Why do our alternators suck so bad?

[90AWDTalon]

I've owned my car for about 8 months now, and on my way to work this morning my alternator took a dump on me for the 3rd time. Luckily I have a good batery and made it home. This really sucks, I have warranty from Schucks but three times in less than one year is rediculous. It couldn't have come at a worse time either. I'm out of vacation and cant make up the hours at work in only two days so I'm going to get a small pay check. Plus I have to go to court this morning for a ticket I got, I hope if I call them up and explain they'll be cool about it, but I'm alittle doubtful. Any ways just venting and maybe seeing if anyone know's why our alternators suck so bad.

 

[Enzo]

mine was checked this morning today and was running a whopping 30 amps....and i was wondering why my lights looked like shit and my car wants to die .

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by 90AWDTalon
my alternator took a dump on me for the 3rd time. Luckily I have a good batery and made it home. This really sucks, I have warranty from Schucks but three times in less than one year is rediculous.

Perhaps it's the Schucks alternators that suck?

 

[RoasT BeeF]

Originally posted by Defiant
Perhaps it's the Schucks alternators that suck?

Agreed. A Schucks alternator is an aftermarket alternator, therefore it is not "ours". Although I did have my Mitsu one go out not to long ago, but that was due to me pounding on it with a hammer to make it tighten up while i was on the side of the highway.

 

[LTUSPE]

Shucks and Murrays alternators absolutely suck. I had the unfortunate experience of buying one from Murrays and I went through 4 of them and finally got so fed up I bought a Mitsu and have had no problems since. I think that they go out so easily is party because they're right next to the turbo and exhaust. All that heat just roasts em to a crisp. One other thing you may want to look at when you're replacing the alternator is to make sure that your crank pulley (harmonic damper) isn't splitting apart........mine was only after 30,000 miles.

 

[Colossus]

Agreed, stick with the original altenator. Mine has a new smaller pulley on it so that it turns a tad bit quicker, putting out a bit more voltage in the process.