alternator life

[vulcanero03]

Has anybody here ever experienced an alternator failure on a 1500 nomad FI? what's the highest mileage and age before failing?
my 2003 with 86,000 miles is not charging, i am going to replace the regulators, but not sure if that's the problem. I figured the regulators would go out before the alternator, we'll see.

[reaper]

sorry thought you mean't "alternative life" style :)

[cactusjack]

sorry thought you mean't "alternative life" style :)

::) http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[ringadingh]

I guess either way your up the creek without a paddle. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Alternator problems are almost unheard here, but anything can break eventually. Start troubleshooting the easy stuff first, hopefully its not the stator assembly. Its all repairable, just a little more work on some of the jobs.

[lomax]

......Like Ringadingh said, alternator probs are not common. But here is some tests you can do to start checking for issues.

Check the DC voltage across the battery terminals and if the results are within spec, then in all likelihood you wont need to check the alternator output. You really should have a copy of the service manual to get the whole picture. But for a simple test do as fols:
1. Pull headlight fuse
2. Measure across battery terminals with ignition OFF. It should read 12.6 - 12.8 V DC (Be sure terminals are clean and tight)
3. Start the engine. Reading should be around 13.5V at idle
4. Turn throttle up to about 2500 - 3000 rpm's (about 1/3 throttle). readings should increase as throttle is increased to read between 14.1 and 15 volts but not over 15.
Then if you get poor readings would be the time to check stator output by testing the 3 wires. Call them A B and C. Run AC Voltage checks between A-B, A-C, and B-C and you should get 60-90V AC on all three. This is done with engine running at about 2500 rpm.s If the readings are good, then the next step would be to check the regulator/rectifier.
\
Mike

[chuckster131]

I just went through some charing problems myself, and the cause was some wires melting down from the connections creating resistance.
I had to cut the regulators and stator plugs right out and hard wire it all together. No problems now.

I have a set of good regulators here if you were to need a set, you pay the shipping and they are yours.


Has anybody here ever experienced an alternator failure on a 1500 nomad FI? what's the highest mileage and age before failing?
my 2003 with 86,000 miles is not charging, i am going to replace the regulators, but not sure if that's the problem. I figured the regulators would go out before the alternator, we'll see.

[dantama]

I thought I had an alternator/battery problem on my 99, it ended up being a bad starter.

I'd get a slow turn over of the starter, hook up a battery charger and get a faster one followed shortly after by a slow one. I thought I had a bad battery and replaced it. Had the same problem with the new battery.

I was under warranty and got a new starter. This was at 50 something thousand miles.