burnt alternator (rant)

[40th GT]

My car has 2050 miles and the alternator is burnt. Anyone know what might've been the cause..? It might be the Sylvania cool blue bulbs I got recently but that wouldn't burn up an alternator would it? I am just pissed right now. The battery light came on whenever the revs are above 2100rpms and I found out that the alternator and the wire right on top of it is toasted. There was battery acid all over the metal ring on the end of the wire. Amazingly, the battery isn't dead yet but I won't be driving the car until I get it fixed. The dealer better fix it for free. I'm going to put in the OEM lightbulbs and the stock shifter just in case.

End of rant

 

[n0v8or]

It's not the headlight bulbs; the wiring to each is protected by a 10A fuse. Total headlamp current could not have exceeded 20A or you would have blown a fuse.

The alternator is supposed to protect itself from overcurrent, so I'm thinking your alternator voltage regulator failed. This module, mounted inside the alternator, has had a high failure rate for years.

Good idea to restore the original parts; no use giving the dealer opportunities for dumb excuses to deny your claim.

I would demand a new battery as well as a new alternator.

 

[40th GT]

The alternator is supposed to protect itself from overcurrent, so I'm thinking your alternator voltage regulator failed. This module, mounted inside the alternator, has had a high failure rate for years.

Very interesting...I never knew that. It just sucks to have a blown alternator after 2050 miles of owning my car.

 

[Dan_Soprano]

Yeah a guy in my club has a turboed 5.0. at a dyno day this year he toasted his alternator first pull!!! It was the voltage regulator.

 

[crazystang05]

just had that problem but i have a 98 GT with 49k on it so no more warrent and a ford alternator is 400 bucks. BS. and labor. I would so do it your self. if its not under warrenty its so easy