What could I be doing to cause so many Alternator Problems???
 

1977 Mercedes 240D (W123.123) - replaced the originial alternator at 206k. That alternator died later that same day. The replacement for that one died later that week. The replacement for that one died a week later. Shop threw out the whole run and started with a new set. That alternator is still running fine on the car (280k).

1992 Chevy S-10 - original replaced at about 80k. Replacement died at 130k. That replacement is still running on the vehicle (or was when I sold it a few months back).

1990 BMW 520i. No problems while I owned it.

1988 Mercedes 300TE - prior to my purchase, the alternator had been rebuilt at 87k again at 198k. Full replacement at 210k. It's been about two weeks, so far so good.

1998 Toyota Avalon - Original alternator replaced under warrenty from dealer. Replacement died today (just after the warrenty expired).


So that's what? a dozen alternators across 5 cars in a 15 year span. I replace alternators more often than tires. What could I possibly be doing to cause this?

Murphy's law

I'm tired of having Murphey in my Carpool. How do I kick him out?

You're buying rebuilds which are junk. Get your alternators and starters rebuilt by a local electrical rebuilder. I have always got quality work from the local shop and most times the price was less than an over-the-counter exchange part.

Nope. I never get rebuilds, I always go with new. With Mercedes I get Bosch. With my Toytoa it was done by the dealer.

New is very, very, expensive. Are you sure you bought new? Or did the dealer sell it as new?

Trust me, dropping $300- $500 a year on alternators, I know it's expensive. I might have gone with rebuilds at first, but after burning a few of them out I have no qualms about going with new every time now. It's just irritating me that I have to keep doing this. I shouldn't have to replace my alternator more often than my tires.

I use local auto electric shops. No problems.

Local shops the only way to fly.Talk to the local builder, you will find most of them are going bad from poor grounds, Test in the dark with a well ground wire,touch different areas looking for an ark this is an area of poor ground you know what to do from there.

Corrosion on the battery terminal can cause an alternator to fail prematurely,,, or maybe it's your electrical personality :eek:

Well, I have tried moving metal objects with only my mind....:laugh3: and I do command the loyalty of small animals....:sultan:

I did have corrosion on one battery terminal on one of the vehicles once (about the time I purchased it), but the Army taught me to do proper periodic PMCS and I keep my battery terminals clean.