OT-Ford Explorer Alternator

[G6 at Snook, TX]

I know some of the gents on this board are either professional mechanics or are close to the repair industry. I need some advice on a Bosch Alternator.

I replaced the original alternator on my wife's Ford Explorer about seven weeks ago, and now the replacement Bosch from NAPA is shot. Is Bosch good equipment? No? Or is there something aside from a dead or weak battery that can cause "alternator death"?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Bob Harvey]

Bosch is a long time high quality manufacturer in Germany. That being said, look on the box to see WHERE your unit was made ( probly Indonesia or some such). A couple of years ago I had a BMW and a pal (who works for BMW) got me a set of plug wires at his cost (a CONSIDERABLE saving for me). 2 out of 4 plug wires were NO good, and the Hi tension lead didn t even ohm meter. Much red facing by my pal and his boss. Made offshore. Got a replacement set made in Germany. HTH

 

[rlpintx]

Battery most likely but it could be wiring.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 02:55:15 05/09/12) I know some of the gents on this board are either professional mechanics or are close to the repair industry. I need some advice on a Bosch Alternator.

I replaced the original alternator on my wife's Ford Explorer about seven weeks ago, and now the replacement Bosch from NAPA is shot. Is Bosch good equipment? No? Or is there something aside from a dead or weak battery that can cause "alternator death"?

Thanks for the help.

Dunno what the issue is drop by for a battery load and alt test with a old Sun Battery/gen/alt tester... I find the new testers used miss border line bats,,, the best way to check a alt is load test it and check max amp out put...

Bosch,, It can be junk low bidder got the contract... Try a OEM reman the cost is probably the same are less I find that often across the board all car lines,,, I have read some ford aftermarket alts the regulator is not comparable with the original ... I have ran into it at least 1 time so called the dealer for a replacement and it never came back... At this time across the board I dunno what a GOOD replacement starter are a alt is,,, Its got to the point I get a defect are have to replace them before the tires hit the ground,,, installing 3 aftermarket starters seams to be the norm... If your bat is around 4/5 years old replace it,,, if it has a group 65 for sure they seam to not want to die and can cause unusual issues...

 

[G6 at Snook, TX]

The battery is a Duralast Gold I picked up last year in June. It tested good. I just found it odd that a new alternator would go bad so quickly, but they can be less than the best. I have to pull it today and they are going to max test the thing at NAPA and see if that is really the problem.

Thanks for the comments.

 

[Jubilee85 (VA)]

I had an old ford torino that had a hellava electrical problems.......my alternator was charging upwards of 15+ volts....battery was being cooked to death.....after 1 month of trying everything, found that the "ground" strap from the engine to the chassis and battery was frayed.....new ground wire helped the entire situation. Place an VOM on the battery and see if the alternator is charging in the 13.5 volt range or so.....

 

[lonestarjeff]

G6:

A few years ago, while going thru McKinney on my
way to the farm, the alternator on my F150 died
near a NAPA store. I decided to bite the bullet &
bought the "new" alternator instead of the reman
version. I don't think it was Bosch, but I don't
really remember. What I do remember is it died
after 2 years.

I was under the impression it had a lifetime
warranty(why else pay extra for it, right?) When I
took it in for my free replacement they informed
me it had only a 1 year warranty.

As you can imagine I pitched a fit. Long story
short they agreed to replace it w/ my choice of
another new or reman unit. But get this, they
would only warranty another new one for 1 year, as
apposed to the reman unit which has a 3 year
warranty.

Well, I don't get it, but I opted for the reman
version. It has already outlasted the new one.

Jeff