Alternator part numbers

[HoleshotHolset]

The old charge box in my '98 is lazy at an idle... even when the truck has been running for 12+ hours. Rev it up to even 1000rpm and the voltage comes right up to where it is when you're going down the road at highway speeds... and everything is OK.



Time to swap it out, since I don't have my '94 out here yet to get around in to take the alternator to a starter/alternator place...



I found what seems like a really good deal on a brand new (not reman. ) alternator from www.RockAuto.com (a VERY cool Madison, WI owned auto parts website business, by the way... ).



They list it as being 120A - I thought I had a 140A (or 136A?) unit in my truck?



Here are the part numbers they list for it:

NSA Part #ALT6086

120A (seems low?); Ndenso (yup... mine's a Nippondenso); External Regulator (huh?) $137. 79 (seems like a good deal, no?)



They also list an AC Delco Part #3211242 - it's a reman and is almost $60 more.



Does any of this jive? Other online parts houses also list it as being a 120A alternator... weird.



Thanks,



Matt

 

[RHARVEY]

I didnt know ours was external regulated???? Also what should the gauge show as normal???



Rick

 

[HoleshotHolset]

The whole 'externally regulated' bit has me sorta confused.



The alternator itself is internally regulated... BUT, the rate of charge is determined by the PCM based on a couple of input parameters - primarily voltage and battery temperature (there's actually a little sensor underneath the driver's side battery... )



The voltage gauges in every 2nd Gen truck I have ever seen are always about an 1/8" to the right of the 14 volt mark (fully warmed up... grid heaters done making toast, etc. )... indicating about 14. 5V or so. I've never had a reason to check the actual voltage with a DVOM.



Despite the gauge being sorta slow to respond... it seems pretty accurate overall.



Matt

 

[crabman]

Info

Holeshot,

Go to www.dodgeram. info and find the Tech Sheet. It gives you all the info about your alt.

crabman

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Crabman,



According to that page - it states that the alternator is 136A as well.



I ordered my new one from http://www.RockAuto.com yesterday afternoon - I'll let ya'all know how it turns out.



Matt

 

[crabman]

Holeshot,

Hope everything turns out :-laf and not :{ .

crabman

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I don't anticipate any problems. As far as customer service, the folks over at RockAuto have treated me like gold so far.



Matt

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Very late update - my bad.



That alternator I bought from www.RockAuto.com bolted up like a champ and has been charging just fine since I installed it...



Matt

 

[Beast2B]

I'd think with the external (PCM) regulation a 120A would do fine. Unless you are getting into lights, amps, etc for big draws...