Alternator Failure.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Middle Tennessee
Alternator Failure.
I have a 1997 F-150 with 95,000 miles. I bought the truck new. I replaced the battery about 4 months ago. When I left work last Thursday night the battery light came on. I was still showing 12+ volts on the gauge. I had about 5 miles to go so I turned off all unnecessary electrical devices. After about 2 miles the volt gauge took a drastic and sudden drop to below 8 volts. I dumped the dash lights and the head lights using the parking lights only as I only had a couple of miles to go. One mile from home she died. I coasted to a stop not completely off the road. This is a two lane country road. With no battery the flashers did not work. I elected to walk home and get the wife and cell phone and return. Called a towing service and had it taken to the local ford dealer. They diagnosed a defective alternator. Total replacement cost for a rebuilt alternator including towing was a tad under $500.00.
My question. What is the normal life expectancy of a Ford alternator? Is this something that should be replaced every 5 years or so? I have never had an alternator failure such as I had last week on any other vehicle. In the days of generators that was a different story. Frequent brush failure was common. I once had a 1969 F-150 with a noisy alternator. I removed it and replaced the bearings and installed new brushes. Never had any more problems.
I realize my options would have been different had I made it home. I could have charged the battery and replaced or repaired the alternator myself probably for a lot less. But as I was stuck beside the road I did not have a lot of choices. Thanks for letting me vent.
My question. What is the normal life expectancy of a Ford alternator? Is this something that should be replaced every 5 years or so? I have never had an alternator failure such as I had last week on any other vehicle. In the days of generators that was a different story. Frequent brush failure was common. I once had a 1969 F-150 with a noisy alternator. I removed it and replaced the bearings and installed new brushes. Never had any more problems.
I realize my options would have been different had I made it home. I could have charged the battery and replaced or repaired the alternator myself probably for a lot less. But as I was stuck beside the road I did not have a lot of choices. Thanks for letting me vent.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16
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From: Middle Tennessee
So far everything seems to be working correctly with the replacement alternator in place. So I assume the alternator had failed. I replaced the belt about 6 months ago as a precautionary measure and all other belt driven devices (AC, Water pump, etc.) appear to be working.
Don Coatney
Don Coatney