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When they die Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Rule of thumb as to when alternators generally die?, cuppa, Wed, 12 Feb 2003 21:33:50 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
This is like asking, 'how long should a clutch last'? or 'how long should I live?" A clutch can last the life of the car, or use it badly, and it'll die in 2K miles. How long will you live? You should live 70 years, but you could live longer or die tomorrow. Do you have life insurance? Do you realize that's a bet, where you're betting your going to die sooner, and the insurance company's betting you die later? No guarantees.
First, alternators rarely die. Brushes wear out, as they are moving parts. 80K miles is reasonable for brushes, but I've seen them go 150K. Since the brushes are built into the voltage regulator, usually you replace the voltage regulator and get the brushes for free.
About only two things can go wrong with the alternator itself. Either the bearings go, or one or more diodes in the diode pack. With properly tensioned belts, the alternator bearings should go the life of the car, althoug some will fail sooner. Mis-tension the belts, and you can chew through alternator bearings in a few thousand miles. Now, you've got to REALLY screw up the tension, but it can be done.
Diodes don't usually fail, but they do. I've had one diode failure in about 800K miles of driving.
Replacing a voltage regulator on a 900 is a piece of cake - take you about 15 minutes, and that includes finding the tools. Replacing an alternator isn't very hard, as it's sitting up in the air for all to see. You can buy a quality rebuilt 115A alternator for about $120- $140 after core charge from most of the advertisers on this BB. From a dealer, assume $400 for the exact same part, and $75-$100 in labor. From a good independent, assume $300 parts (same part!), $75 labor.
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