New alternator. Defective?

[jukematt]

I just replaced both my battery and alternator less than two months ago. I had difficulty removing the plug from the old one and so with the new one, the plug wouldn't snap in so I had tape around it to help hold it on. It is a Galant alternator by the way.

Now, I was driving home from school, and first the stereo started cutting out. It sounded like when a CD skips but it was just shutting off and turning back on again. Then my ABS light came on, aftermarket gauges started to dim, and SRS light came on. I pulled off the freeway and my tach and speedo stopped working. I checked the alternator and that plug had come off. I put it back on and got a jump but gauges were still dim and tach and speedo still not working. I tried cleaning the connectors but no matter what I do, I get no power from the alternator. Could it be defective already or is there something else I can check? The alternator fuse checks out. I can't check the voltage on the alternator since she dies as soon as I touch the negative end of my multimeter to ground. No voltage reading on it if the jumper cables are still connected to the two cars.

 

[roboron13]

Ive had many bad parts, esp from autozone, so that is a possibility, also make sure u check underhood fuses and relays!!!

 

[DropSomeMoney]

So after you bought the new battery and alternator it ran fine for a couple months? I'm thinking you have a bad wire somewhere. What year galant was this new one off of? And did you get it from the junkyard? A real simple test to see if you have something pulling power while the car is off is to take a test light to the terminals on your battery.

 

[WES_393]

Like mentioned, double check all of the charge system's wiring. Alternator plug, ground wires, battery cables, etc.

However, if it was purchased new from an Auto Parts store, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the alternator has kicked the bucket. They can do a basic test of the alternator while it's still in the car, but at this point it would be best to remove it for a bench test.

 

[HIGHPSI4]

Following up with what WES stated, most alt. from the auto parts stores are remanufactured. In some cases, the used alternators are checked for function. If they still operate to a certian level they are cleaned up and put in a cleaned case, no extra work or rewinding. If you get one of these units you can have problems as soon as you buy it. Also have a shop check your battery with a load tester. If you have a cell going bad it can act up. Good luck.

 

[bmxmk18]

If you bought both the alt. and battery that recently there is definatley still warranty on it. I work for advance, we can bench test alternators for free and il have to admit the quality of the remaned parts isnt to a very high standard. I would definatly check the voltage drop on the posotive cable from alt. to battery its commom for them to corrode and create high resistance.

 

[hulsak]

What it sounds like is when the cable came off it killed the battery. Depending on the battery you cant bring it back to life after a good charge. Once you kill cells they dont come back. Also do you have a sub or anything in the car? I went through 2 alt before realizing my system was putting too much load on the alt so i put a cheap fix (cap) instead of higher amp alt. Does the plug from a galant have a different plug anyone? If so you need to buy the correct alt so it plugs up. Holding it on with tape....I wouldnt recomend. It gets hot down there and tape doesnt like heat

 

[coop1985]

take the alternator into the local parts store and have it checked out

 

[jukematt]

It was the alternator.

So when I had bought a new battery and alternator, I got a 97 Galant one (90A). Direct bolt on except instead of a stud for the ground, it was just a threaded hole. I bought a tiny bolt for it.

Both the alternator and battery were purchased new from AutoZone. The alternator has a lifetime warranty. The battery has like a 7 year warranty (Duralast Gold). My friend and I pulled it off, took it in, and they confirmed it was bad and they replaced it. This time, the new one had the exact same model number but it had a stud, just like my original stock one.

So I wondered if something was wrong like it wasn't the right one or something fishy was wrong with it. Maybe it is like what HIGHPSI4 said. If that's true, that is sad. But at least it has a lifetime warranty.

Once we replaced it with the new alternator, everything was fine.

Also, yes, I have one 12" sub. I was playing music, running my wipers, and had my lights on.

 

[coop1985]

That happened to me when I had my 95. Brand new alternator that did not work. The alternator was actually built wrong. Took me 3 brand new alternators to get one that worked.

 

[MJBean420]

Yep, another Vatozone alternator defective...??
Get a Denso from Auto Parts Tomorrow | ACDelco, Bendix Brakes, Denso, Motorcraft and more or even AC Delco makes one too.

 

[jukematt]

Yep, another Vatozone alternator defective...??
Get a Denso from Auto Parts Tomorrow | ACDelco, Bendix Brakes, Denso, Motorcraft and more or even AC Delco makes one too.

My previous alternator I had for three years was AutoZone. They seem to be pushing their lifetime warranties. This new Galant one was actually cheaper than the stock replacement and get this, they refunded me the difference, which is unheard of. Normally, stores will replace but never refund the difference of a warranty item.

Granted, it if continues to fail every couple of months than you would likely have to look at the cost/benefit ratio in your own mind. For me, for now, a lifetime warranty means I will never have to buy another alternator. So if this one lasts as long or longer than my previous one, it was a good investment.

 

[TopGun8818]

"DuraCrap! built to last!" . Mine went out a few hours after installing it. I drove to my uncles house an hour or so away and had it go out there. I had to tow the car home - luckily I had; and still have AAA . After that I told myself I would never - ever buy another car part from them or O'reily. My uncle says they have state prison convicts remanufacture them . I replaced it with a BBB from Winchester which has a lifetime warranty.

 

[jukematt]

As I said, you have to look at it for yourself. I believe I got a dud, my previous one was not. I was also able to get a brand new Duralast Gold big battery with a seven year warranty for $53 after they applied my old Duralast cost to it, plus $40 of accumulated points on my AutoZone card. For me, I am having excellent experience. One dud does not make me lose faith in a company. Most of the stuff I have bought from there has lasted long enough to not be a nuisance. What didn't, I was able to get replaced for free. That is hard to beat for most companies. Only trouble is right now, is finding someone with a 1/2" Gates hose in stock for my power steering fluid.

 

[gusu]

From what I have seen most alts die from leaks or heat and most people are too stupid to realize that is what killed them.