Alternator died at 136k miles

[swiss200]

It died today and the car has been towed to the garage where it can heal..



Is this normal wear for the amount of miles ? Are there other things that might be worth to replace so that we don't get surprises like this ?

The car got towed two weeks ago because the wipers somehow ended in a knot during heavy rain so any advise on preventive maintenance is really appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[kcjaz]

I preventively replaced my alt at 150K as part of an overall "rebaseline" project that snowballed after discovering a radiator hose leak. My alt was actually fine. I did take it to a rebuilt shop with the intent of rebuilding it and keeping for a spare but they inspected it and said there was nothing wrong.

There are some posts here regarding alternator failures usually between low 100s and 200K. The solenoid fails more than the actual starter but the solenoid is attached to the starter motor. I had just thought about carrying a spare in the truck allowing a "field replacement" if necessary but the location of it makes it a serious PITA and a "field repair" would be a long day, especially if you never replaced one on a 200.

Here is my 150K mile PM thread where I started with essentially your question above and then went insane replacing stuff.

 

[kcjaz]

I just watched the video. It looks like they drove the LC onto the flatbed. How did they start it? Wondering if they used “the long screwdriver“ method.

 

[gaijin]

I just watched the video. It looks like they drove the LC onto the flatbed. How did they start it? Wondering if they used “the long screwdriver“ method.

Excellent question! And, if they could drive it onto the flatbed, why couldn't OP drive it to the dealer?

 

[1world1love]

I just watched the video. It looks like they drove the LC onto the flatbed. How did they start it? Wondering if they used “the long screwdriver“ method.

Are there videos or manuals on the long screwdriver method? One of my biggest fears is being out 40 miles from the nearest paved road with my family and having my starter go.

 

[kcjaz]

Are there videos or manuals on the long screwdriver method? One of my biggest fears is being out 40 miles from the nearest paved road with my family and having my starter go.

I haven’t found any videos just discussions on the topic here.

Actually the OPs problem was the alternator not the starter. Somehow my brain switch to starter when I watch the vid. I’m sure what they did was jump start which would let the truck run for a while drawing down the battery.

apparently the coffee hadn’t fully kicked in when I asked the question.

 

[1world1love]

I haven’t found any videos just discussions on the topic here.

Actually the OPs problem was the alternator not the starter. Somehow my brain switch to starter when I watch the vid. I’m sure what they did was jump start which would let the truck run for a while drawing down the battery.

apparently the coffee hadn’t fully kicked in when I asked the question.

Ha. Yeah, I knew his was an alternator but I took the opportunity to derail the thread completely since you brought up the screwdriver

 

[gaijin]

... apparently the coffee hadn’t fully kicked in when I asked the question.

And it was contagious - oops!

 

[TeCKis300]

Excellent question! And, if they could drive it onto the flatbed, why couldn't OP drive it to the dealer?

I know you know this and probably thinking starter since that's the common failure on the 200-series - limited run-time without a working alternator. Don't want to stall en-route.

I do wonder if an alternator would be a regulator failure like is common on European vehicles. And could just swap out a regulator. Or is it built in and internal to the alternator and/or it's another type of fault requiring wholesale replacement? Mudlovers might know? @tbisaacs

 

[gaijin]

I know you know this and probably thinking starter since that's the common failure on the 200-series

Thank you, Captain Obvious - read my post immediately preceding yours.

 

[TeCKis300]

Have your coffee yet this morning? Many that participate in this forum haven't been along for the conversations and don't have the same level of understanding, so let's leave another one ambiguous then...

 

[GordJ]

Don’t fight guys, this isn’t a Dodge forum after all. Lol

 

[Hatteras]

Is this normal wear for the amount of miles ? Are there other things that might be worth to replace so that we don't get surprises like this ?

From what I’ve read on this forum, it’s unusual (but not unheard of) for an alternator to fail with those miles, unless it’s been driven in muddy water.
Starters and radiators seem to need replacement, though a newer radiator part number may have addressed the radiator problem. The older style radiator will start to seep through a crack that forms in a very specific and visible location. Starter may fail without any warning.

 

[tbisaacs]

I’ve had the pleasure of buying two alternators. The first died of natural causes - the second was strangled to death with mud. The second got me 100 miles until every possible warning light was on and the truck sputtered to sleep.

@TeCKis300 I honestly don’t know. I wonder if Denso has a part number for just the regulator.

 

[razzyrazz]

Thank you, Captain Obvious - read my post immediately preceding yours.

The messages were 8 minutes apart so it's very possible he was reading the thread and replying during that window, with your reply not even showing for him. I'm probably being "Captain Obvious" too right?

 

[bigredmachine]

How did they start it? Wondering if they used “the long screwdriver“ method.

i dont think that theres even enough room to use the screwdriver method for the starter, especially if all of the heat shielding is still installed. i think that your pretty ambitious to even try for a field replacement on the starter, even replacing it on the lift isnt great.

 

[TWillz]

Mine gave up the ghost at 135,000 and I haven't really had it in the mud (yet). I'm sure all the salt and road chemicals used in northern IL during the winter probably didn't help it much. Was a pretty inexpensive repair and went ahead and had the serpentine belt done while they were in there for a few bucks more.

 

[swiss200]

I preventively replaced my alt at 150K as part of an overall "rebaseline" project that snowballed after discovering a radiator hose leak. My alt was actually fine. I did take it to a rebuilt shop with the intent of rebuilding it and keeping for a spare but they inspected it and said there was nothing wrong.

There are some posts here regarding alternator failures usually between low 100s and 200K. The solenoid fails more than the actual starter but the solenoid is attached to the starter motor. I had just thought about carrying a spare in the truck allowing a "field replacement" if necessary but the location of it makes it a serious PITA and a "field repair" would be a long day, especially if you never replaced one on a 200.

Here is my 150K mile PM thread where I started with essentially your question above and then went insane replacing stuff.

Wow that is a long list. I'm going to take that with me during my next visit at the dealer.

Thanks!

 

[swiss200]

Excellent question! And, if they could drive it onto the flatbed, why couldn't OP drive it to the dealer?

I assume they jump-started it because my wife told me she could get the car running. But why does it keep running when the alternator is dead. My wife made this video as I wasn't at home so we'll never know.

 

[swiss200]

I’ve had the pleasure of buying two alternators. The first died of natural causes - the second was strangled to death with mud. The second got me 100 miles until every possible warning light was on and the truck sputtered to sleep.

@TeCKis300 I honestly don’t know. I wonder if Denso has a part number for just the regulator.

So I noticed that the voltage dial on the dashboard is almost touching the 14v now whereas before it was a few mm before it. Maybe that was an indicator that the alternator was becoming less effective due to age ?