Help- Alternator Crapped Out

[Lazzman]

The Alternator in my '98 V6 sohc died yesterday while I was on the highway. Anyone know what the napa replacement part or model is for my alternator?

I don't know if it is 95 amp or 130 amp w/ internal regulator or not.

Any help I'd be much abliged.

 

[jp450]

NAPA should have the part number for you. On my 99 everything was internal. Called them up and they had a rebuild in stock. New from the dealer was about $300. NAPA's rebuild was half that.

 

[Lazzman]

I think it is the 130 amp alternator. They have 5 different models on there web site thats why I am confused.

My ford parts book states that the 97-98 sohc takes a 130 amp model with no regulator.

 

[aldive]

You can use either the 95 or 130 amp unit; I would get the 130.

They have an internal regulator

How do you know the alternator failed?.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The auto parts store should be able to test your alternator for free. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty on remanufactured alternators, and starters. Did you try to start your vehicle, and test the voltage with a voltmeter?

 

[celly]

The Alternator in my '98 V6 sohc died yesterday while I was on the highway. Anyone know what the napa replacement part or model is for my alternator?

I don't know if it is 95 amp or 130 amp w/ internal regulator or not.

Any help I'd be much abliged.

Sorry Lazz I can't help, but man, you and your luck! It's freaky.

 

[Lazzman]

Yup dumb luck I think. The truck has 142mi on it with most everything original.

I was driving down the highway in this rainy typhoon like weather with the radio on, defroster, lights and back and front windshield wipers.

I noticed that the gauge was well below half, it has been that way for quite some time now. I kept driving till I got to my destination 30mi away. On the return trip I noticed that the gauge was almost in the bottom red.

As I kept driving my tach went out, then the heater stopped blowing, my ABS light came on. After a few more miles, the Air bag light came on and all the other lights, the truck started bucking and bogging, the windows wouldnt go down and the heater did not work.

I was able to get it off the side of the highway though to a McDonalds parking lot.

 

[BrooklynBay]

This once happened to me with a Grand Am. I had a booster pack that I attached to the battery. It had enough charge to make it home. I drove with the booster pack under the hood attached to the battery.

 

[Lazzman]

Al, I know the alternator went because it was not putting juice back into my Motorcraft heavy duty battery. With 143k mi I think its safe to say this alternator has had it.

What is the size of the nut that holds the pulley on the alternator? I'm sure Aldive knows.

 

[aldive]

15/16

 

[Green98XLT]

It's 130amp and is in fact internally regulated even though the regulator is actually mounted externally on the back of the SRE frame. With that high mileage I'd say it's done. Make sure you charge your battery back up to a MIN of 12.6VDC before you install the new alternator.... they will run themselves to death trying to charge a dead battery.