[copester]

I have a 99 Eldorado that I replaced the alternator in the fall of 09 with a lifetime warranty re-manufactured one. I had another one go out 2 months ago and now it is acting up again. Do I have some other problem leading to them going out or just having crappy luck with parts?

 

[Submariner409]

Hard shot to call - some members have had bad luck with alternators from chain stores, regardless of the warranty.

If you still have an old unit, have it overhauled by a local shop.

Welcome aboard !!!!:thumbsup:

 

[Ranger]

When it comes to alternators, reman & lifetime warranty = trouble. Just my feelings on it, but that and A/C compressors are two places I'd stick with OEM.

 

[nascartamike]

I had an 'on and off' alternator light for a couple of months before I changed it out with a Duralast Gold. I've never had a problem since. Replacing the alternator isn't quick or easy but you can do it in a day. I recommend disconnecting a lifting (NOT removing) the radiator. It will make it 10 times easier to get to the bolts on the alternator.

 

[N*Caddy]

You are not the first one with replacement alternator issues.
My second alternator lasted only 10 months (or less than 15K). That's how long it took to wear out the brushes.
It was supposedly OEM brand new. Replaced yet again and this new one (the third alternator) works fine since over 2 years ago or ~50K.

Caution when pouring oil into the engine, everything that spills goes straight into the alternator.

 

[copester]

Thanks guys for the replies. It is just frustrating and time consuming. I hate having a car I can't trust and it has sucked me dry over the past few months. I had the return line break on the overflow, then split a seem in the radiator a few weeks later, then blew the heater core a few weeks later, then the water pump went out a few weeks after that. Then a few weeks later the alternator went out only being a little over a year old and now again 2 months later. Seems to be a pattern. lol
It only had 135k miles on it. My first Caddy, I thought it would be quite a while down the road before all these issues.

 

[zonie77]

You can have a bad connection or broken wire in the harness. I would look close to the alternator and see if the wires seem OK at the plugs. The Caddy alternator is a pain to change (compared to one on top of the engine) and the wires can get twisted and yanked more than they should be.

 

[pocketpared]

Define "acting up".

 

[copester]

By acting up I mean it will show a charge of 14.8 for a few miles, the go to not charging the battery for a few miles and then to 13.2 for a while then back up to 14 then drop to 12.5 and then not charging again. All in a 10 mile trip to work.

 

[Racer704]

I am 5 alt. in on my 97 ETC..The 1st one was a overhaul by a local shop on my original GM. That was at 97,000..that lasted a few years and about 25,000,had it replaced with a Napa new lifetime replacement and its been 4 since then and the last 3000 miles ago and I have 175,000. When this goes i am going to get a refund and buy a new Delco from the dealer..I might even have them put it on as they have a lifetime parts and labor..its just that they get 5 hours at 95.00 to do it...

I would also look over all your grounds and make sure your battery connection are clean. The positive I would split the piggy back connector and make sure its clean also...Good Luck

 

[stoveguyy]

sounds like my problem. charge/no charge. turns out it was the sense wire going into alternator. it was broke at plug internally. got a new plug and spliced in wires and works fine now. the wire needs to be secured or tied to something so it does not flex or move due to the air blast. its right next to the cooling fan so it gets lots of buffeting.

 

[Racer704]

Glad to here its fixed and it was a simple wire repair,although not always simple in any case to chase down ....