View Full Version : Definition of a BAD Alternator
putergeek
07-26-2003, 10:56 PM
Now does anybody know or have an idea for me on why this would happen???
http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/alttwo.jpg
http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/altone.jpg
pgtatx
07-26-2003, 11:19 PM
Pretty...
I wonder if one of the brishes broke off and got wedged in there and just caused alot of friction...:shrug:
putergeek
07-26-2003, 11:22 PM
I don't know. But it got hot enough to mold the nut to the connector :crazy:
MaStaMooN
07-27-2003, 11:04 AM
Same Exact Thing Happened To My Alternator 8 months ago!!!
That bolt is supposed to hold the wire running from the alternator to the starter. Somehow it gets loose and starts arcing. After long enough, the arc actually welds part of the cable and the nut to the alternator post. Ford replaced mine underwarranty with no lip whatsoever.. Even with all my performance parts and 600+ wrms system, they did it. Im guessing its cuz they didnt want me to start asking "how the hell does this happen!"
putergeek
07-27-2003, 03:28 PM
Well Ford has already told me that they will not replace it under warranty b/c I cannot come up with my receipt. And supposedly they don't keep anything on file :bs:
BrantlyJ
07-28-2003, 12:59 AM
I would call them up again and talk to someone higher up. if you paid for it and got a computer generated reciept they have a record of it somewhere. Regardless of reciept there should still be a date code on the tag.
Good luck
JScullin
07-28-2003, 10:14 AM
All work on your car is kept in the dealers records under your VIN.
putergeek
07-28-2003, 02:36 PM
Originally posted by: JScullin
All work on your car is kept in the dealers records under your VIN.
See here is the kicker. I only purchased the alternator from Ford and then installed it myself. I wouldn't trust any of the stupid techs down at the local ford dealership. But they still should have a record of the purchase right?
Engeleip
07-29-2004, 09:31 PM
What I'd like to know is: how was the vehicle acting as this bolt was welding itself from the arching?
MaStaMooN
07-30-2004, 02:06 PM
I had this happen to mine also. Dealer covered it under warranty. What they told me is that the bolt that holds the wire onto the alt. starts comming loose, causing arcing and eventually just breaks the connector.
When this happend to my car, it would buck, the gauges and radio would constantly shut off and come back on and was just undriveable really.