Bloodvette

99 vette convertible. With typical usage. Assuming the standard size alternator, how many miles would I expect to get out of my alternator before replacement? Reason I ask is I got the charge system fault a few times. Battery is 1yr old. Connections are good at battery, alternator, and starter solenoid. I know there's always some early failures and some may go to 200,000 miles trouble free, but pall park life is what I'm wondering. Regardless, I will remove it and take it in to get checked next chance.

Thanks,
J

3boystoys

All the GM's I've had over the years the alternator was good 80-100K miles. Usually the regulator went 1st.

racebum

i think denso is who makes the c5 alt. if i'm right the alternator should go a long long time. early gm alternators were lucky to make it 80-100k miles. denso alts more commonly found in hondas have roughly a 250k mile service life

bearings would be my guess on what would fail first.

Evil-Twin

Your Alternator is made IN France by a company called Valeo. its a 110 amp unit with a dedicated circuit which communicates specifically with the PCM, reading rotational date and the switch from gen to alternator.,.. if that is the original Valeo 110 , you do not want to let it go... get it rebuilt if it is found to be defective. If it is not a Valeo then that is your problem.

AS far as life expectancy, I have several members tell me their alternator is going strong with 14 years of service and 300K on the clock. Personally mine is 14 years old and had 90K on the clock.

Vetteman Jack

That is good info, E-T.

Maxx_Z06

My regulator went bad at 87k miles. Replaced the alternator with a reman from ac-delco.

racebum

what's the deal with the 110 and 150 amp units? notice delco lists both for c5 fitment

jrprich

99 C5 coupe 88k, 15 years on my OEM Alt.
I have had a few random charge system fault notices but they only show once and then go away. Battery seems happy.................so far.

Ohyoufan

I have my original alternator on my 99' with 97,000 miles. It's been underdriven 25% for the last 10,000 miles as well.

Choreo

Surprised there is not a Forum Vendor or someone nationally that specializes in rebuilding Corvette Alternators (at least as a side business). I have a 2001 Valeo I need rebuilt and there is nobody locally that I would trust. I guess the rebuilts from parts stores are so cheap that there is just no incentive?

FiberglassFan

about 175K miles, and its the best part of the electrical system! Many other electical items have failed, some many times over. When the main computer failed, I had to not only pay for a new one, but for the install of my Dyno tuned engine/trans map. THAT one hurt$

So far so good with the alternator!