RIP: Alternator #5

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Ok... this is getting a little bit ridiculous. this is my second alternator to fail in 4 months. my 5th since i rebuilt the car in 08.

It failed in the same way as all the others, what ever mechanism is used to internally dictate how much energy the alternator is putting out got stuck on the full blast position. lighting up my dashboard like a Christmas tree and doing its very very best to cook the hell out my red top.

It was such a heavy and sudden surge this time that it blew out my low beam bulbs. Yea..


my battery is mounted in the trunk & I know my 3inch down pipe is very close to the alternator and oil filter. Those are the only things i think are relevant to this problem.

what can i do to stop killing these %@^#ing alternators. is their anything other than heat that it could be?

 

[a95gsx]

I have also added a fresh air duct....

The power of fresh air......My 750il actually has an inlet/airduct in the front airdam for the alt from the factory, later models had a watercooled alternator. Once upon a time GM/Pontiac put an electric fan and ductwork in the fiero to supply cool air to the alternator (and ignition coil). They didn't do it to make the car any cheaper (as if they could). You might have yourself a solution.