lets talk alternators
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
lets talk alternators
1. Am I the only one out there repairing his own alternators?
2. What are the common causes for alternator failure that you are seeing?
3. Do you have problems getting quality parts?
4. Is heat a factor in your alternator usage?
2. What are the common causes for alternator failure that you are seeing?
3. Do you have problems getting quality parts?
4. Is heat a factor in your alternator usage?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Ohio
Quite possibly. The last time I wanted to rebuild an Alt the diode trio was $35.00 and a reman unit was $40.00. Shortly after that Holley carb kits went from $15.00 to $40.00 or more for the same cardboard. (now where did I put that soapbox?)
Age, Grunge, Heat and crappy components.... in that order.
...or any parts at all for a reasonable price!
Usage?...no.
A decent Alt should easily be able to handle the heat under the hood... at least when compared to all of the other items under there that can get heat-soaked and break down over time. Under normal usage, I would suspect that grunge accelerating wear on the commutator coupled with the added stress placed on the electronics that comes with age to be the main culprits. That and crappy components.
2. What are the common causes for alternator failure that you are seeing?
3. Do you have problems getting quality parts?
4. Is heat a factor in your alternator usage?
A decent Alt should easily be able to handle the heat under the hood... at least when compared to all of the other items under there that can get heat-soaked and break down over time. Under normal usage, I would suspect that grunge accelerating wear on the commutator coupled with the added stress placed on the electronics that comes with age to be the main culprits. That and crappy components.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
my alternator gets so hot, that the diodes break and fail, the solder melts on the connections, and the diode boards are no good.
The plastic insulator on the battery connection gets soft with that much heat, and the nut tension relaxes, and the voltage regulator terminal gets so hot, the plastic housing melts on the voltage regulator.
Of course it's 114 outside, and the car outside temp indicator reads 119 degrees.
The slip rings are always smooth and brush holders are the throwaway parts that never need replacing cause the high current end of the alternator burns up before those two can wear.
There is no grunge in the alternator, they don't last long enough to accumulate any, dust maybe............
I am repairing an alternator every summer. I have 3 incase I eat 2 in a summer.
The plastic insulator on the battery connection gets soft with that much heat, and the nut tension relaxes, and the voltage regulator terminal gets so hot, the plastic housing melts on the voltage regulator.
Of course it's 114 outside, and the car outside temp indicator reads 119 degrees.
The slip rings are always smooth and brush holders are the throwaway parts that never need replacing cause the high current end of the alternator burns up before those two can wear.
There is no grunge in the alternator, they don't last long enough to accumulate any, dust maybe............
I am repairing an alternator every summer. I have 3 incase I eat 2 in a summer.
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Aug 6, 2009 at 07:39 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,149
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
Interesting! That's something I never considered before. But the cars I was driving weren't special either, so parts were cheap. There is a super good electric motor & alt. re-builder here and he'll get my business if the Vette ever needs special component care.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
It's easy to do your own.
A rebuilt CIS alternator is $125 with a 2 year warranty at autozone, but the rebuild kit is $45.
Comes with bearings, brushes, diode board, silicone heat transfer paste, and 5 pages of instructions.
I bought the rear alternator housing from Sumit Racing with the cooling fins on the back.
Hoping this will help dissipate the heat.
Starters are easy to do as well.
A rebuilt CIS alternator is $125 with a 2 year warranty at autozone, but the rebuild kit is $45.
Comes with bearings, brushes, diode board, silicone heat transfer paste, and 5 pages of instructions.
I bought the rear alternator housing from Sumit Racing with the cooling fins on the back.
Hoping this will help dissipate the heat.
Starters are easy to do as well.
