Blew two alternators, what's the problem????

[Wknd_Warrior]

Just a thought... are you over spinning the alternators?

Get a tape measure or some string and measure what size your crank and alternator pulleys are. Divide the crank size by the alternator size and multiply that by your max RPM. That will tell you how fast your alternator is spinning.

From what I understand, most alternators are not designed to see over 16000 rpm... and you should pulley it to see less then that (14-15000).

 

[HISSIN50]

15K RPM is the critical speed spec I recall for 3G's as well.

 

[GToddyT5]

It has been fine so far, after fully charging the battery. Will I have issues if I need to jump my car however? Or is there some sort of break-in period for alternators?

 

[HISSIN50]

It has been fine so far, after fully charging the battery. Will I have issues if I need to jump my car however? Or is there some sort of break-in period for alternators?

If cables are connected correctly, jumping shouldnt lead to an issue.

There's no break-in period for alts. Maybe you finally got a decent one.

Good luck.

 

[GToddyT5]

It was actually the same one. I originally replaced my motorcraft one with a rebuilt one. I installed it, it worked for a day and then crapped out. Then I exchanged that one, threw in another rebuilt one. That one crapped out in about 20 mins. Mind you, I did not fully charge the battery either of these two times. I took this one to Autozone (it was still hot for an hour or two after I took it out). Autozone tested it and it failed. I took it back to Advance, where I got it, had it tested, and it tested fine. So then I had them fully charge my batt, I threw it back in. And all has been well since.

 

[HISSIN50]

We look forward to reading your book about alternator tales when all is said and done brah. That sucks.

I'm wondering if it's still not a wiring issue.
Just something to reconsider if it craps itself again.

Good luck.

 

[GToddyT5]

Wiring issues are so hard to track down sometimes.

 

[GToddyT5]

We look forward to reading your book about alternator tales when all is said and done brah. That sucks.

I'm wondering if it's still not a wiring issue.
Just something to reconsider if it craps itself again.

Good luck.

OK, so in the past three days I took out two more alternators. I toasted one and then noticed that one of my amp wires came off because of a bad crimp. So then I completely disconnected all my amp wiring and threw in another alternator. I drove the car yesterday afternoon, night, and went to work today. When I got out of work today, the alternator wasn't working anymore. What's the deal???????? I'm so pissed off right now. I've gone through five of these things. It can't be the alternators!!!! Is there anything obvious I'm missing here? Fuses, wiring???? The wiring around my alternator looks ok.

 

[HISSIN50]

Do you have fuse protection on your alternator cable? If not OEM, is the fuse/fusible link correct for the application?

I'm kinda out of ideas. I might shoot The Mustang a PM (if he didn't post on this thread). He used to rebuild alternators and starters as I recall. His posts on the subjects are quite good.

Good luck bud.

 

[GToddyT5]

Everything looks stock. I guess I'll start peeling back looms today. This is really frustrating.

 

[fastfive0]

i have almost an identical problem with my 94. Did you find a solution? I am on my second alt and 2nd optima battery in 4 days.


george

 

[KBCobra95]

GToddyT5, did you ever find a solution? I have having the EXACT same problem as you. Even down to swapping out the alt pulley and everything. I have shot two brand new palladium alts and one brand new optima battery. Now I have ordered a powermaster and I don't want to blow this one.

 

[Pokageek]

Coming in on this late but what if ANY and even the tiniest of changes did yall make b4 this started happening..

 

[KBCobra95]

I changed my headlights out. Blue oval industries.

 

[Pokageek]

Different wattage bulbs by chance?

 

[KBCobra95]

same bulbs

 

[Road_Runna]

Did it look anything like this?

 

[KBCobra95]

No, mine is blowing internally. actually, the palladiums were rebuilt new ones.

 

[Danman765432]

I dont know if you just saw my recent thread about alternators but I have been going through them like crazy too...In the past 2 and half years i have gone through the stock one, stock replacement a 175 amp Load Boss and a 200 amp load boss. The first three stopped and wouldnt charge anymore....the last one which was the 200 amp something broke internally and made my volt meter stay stuck at 18volts...I also cooked my battery pretty good too, trying to get the car home.

 

[Pokageek]

Did it look anything like this?

What happened to that one?