Alternator problem.

[Forder]

Hey guys, good to be back, I haven't been on the site for years. Anyways, my X's alternator decided to start making some very annoying squeals and such after 200,000 miles/15 years, you'd think they'd make these things better, eh? My question is; am I going to have to replace the whole unit, or can I just replace the bearing and pulley piece on the alternator? Also, if I need to replace the whole alternator; how can I tell if I have a 95 amp or 130 amp one? It's an XLT with the tow package (tranny cooler and trailer hook-up) so I assume the 130 amp (they did offer two different alternators from the factory, right?)? Thanks for any help in advance!!

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Not sure about replacing the whole unit, or just the bearing/pully, but I'd go ahead and replace the whole thing if you have the money. I had a 95 amp installed on mine, and when I replaced it I went up to the 130 amp because I plan on running a lot of stuff in the near future. I think all Explorer's came with a 95 amp alternator, UNLESS you got a Limited or Eddie Bauer edition, cause those came with heated seats, memory seats, heated mirrors, and a few other factory options.

 

[Willard]

I wouldn't even try to replace just the bearings. Replace the whole thing.

I opened mine up to see about rebuilding it and once I got in there I noticed the stator and some other stuff was worn beyond repair. So I said forget it and replaced the alternator. Easier, and better assurance it will keep going alright for me.

 

[Forder]

Yeah, I figured as much, myself. Thanks for the input, guys. But just one more question; where would you suggest me getting a new one? A rebuilt one should be fine, right? Thanks again!

 

[Willard]

Yea, you should be fine with a rebuilt, haven't had any problems with mine so far. Just hit up the local parts store, for stock applications it doesn't matter as far as I'm concerned.

 

[wood1]

Brooklyn Bay has a link on rebuilding alternators I think. They are fairly easy to fix, I would put new bearings and brushes in and save your money. Just my opinion.

 

[Forder]

Brooklyn Bay has a link on rebuilding alternators I think. They are fairly easy to fix, I would put new bearings and brushes in and save your money. Just my opinion.

Yeah, I would prefer to just do that since it actually seems to still function normally otherwise as far as keeping my battery charged and running the electronics. It might be too soon to judge that though since it just started doing it the last few days and hasn't gave my battery a chance to die yet. I'll call around and see what parts I can find. Thanks again, guys.

 

[BrooklynBay]

My thread is in the Technician Forum section. It's also # 57 in my list of useful threads: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1722521#post1722521. I rebuilt the alternator on my 89 a while back when I made that thread. Most of the time, the problem is usually with the brushes. I've rebuilt other ones which had a blown out rotor. If you decide to rebuild it yourself, then buy new brushes, and bearings since the bearings are making noise. My alternator bearing broke as I was driving, and caused the alternator to seize. That was some terrible noise! The belt got chewed up, and the engine stalled. I disconnected what was left of the belt, and connected my generator which was in the back to my electrical system. I had no power steering, and was afraid of overheating, but I did manage to get home that night.

 

[Forder]

My thread is in the Technician Forum section. I rebuilt the alternator on my 89 a while back when I made that thread. Most of the time, the problem is usually with the brushes. I've rebuilt other ones which had a blown out rotor. If you decide to rebuild it yourself, then buy new brushes, and bearings since the bearings are making noise. My alternator bearing broke as I was driving, and caused the alternator to seize. That was some terrible noise! The belt got chewed up, and the engine stalled. I disconnected what was left of the belt, and connected my generator which was in the back to my electrical system. I had no power steering, and was afraid of overheating, but I did manage to get home that night.

Damn, that's crazy. That's kind of what sounds like might happen to me if I keep driving it for much longer. It was just a moderately noisy high-pitched squeal to start with for a few days, now the last couple days it's evolved to a lower pitched harder vibrating sqauling that I can actually feel in the steering wheel and I can't cover up with the radio, which is the deciding factor that I'm going to fix it, haha. Guess I'll be driving the wife's Altima til I ge the parts. Thanks a lot, Brook. I'll search for your write-up.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The link is in the above post (# 8). Don't keep driving with the noise like I did. As a result, I had to replace the rotor, belt, and a few other parts (not to mention being stranded at night).

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

I bought my alternator new off of ebay. Ended up being a Motorcraft part as well.

http://myworld.ebay.com/dbelectrical/

That's the guy I bought mine from, shipped at normal speed, and it went right on. Didn't have to do anything special as far as the wiring harness, matched up PERFECTLY.

 

[Forder]

I bought my alternator new off of ebay. Ended up being a Motorcraft part as well.

http://myworld.ebay.com/dbelectrical/

That's the guy I bought mine from, shipped at normal speed, and it went right on. Didn't have to do anything special as far as the wiring harness, matched up PERFECTLY.

Sweet, thanks for the link, Blacksheep. $95 seems pretty good considering he's got a 1 year warranty and he'll verify I have the right pulley for my truck before he ships. Just out of curiosity, what can I do with my old Alternator? Is it worth anything to anyone (to re-build)?

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could rebuild it, and save it as a spare. Some places sell remanufactured alternators with a lifetime warranty, but they cost a little more than a regular rebuilt unit with a year warranty.

 

[Forder]

Yeah, I would definitely like to rip it apart and re-build it myself if possible. I just wanted to make sure there was nothing else I could do with it before I most likely destroy it even further, heh. Thanks again, Brooklyn, and the rest of you guys. This forum rocks and I'm gonna start hoverin around the boards a lot more often now. Army had me brainwashed for a bit and made me forget about this place..

 

[BrooklynBay]

Keep in mind that the auto parts stores take your old one unless you decide to pay the core charge.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

That is true. The store I bought from ebay, doesn't charge a core charge. You might be able to find a place that rebuilds alternators, and maybe just sell your to for some cash. Never know. Mine is still rolling around my floor in my back seat, I'm at college so I have no where else for it, lol. I've thought about making it into a piggy bank with some modification. Like stripping the internals and glassing it in... who knows.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I have a project for you. I once took an old Ford alternator apart. I think it was a 35 amp model, and made it into a servo motor. I originally saw the plans in a magazine when I was a kid. It is 3 phase with a common, so it moves a notch in a certain direction depending upon which wire gets power first. You could make a controller for it. I originally wanted to make a controller, and connect it to a joystick, then connect it to a rack & pinion to be able to steer with a joystick. This was a project when I was a teenager. The output of the alternator wasn't strong enough to move the rack in my opinion, so I didn't go further with the project.

 

[medicbro2000]

G-zus - Brooklyn Bay is quite the helpful guy- That will be #1 on MY useful things to know list :-D

Sounds like you are pretty squared away with your alternator problem by now. I know one thing for me especially- if you have an alternator with that many miles of use on it, chances are there is probably a lot more worn out than just the bearing. Besides, how much of a nightmare is pulling out the pully and bearing... :thumbdwn: Depending on how busy the thing has been the inside components can go too. Since the alternator is nothing but a big elecromagnet those little brushes inside can wear down and then you aren't conducting any electricity. Sometimes if you find you are having some electrical problems - like a dying battery etc... give your alternator a sniff and if she stinks like burnt electrical (we all know what that smells like) then chances are she is done.

I would definetly go for the 130 myself. It just so happens I am going through this repair for myself. Had to change the battery and since I am running so many extra lights and equipment, boosted her up to the bigger alternator. Make sure you get a good enought battery to go with it if you do. Got to have a "decent size pair".

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[BrooklynBay]

This link has a lot of useful information: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/alternator.htm/printable