Hey I've been having trouble with alternators since I rebuilt my engine back in 2009. I don't know what kills them but the average lifespan for an alternator in my car since then is about 2 months. After it goes, it usually starts cooking the alternator cable I suppose due to overcharging or something. I bought one of those high amp ones from American Muscle for 255 dollars and it went too. The symptoms are squeaking when it's cold started (until it warms to normal) and my volts jump down. I tested it and my tester said bad alternator but oddly enough my battery light has yet to come on and my battery was dead today. Personally I think the heat from the engine is killing them, either that or the torque when I shift - Shift kits have more pressure on shifts than Manuals or stock autos; I used to break the stock belt tensioner from 1-2 (had to buy the thumprr racing tensioner) not to mention I've ripped an alternator pulley off the shaft on a 1-2 shift with a cheap ebay alternator before - A side note, I ran the alternator cable straight to the battery from the alternator but it really didn't make a difference and there is a 1 year old optima red top battery installed.

What are your thoughts?

 

Buy an OEM spec alternator!

/thread

 

Oh I have. I said they have an average lifespan of 2 months. That means I've gone through Motorcraft, Duralast, aftermarket expensive, aftermarket cheap. They all failed the same despite the brand.

 

Well now that I was reading about the PA performance alternator that I'm using, it says I should be using 4 gauge wire due to the increased amperage. I'll warranty this one out and upgrade to 4 gauge and see if it helps.

 

I had two PA's fail on me
Good luck