I had to put a new alternator in about 1 month ago. Strapped for time I had to buy a Autozone Duralast rebuilt alterator. It lasted exactly 1 month, then the battery light came on, it was reading 13.5 acrossed the battery terminals with or without the engine running.
I went to Autozone and got another alternator. It did not sound that great it made some kind of clicking sound. It sounded like it was coming from the bearing area. I put it in anyway, it works fine, it now reads 15.3v with the engine running. But I have been noticing my lights dimming randomly and my AC fan seems to surge now. Do you think I have another bad alternator or could it be some other problem?
I am starting to think that Autozone Alternators are complete junk. I opened the first one before i returned it, and the brush assembly was rubbing on the spindle, you could see something was wrong. Now I am stuck with the Autozone alternator unless I want to lose my core.
15.3V is a little high, should be around 12.5V engine not running and not a lot more then 14.5V with engine running, sounds like a voltage regulator problem, I would return the alt. to Autozone for warranty, pay the diff. and get a new alt.:idea:94
If your battery reads above 12.5 while not running then battery has a serious problem, usually 6 cells of 2.1V i think or something like that.
If battery is shot then your charging system may be overused by the battery being shorted into its internals, then a draw in current like your AC fan starting will make your light dim because your battery will take all thats left of the alternator current.
The battery is brand new from Costco, I read it with a meter when I got it at 13.5V I don’t know why but it was higher then 12V. When the car is running it gets about 15.3 which seems like the alternator is working fine. But I never had this problem with surging before until I put my 2nd Vatozone alternator in. Being as the 1st one lasted only 1 month, I am guessing that they just re manufacture crap alternators.
The only company that sells a new alternator for my car is NSA has does anyone have any opinions on those?
I took back my 2nd Autozone alternator for a full refund and bought a Denso Alternator off amazon for $132. My car runs like a champ now. It idles smoother has better pickup, no dimming problems. I guess I learned a lession not to use Autozone parts.