I have thought for a while that the bearings in my alternator were making a funny noise so I started stripping mine down today to replace them (nice and cheap, £4) only to find that the copper contacts on the shaft have 2mm deep groves in them (to the point there is no copper left at the base and there are groves in the shaft!) and the noise I am hearing is actually the contacts dragging on the shaft itself. Amazingly, it was still charging fine.
I have ordered a new alternator but is 50,000 miles reasonable for one? (I will jinx it now) The one on my old focus has done 140,000 miles without fault but this has only lasted 3 years.
How long should alternators last?
How long should alternators last?
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: How long should alternators last?
it should last longer than that. but once the guarantee is up you are on your own...
Re: How long should alternators last?
50k is awful - I've never had to replace an alternator, all mine in recent years have tbeen original to the car, everal going well over 100k. The one on my Volvo for instance has just gone over 150k and never been touched.
Must have been something wrong with it - or perhaps it was replaced in the past with a high mileage 2nd hand one?
If you didn't have bad luck you wouldn't have any luck at all, eh Terry?
Must have been something wrong with it - or perhaps it was replaced in the past with a high mileage 2nd hand one?
If you didn't have bad luck you wouldn't have any luck at all, eh Terry?
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
Re: How long should alternators last?
I think the car has decided that it wants to be left alone to rust in peace. it's not happy at having it's life extended. Unfortunately for the car (and my bank manager), it doesn't get a choice.
Irritatingly, it is 4 months out of warranty. It came from a reputable supplier and wasn't the cheapest option. It's a Denso A127i which I was hoping would last the rest of the lifetime of the car. Still, at least it is only 2 bolts and 4 wires to swap it over. I have the original alternator which has a problem where it drains the cars battery overnight so I might try swapping the shaft between the two alternators to see if I can make one good one from two and have a spare.
The contacts (brushes?) from the rear of the generator appear to be made from steel, I was fairly sure they should be something softer but it explains why the copper is worn completely through.
Irritatingly, it is 4 months out of warranty. It came from a reputable supplier and wasn't the cheapest option. It's a Denso A127i which I was hoping would last the rest of the lifetime of the car. Still, at least it is only 2 bolts and 4 wires to swap it over. I have the original alternator which has a problem where it drains the cars battery overnight so I might try swapping the shaft between the two alternators to see if I can make one good one from two and have a spare.
The contacts (brushes?) from the rear of the generator appear to be made from steel, I was fairly sure they should be something softer but it explains why the copper is worn completely through.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: How long should alternators last?
Would it not be easier to swap the diode pack over to the old one?
Re: How long should alternators last?
I would say yes but unfortunately (despite them being the same model) they don't line up 
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.