Replaced alternator with a rebuilt one about 2-1/2 years ago. Also replaced the starter/alternator/lower engine harness with a new one about 2 years ago. Charging worked well for over a year.
About two months ago the alternator light turned on. Checked the belt and connections. Could find no anomalies. The light turned off. A week later, the alternator light turned on again. Purchased another rebuilt alternator for $91 and installed it. The light turned off.
Yesterday morning the alternator light turned back on. Voltage while driving about 12.2 V. Parked car.
This morning the alternator light turned off after the vehicle started. Drove 20 miles. Checked and cleaned the ground strap from the battery to chassis, as well as the ground strap from the engine to the chassis. Replaced the serpentine belt. Confirmed that the started harness connector X27 was locked into position.
Started car and the alternator light turned on again. Battery voltage while driving was 12.02 when started and was 11.93 at 20 miles later.
Car starts normally. Has continuity between D+ (field) from alternator and pin 15 on connector A1 connector 1 into the instrument panel. Checked continuity between F3 and pin 1 on connector A1 (connector 1) into the instrument panel. Checked the starter/alternator/lower engine harness for damage and found that the exterior of the harness was intact.
Tough to believe that two rebuilt alternators have failed when the original alternator lasted 204K miles and the second 170K miles. I replaced the third with a rebuilt after 34K, and the fourth rebuilt has lasted 4K miles. I need to remove the fourth alternator and take it and the third alternators to an auto parts store to test both of them.
If these two alternators test OK, what else should I check in the car?
About two months ago the alternator light turned on. Checked the belt and connections. Could find no anomalies. The light turned off. A week later, the alternator light turned on again. Purchased another rebuilt alternator for $91 and installed it. The light turned off.
Yesterday morning the alternator light turned back on. Voltage while driving about 12.2 V. Parked car.
This morning the alternator light turned off after the vehicle started. Drove 20 miles. Checked and cleaned the ground strap from the battery to chassis, as well as the ground strap from the engine to the chassis. Replaced the serpentine belt. Confirmed that the started harness connector X27 was locked into position.
Started car and the alternator light turned on again. Battery voltage while driving was 12.02 when started and was 11.93 at 20 miles later.
Car starts normally. Has continuity between D+ (field) from alternator and pin 15 on connector A1 connector 1 into the instrument panel. Checked continuity between F3 and pin 1 on connector A1 (connector 1) into the instrument panel. Checked the starter/alternator/lower engine harness for damage and found that the exterior of the harness was intact.
Tough to believe that two rebuilt alternators have failed when the original alternator lasted 204K miles and the second 170K miles. I replaced the third with a rebuilt after 34K, and the fourth rebuilt has lasted 4K miles. I need to remove the fourth alternator and take it and the third alternators to an auto parts store to test both of them.
If these two alternators test OK, what else should I check in the car?