What Could Have Caused an Alternator to go bad so soon?

[Learning]

Hi,

I had a brand new alternator and battery replaced about 1.5 years ago, but the alternator is not charging now according to a test done by a AAA personal. He jump started my car and as soon as he disconnected the battery charger from my car's battery, my car started to shake and then the engine stopped running. He said the alternator wasn't charging.

What factors could have caused the alternator to go bad so soon?
I'm told an alternator should last as long as 5 years or even more.

Please shed a light.

Thank you.

[FLG]

What brand alternator? New? Rebuilt?

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[Learning]

I believe the mechanic told me he installed a new rebuilt alternator 1.5 years ago as a totally brand new alternator is much more expensive and uncommon.

[FLG]

Could just been a cheaply rebuilt unit. Bosch? Or other brand?

Some rebuilt units are done good, others are done on the cheap. There's nothing in particular that would cause a alt to go bad. Assuming its not being over worked due to a bad battery or you have some kind of killer aftermarket audio stuff...its probably just a cheap rebuild or a fluke.


Bring it to the mechanic...he might be able to work something out with the parts warehouse who he deals with and get you another one due to this on failing so quickly. Generally they don't warentee electrical parts but its possible he can get a discount or replacement.

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[Learning]

It's a Bosch.
I thought Bosch was a good brand.

[idanity]

i got a bosche from a local auto parts store for about 100, and the 1st one went bad in a week..replaced for free, now (5 months later) it is barely charging, just at 13.v and not normal 14.4v so, i think mine is going out (again) too...

maybe there was a bad batch of them ?
maybe they started using crap parts ?

all i know is there is a lifetime warranty on bosche parts from my local auto parts store, and your mechanic should also have a similar (at least a year or 2) warranty.

if not, maybe its time to replace it yourself with one that does have a lifetime warranty.
its odd, that my 88 yota trucks altenator is original, and has over 350k miles (odometer actually stopped at 350k) and it still works...its been whining for years, but still charges...maybe i should figure a way to use a toyota alt ...

[reelizmpro]

hmmm check the voltage regulator? In 20 years, I've never had to change a bad alternator in an E30 and I've had a few. Belts, brackets, ground cables and voltage regulator brushes go bad but never the alternator itself. Or maybe I've been lucky?

[MF DOOM]

Add a ground from alt. to chassis

[Learning]

I remember well my mechanic connected a thick ground wire from alternator to engine block.

[Exodus_2pt0]

I remember well my mechanic connected a thick ground wire from alternator to engine block.

That won't really do much... Since the alternator is bolted to a bracket, bolted to the block.

You need to ground the engine out, I replaced the oil pan to body ground, and added another from my intake manifold to strut tower. It's worth a shot.

[MF DOOM]

Add one directly from your alt to the chassis. I was running two grounds from engine block to chassis and my alt wasnt charging. added a ground on the alt. and problem was solved. The ground wire cost me 12 bucks at napa

[Balleristic31]

Make sure your belt is aligned correctly and not wiping out the alternator bearings. Mine did that and I toasted a new Bosch in about a year.