fastbackford351

The alternator on my 02 GT has taken a crap. Again. This will be the third alternator in as many years. It bums me out that the boneyards are chock-o-block full of FoMoCo alternators that won't fit on the Mustangs. Is there a quick & dirty rebuild secret ?


There has to be a cheaper alternative than running back to the parts house 2 months after the part is out of warranty. I got this last one from Ford and the 1 year warranty ended last month. Surprise.

Anybody?

fastbackford351

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shawaddy wadddy

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cliffyk

Further define "taken a crap", failed bearing(s), fields coils, stator, diodes, ???

If you buy from a FLAPS you will usually get a lifetime warranty, though if you go through too many in too short a time they will assert that there is something else wrong, and likely be right about that.

fastbackford351

Took a crap = it quit charging. The bearings don't feel whipped but beyond that, I dunno.

I have the Torque app on my Droid and I usually have it active every time I drive any distance and had it active Friday with no issues, reading 13.4V steady as a clock.

Got home and a couple hours later left to go downtown and whamo, Battery light is on the dash and my Torque app was reading 11.9 & dropping. The first alternator was the factory one as far as I know and the replacement I put in last year (13 months to the day), was a FoMoco remanufactured job with a 1 year warranty.

I have an ASE friend and he is able to get me a brand new with a lifetime warranty for $157, tax, tag & title out the door so I guess I'm kissing the baby.

Ugly baby.

cliffyk

13.5V is a bit low (the spec is 13.0V to 15.0V), make sure the battery connections, and the lead from the generator to the battery, are sound.

Here is the Charging System diagnosis and testing procedure from the shop manual.

fastbackford351

Thanks, Cliffy. You the man.