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alternator problems
I have a general question about alternators. I have had the same daily driver a 1986 El Camino since 1991. Back in the early 90s my first alternator failed. I bought a AutoZone lifetime warranty alternator. They seem to last about 6 years, but replacements are free. My last alternator worked fine once you hit 2,000 RPM the first time. After that, even at idle it ran 13.5 volts. As it aged it got to the point I had to hit 2,500 RPM to get the alternator to start to charge.
I swapped the alternator which only takes 20 minutes and the new one is really strange. Sometimes is charges sometimes it does not. Yesterday going to lunch it did not charge. On the way back it was fine. This morning on the way to work it jumped to 13 volts after startup. Half way to work it stopped charging.
I double checked the grounds last night. The battery is one week old. Obviously a part time alternator is not acceptable. Should I just go demand yet another alternator or it there something I am missing?
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Glen
49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America
1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan
1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine
My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood!
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