Faulty alternator

[41085\\]

I'm having trouble with my alternator recently when I bought the car the alternator went out eventhough it looked brand new so I'm like well the person that I bought this car from does have a big system in it thats why it probably went out so soon So I got a new one at advance auto parts put it in work great for about a month and a half. I don't know whats causing this is it just because I got the alternator from advance and its just faulty or I have a short somewhere or maybe I tightened the belt too tight which I think I did.

 

[57TrimGST]

You should be able to at least budge the belt up and down with your finger in the middle. If you cannot, It's way too tight. Also, It may just be the alternator. I bought a brand new alternator from Advanced once and it was junk. Take it back and get another one for free.

 

[dthquazi1]

i think the alternator for these cars are the worst. I have never had to replace an alternator on a car more than this one.

 

[41085\\]

Yeah thats what I did I took it back and got a free one but I'm worried about it going out again so I might just save money and buy one from the dealer.

 

[steve]

i think the alternator for these cars are the worst. I have never had to replace an alternator on a car more than this one.

I disagree. I think the problem is poor maintenance and low quality replacement parts.
My original alternator lasted 100k before it's brushes wore out. The replacement was a junkyard pull that I slapped new brushes and bearings into and it's lasted 20k so far.

I don't have power steering fluid dripping on it or oil spray all over, the belt isn't overtightened and I'm not trying to pull 200A from a 75A alternator with some big set of amps in the back.

I've never had good luck with autoparts store rebuilds on any car so I've stopped using them. I either do them myself or use a local automotive electric shop to clean and replace the parts needed with quality replacements.

Steve

 

[dthquazi1]

i think it is just luck. I never bought a rebuild but the three new ones i got went bad far before warranty. So i got free ones to replace them. I did use used ones and i expected them to go out. I did have a little power steering fluid dripping in but i fixed that. All together i went through 5. I had no system in the back and i never overtightened the belt. I really just think it is luck.

 

[steve]

I never bought a rebuild but the three new ones i got went bad far before warrant.

I really doubt you bought 3 new ones. You can't even buy a new alternator from Mitsubishi. They are all rebuilds.

Steve

 

[Steve_P]

I disagree. I think the problem is poor maintenance and low quality replacement parts.
My original alternator lasted 100k before it's brushes wore out. The replacement was a junkyard pull that I slapped new brushes and bearings into and it's lasted 20k so far.

I don't have power steering fluid dripping on it or oil spray all over, the belt isn't overtightened and I'm not trying to pull 200A from a 75A alternator with some big set of amps in the back.

I've never had good luck with autoparts store rebuilds on any car so I've stopped using them. I either do them myself or use a local automotive electric shop to clean and replace the parts needed with quality replacements.

Steve

I agree.

I got over 200K miles out of my OE alternator. The brushes were bad though when I changed it because of a failed regulator which fried it. I bought an all new alternator from the starter/alternator rebuilder because I have heard a lot of problems with chain store rebuilt alternators lately. I don't care about free replacements if I have to pull the thing out once a year to change it or it leaves me stranded.

I can't remember the price on the unit I got but it was reasonable, cheaper than Mitsu at 25% off, and has been on the car for over 50k miles with no problems. IIRC it is made by a Korean company

 

[dthquazi1]

I really doubt you bought 3 new ones. You can't even buy a new alternator from Mitsubishi. They are all rebuilds.

Steve

i got 3 new ones from autozone. True they are rebuilds but they are basically new and should have lasted way longer than they did. 2 other friends have gottan alternators from the same company and have lasted till this day. I bought the first one but the other two were warranty coverage because of the faulty one before it. They first one lasted 3 months and the second lasted 2 and the third one is on the car but i suspect it may be going bad. I really think there may be something wrong with something there but i cannot find anything. It really doesn't bother me anymore because i can swap them in half a hour. I just think it is luck.

i also live on a farm that is pretty dusty which very well could be the problem but all our other vehicles have no issues.

 

[Steve_P]

a rebuild is not as reliable as a new unit unless they change every component less the aluminum housing. Chain store rebuilders only change bearings and brushes and any part that tests bad. I have heard of a lot of rebuilt alternators being bad right out of the box- make them thoroughly test it before you leave the store. Your friend was lucky, you were not. I would personally cut my losses, forget about AZ, spend the $$$, and get an true new unit like I did. One night you'll get stranded and probably wish you did.