

to the wiring harness to increase the alternator size from standard????? I mean can you cook the output side????

 

[ARARAR]

dead alternator

Make sure that the fuse didn't blow. I was changing my oil one day and the handle of my strap wrench shorted behind the alternator. didn't really notice anything until my batteries went dead a couple days later. It was still under warranty any

d the dealer came and towed to the dealership. Had it back the next day; batteries charged and a new alternator. Couple a days later the batteries were dead again. They recharged the batteries replaced the alternator but never checked the fuse. The way I figure it, all I ever did was blow the fuse.