From reading and now from experience I believe everyone when they say Autozone alternators are crap. I've replaced 3 since January. I plan on buying a Mitsubishi OEM alternater before the current one goes out. But my wife thinks it's not the Autozone alternators it's something to do with the truck, and after we spend another $200 for the OEM one it's going to go out too.

Is there anything that could cause the alternators to go bad, or is it plain and simple the Autozone ones are crap and nothing on the truck could be causing the alternators to go bad?

Thanks,

 

Have you had the system checked? Any aftermarket electric add-ons on your system?

In my experience, alternators generally do not go bad that quickly or often unless there are other issues with the charging system/load.

Guess you could be a "bad batch" of rebuilds, but not likely.

Hope you figure it out. I am having my own alternator issues with an Eclipes right now.

Mike

 

No I haven't had the system checked. No aftermarket stuff added at all. It had the stock alternator on it from new in March of 01 till in January this year. Since then this is the third one I've put on.

 

Not sure where you are, but try a different store that gets their alternators from somewhere else, if you can. Another choice would be to find a local rebuilder and have them do it. They can usually do it in less than a day.

Get the system checked either way.

I was having issues with a 96 Eclipse that was only putting out 11.8 volts with a new alternator. Found out there is a fuse (120 amp) in the system that was blown. Charging great now.

Good luck!

Mike

 

How about the starter, Checked terminal positive ang negative for white stuff,battery is old and check selonoid (if your car has one)?

 

^^^how would a bad connection on a starter ruin an alternator. That just doesnt make sense.

 

I thought the alternator and Starter are pair
If the other one does not work both will not work. he has been changing the Alternator 3 times and the problem persist. So it is not the Alternator it is something else.

 

The fuse inline with the BAT wire to Alternator is good. The battery is brand new too. There is no corrosion anywhere on the truck. Everyone on here said DO NOT GET AN AUTOZONE alternator they are crap, but I did it anyway. That's why I'm asking could there possibly be something else beside the fact that Duralast alternators suck. Because I want to get an OEM Mitsubishi alternator (like everyone told me to do to start with) so we don't have to live in constant fear that it could go out at any time and leave us stranded.

I don't see how the starter could mess up the alternator either. The starter only gets power to start the truck doesn't it?

 

My 96 is having the same issues- it'll run at 11.8-12.0 volts but nothing more- the thing with mine is i have battery power to the alt.- i swapped alternators and same thing- could it be on the control side of the circuit? the schematics i have also suck so i can't tell where these wires are-is there another fuse somewhere? relay? fusible link? I'm baffled- wish i had OnDemand sometimes!