heavymg08
New Member
- Joined
- September 25, 2010
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- New England
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000 Mountaineer V6
Hello all;
First timer here. Fairly thorough archive search failed to shed light on my questions.
My Mountaineer has 236,000 miles and runs exceptionally well but the original alternator died two days ago (voltage test across clean battery terminals at idle showed 11 VDC). Being self employed with no time to rebuild the alternator or shop around, I bought and installed an OEM replacement from local Ford dealer, while at the same time I charged my 4 year old Motorcraft battery back up to 12 volts. For several reasons I now wonder if a dealer provided OEM alternator was the best choice.
First
I'm seeing only 13V across the battery terminals at idle, and I believe I should see minimum 13.5V. I believe my volt meter is working properly because it reads 1.5V when placed across a standard 1.5V AAA battery, and my Motorcraft battery tests 12V exactly with engine off.
Am I wrong to believe there shoud be minimum 13.5V across battery terminals at idle?
Second
I hear a slight whirring sound coming from the alternator, with the hood open. The sound is amplified in the cabin and it's annoying. But most of all it shouldn't be there on a brand new OEM alternator.
Am I wrong on this, too? Would like to hear opinons as to what's causing this soft whirring sound?
Third
A label stuck on the alternator body reads "Remanufactured". I didn't know this was a reman unit until I got home with it. I installed it anyway as I needed the truck to be up and running. The dealer wasn't able (or willing) to tell me who remanufactures their alternators. All he'd say is "they use all new parts".
What's been your personal experience with Ford OEM alternators.
Fourth
I paid $292! I justified the cost by reminding myself that I got 236,000 miles by scrupulous maintenance and use of quality (mostly OEM) parts when needed.
What's a good aftermarket alternator? How long has your aftermarket alternator lasted and does it work like it should without exception?
----------------------------------
Thanks for listening and thanks in advance for any and all responses.
First timer here. Fairly thorough archive search failed to shed light on my questions.
My Mountaineer has 236,000 miles and runs exceptionally well but the original alternator died two days ago (voltage test across clean battery terminals at idle showed 11 VDC). Being self employed with no time to rebuild the alternator or shop around, I bought and installed an OEM replacement from local Ford dealer, while at the same time I charged my 4 year old Motorcraft battery back up to 12 volts. For several reasons I now wonder if a dealer provided OEM alternator was the best choice.
First
I'm seeing only 13V across the battery terminals at idle, and I believe I should see minimum 13.5V. I believe my volt meter is working properly because it reads 1.5V when placed across a standard 1.5V AAA battery, and my Motorcraft battery tests 12V exactly with engine off.
Am I wrong to believe there shoud be minimum 13.5V across battery terminals at idle?
Second
I hear a slight whirring sound coming from the alternator, with the hood open. The sound is amplified in the cabin and it's annoying. But most of all it shouldn't be there on a brand new OEM alternator.
Am I wrong on this, too? Would like to hear opinons as to what's causing this soft whirring sound?
Third
A label stuck on the alternator body reads "Remanufactured". I didn't know this was a reman unit until I got home with it. I installed it anyway as I needed the truck to be up and running. The dealer wasn't able (or willing) to tell me who remanufactures their alternators. All he'd say is "they use all new parts".
What's been your personal experience with Ford OEM alternators.
Fourth
I paid $292! I justified the cost by reminding myself that I got 236,000 miles by scrupulous maintenance and use of quality (mostly OEM) parts when needed.
What's a good aftermarket alternator? How long has your aftermarket alternator lasted and does it work like it should without exception?
----------------------------------
Thanks for listening and thanks in advance for any and all responses.