Alternator Died

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:52 pm

140,000 miles, so I can't complain. Just wish there was some indication sooner.

Charging system light came on at the same time as the Electronic Throttle control light came on. About 10 minutes later the ABS light came on, then slowly all the lights started to flicker. Shut off everything I could and I got another 10 miles before I felt as if the voltage would get so low the ECU would stop functioning.

Last night I parked it at a strip mall lot and called my son to pick me up. Took the battery home and recharged so today I could drive it home.

Denso alternators are sold out except at IDParts, NAPA can get me a rebuilt one Friday for about half the price so I'll try that first.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 1:05 pm

Prior to your alternators death did you notice anything like flickering or dimming headlights?

Mine would intermittently cause flickering lights and occasional dimming when letting off the throttle. I have replaced it with a good used alternator and it seems to be functioning perfectly although it will probably need a new pulley.
I intend to disassemble the original one, inspect it, replace the regulator, and hopefully make it fully functional again.

geordi · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:07 pm

Yeah, I would eat the core charge if I had it to do over - the Denso Japanese alternators are just so much better built than the Chinese knockoffs that are rebuilt by child labor in Mexico for the auto parts stores.

You might get *some* decent performance out of them, but it won't match up to the lifespan of the original.

Hexus · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:26 pm

I had to have mine rebuilt at an AC/Delco store in Cincinnati about 5 years ago. Running terribly strong ever since.

Of course, that was back when they were $500.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:41 pm

Hexus wrote:

I had to have mine rebuilt at an AC/Delco store in Cincinnati about 5 years ago. Running terribly strong ever since.

Of course, that was back when they were $500.

How much are they now?

pjigar · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:41 pm

I bought my last rebuilt alternator from Autozone. I kept the original alternator. I will put a new Littens OAD pulley in the OEM alternator. I will swap the OEM back in at next 100K service. Rinse and repeat.

pjigar · **Posted:** Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:42 pm

I think I paid $200 + tax including the core charge.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2016 9:44 am

What is the best alternator to buy for these Jeeps?

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2016 10:12 am

I successfully repaired my original alternator by installing a new Litens pulley and replacing the voltage regulator and brushes.

flash7210 wrote:

Prior to your alternators death did you notice anything like flickering or dimming headlights?

Mine would intermittently cause flickering lights and occasional dimming when letting off the throttle. I have replaced it with a good used alternator and it seems to be functioning perfectly although it will probably need a new pulley.
I intend to disassemble the original one, inspect it, replace the regulator, and hopefully make it fully functional again.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2016 11:20 am

I recently had to replace my OEM alternator when it died! It gave NO early warning signs, it just died while I was headed home from a road trip to a neighboring town. Dash light warning light suddenly came on! I shut down every electrical item I could and ran on the battery for ~20 miles. When I got home and cut it off, it would not even click, measured voltage with a meter, it was down to about 8.5 volts. It ran at this voltage, but at idle, it sounded real strange!!! :roll:

I got a replacement from Autozone, Part Number: 15457 ~$146, it looked identical to the OEM Denso unit and I believe looking at the markings on the case it is a remanufactured Denso unit. Of course I do not know what the internals looked like as I did not open it up! The Autozone unit did come with a new correct override pulley and they were nice enough to let me remove and keep my fairly new Litens pulley off the exchange core when turning it in.... :wink:

Another plus, alternator comes with a lifetime warranty, so if it were to ever fail again, free replacement... :BANANA:

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2016 3:50 pm

WWDiesel wrote:

I recently had to replace my OEM alternator when it died! It gave NO early warning signs, it just died while I was headed home from a road trip to a neighboring town. Dash light warning light suddenly came on! I shut down every electrical item I could and ran on the battery for ~20 miles. When I got home and cut it off, it would not even click, measured voltage with a meter, it was down to about 8.5 volts. It ran at this voltage, but at idle, it sounded real strange!!! :roll:

I got a replacement from Autozone, Part Number: 15457 ~$146, it looked identical to the OEM Denso unit and I believe looking at the markings on the case it is a remanufactured Denso unit. Of course I do not know what the internals looked like as I did not open it up! The Autozone unit did come with a new correct override pulley and they were nice enough to let me remove and keep my fairly new Litens pulley off the exchange core when turning it in.... :wink:

Another plus, alternator comes with a lifetime warranty, so if it were to ever fail again, free replacement... :BANANA:

An Autozone alternator is what I have now. From previous experience I have alwats preached - Stay away from Autozone electrical parts especially. Their lifetime warranty gaurantees you will be changing the part regularly for the rest of your life.

I'm really sorry I bought this now. But I am going to install another in the hopes that I get a good one this time.

I'd rather buy a quality part and just get my money back. Haven't sen anybody recommend a quality alternator yet.

Hate these jeeps. The old GNT400's I knew what parts were good and which were. And people posted up about what they had success with.

I know there has to be a thread here someplace that has an alternator recommendation in it, Danged if I could find it

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2016 4:07 pm

To me changing one is a non issue.
I can change one in less than 15 minutes using air tools.
I have had very good luck with Autozone electrical parts...
So far never had one of their electrical parts fail on the Jeep!!! :wink:

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Sat Nov 19, 2016 7:39 am

WWDiesel wrote:

To me changing one is a non issue.
I can change one in less than 15 minutes using air tools.
I have had very good luck with Autozone electrical parts...
So far never had one of their electrical parts fail on the Jeep!!! :wink:

How many years and how many miles have you got on those Autozone parts?

I've heard people claim they got a good part and then found out it lasted them 3 years but they only put on 20,000 miles or so

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Nov 19, 2016 12:16 pm

jrsavoie wrote:

How many years and how many miles have you got on those Autozone parts?
I've heard people claim they got a good part and then found out it lasted them 3 years but they only put on 20,000 miles or so

Not a huge amount of miles, but some parts are older than 3 years! I also have 2 Dodge 4x4's, one a diesel, and the other a gasser and they both have some Autozone replacement parts on them much older with no issues!
Autozone alternator on gasser is approaching 7 years in age.

Unfortunately in this day and age, quality parts are getting harder and harder to come by!

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Sat Nov 19, 2016 2:33 pm

We don't have anything that does not get a lot miles - except the Jeep because it's always broke>

I've heard a lot of horror stories about Autozone parts and have plenty of my own before I quit using them for the most part.

It takes me about 1 1/2 hours to go get parts so convenience is not an issue>

Had a 97 gas Suburban that went through 3 Autozone alternators before I said, Just give me my money back. I had already bought and installed an AC Delco.

The only reason I went Autozone that time was because my daughter broke down in the parking lot adjacent to Autozone. I was glad they were open on New Years Day.

We have about 300,000 miles plus on all of our vehicles. We put some miles on. A good quality part that lasts is worth more to me than a warranty I have to use more often than I should

Alternator Died

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