Alternator longevity?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
Alternator longevity?
I searched but couldn't find anything- how long are your alternators lasting? I got nearly 150k miles on a 98 and so far it seems fine. I'm thinking about buying a spare, just incase it craps out on me on a road trip...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Btw, I've got 155K+ on mine so far.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
Was that with a FWD car or a RWD car? I know the GM FWD cars, the alternators are buried in the back next to the engine and the fire wall, where it's really hot. Where as the LS1s the alternator is up high, towards the front.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
Both, and heat has little to do with brush wear. 150K on any alternator is a LONG time.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
How does heat have little to do with brush wear? Hotter temps = metal expands, not to mention heat cycling anything causes wear. This is my first domestic vehicle I've owned that I've put this many miles on. All my previous experiences with high mileage vehicles were imports (toyota, nissan) and their alternators lasted 200k+ before we got rid of the car...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
How does heat have little to do with brush wear? Hotter temps = metal expands, not to mention heat cycling anything causes wear. This is my first domestic vehicle I've owned that I've put this many miles on. All my previous experiences with high mileage vehicles were imports (toyota, nissan) and their alternators lasted 200k+ before we got rid of the car...
Actually the heat is going to be evil for the internal rectifier diodes and/or voltage regulator.
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