3 Week Old Alternator Stopped Working? Let's find out why!

[@johnrpizzaguy]

Even after 39 years as a Master Tech, I was eating a little dinner and found myself watching the entire video, I always enjoy your work ethic to do the best job that you can do, simply because your reputation and your name is attached to the job, it’s how I work. In short I have nothing but respect for you and the message that you convey in your videos. Take care and thank you from San Luis Obispo,California.

[@JR-bj3uf]

The issue is when the customer refuses the work that you know it needs.

[@rustyrobinson8027]

What I like about your channel is there's no BS thanks 👍

[@wendwllhickey6426]

I buy from rock auto and get oe Alt and never a problem but you have to wait a day or two to get it

[@titaniumman_22]

Probably the most convenient alternator location I have ever seen!

[@hba1copqr699]

This is AMERICAN ENGINEERING 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@michaelszczys8316]

The first thing I noticed upon opening the hood is that the alternator is right up on top ' BUT ' I also noticed the belt only skims across the top of the pulley. Any time I saw a minimal contact set- up it was usually touchy. My mother in law had a Ford where the belt contacted only about a quarter of the pulley and she was always calling us on rainy days. It seems it would be rainy, she has the wipers on, the heater blower on, the headlights on , and the belt is possibly getting wet and losing grip plus the more the battery goes down, the more load on the alternator, the more it slips till you get a downhill run that takes it to the point of where it just shuts down because her car would shut off when the voltage got to a certain point. Most cars these days with serpentine belt the belt wraps 3/4 of the way around pulleys. Especially alternators.

[@TheArchiecat]

I always put a board or piece of wood under the part I’m drilling into so I don’t put a hole in the battery

[@benjamincresswell3713]

Hi Ken, FYI: The alternator may have burned up from charging a good battery that was run way down. Nowadays manufacturers use the PCM to control the rate of charge. That 05 Merc probably does not. Due mainly to cheating on the EPA city & Hiway tests for emissions and fuel economy, there is software keeping the alternator from dragging on the engine too heavily, which means the alternator doesn't put out max. I bought directly from a local rebuilder. He put a warning label right in the alternator box "Do Not Charge A Dead Battery." Doing so will void warranty. He said the components were cheap Chinese stuff and they wouldn't hold up to charging that much. Think back to when alternators first came out, they were only rated to put out 35 to 65amps, so if we jump started someone w/ a good battery just completely run down, it worked just fine. Today's alternators can make 200amps but the physical size is not even as big as old school which results in overheating. Just a little FYI. Thanks for showing your video. It helps me stay in "tune." ben/ michigan

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

You correct sir. Thanks for watching 🔧

[@JT-dx1qk]

I haven't found a good reman alternator , they're all junk. On a long trip , I always carry the tools to replace it if I'm running a reman

[@glennfields8121]

I really respect your honesty and dignity in your approach to all that you do! Another mechanic might have just done the same as was done before which may have possibly caused another failure in the not to distant future. A vehicle owner is "blessed'" if you are attending to their need. Great work my brother Kenny!

[@jthonn]

You are right about that Kenny, a bad connection can cause some crazy things and a weak battery can also. Nice job! These rebuilt alternators can have problems too. Anything from bad brushes or some that have the built in regulators right out of the box have issues. Back in the day, maybe they still do, you could buy the kit and rebuild them yourself. It was cheaper and easy to do. I won't elaborate too much, I had a troll a while back that picked my reply apart like quotes in the old style forums, so I deleted it.

[@SeanBZA]

You still get the spare parts, but the modern ones are hard to get apart. Best to go to a good rebuilder, and let them fix it, and test it to say the unit is working well.

[@ScorpionRegent]

I concur, corroded, oxidized and loose connections don't allow maximum flow of current both out of the battery to start the car or back in to recharge the battery. Ironically, they are one of the easiest things to check and maintain, but are very often neglected.

[@mikeries8549]

​@ScorpionRegent my daughters Taurus...fuel pump had 12 volts but was shorted where it got no amps. Put new pump in...no good. So I had to run a new wire. Rigged it basically. Stuff like that is hard to troubleshoot....very..

[@jthonn]

I had the same thing happen in an old volvo, with the stereo amplifier. It was mounted in the side of the trunk area. I installed a new amp, same problem. I ran a new wire from the battery all the way to the trunk, worked great. Connected to the power antenna to turn it on or off. What made me mad was I trashed the original amp and didn't have to.@@mikeries8549

[@scottlambert4077]

Thank you Kenny it always gets me here's a vehicle almost 20 years old and never gave you a problem now you're replacing everything twice reminds me of my Jeep

[@brettvaughn1058]

I had a Honda Valkyrie (motorcycle) died while riding. Towed home (5 hour episode). Charged it up and got to my shop on battery. No OEM part. Finally found a rebuilt one on internet, paid part and labor. Had the spec sheet that said checked good. A month later same event. Took it to another shop. He said rectifier was defective. Took rectifier off old alternator and put on new alternator. Running fine for 10 months. That one went bad. Put another alternator in. So took first alternator out, put another alternator in, took that one out put another one in, in 10 months time. Lots of towing, paid for 2 alternators and labor. Very frustrating but I also know how chasing down electrical issues can be a time consuming nightmare. Thanks for the video.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Wow! That's crazy. Ele trical issues are rough. Thanks for watching & keep wrenching 🔧

[@ricardomarmol1257]

Kenny. I have been watching your KZbin videos for quite some time. And I honestly say. You are an exceptionally one one kind honest real mechanic. I really appreciate your sincerity and good advice you are willing to give us on how to go about fixing our everyday Mechanical problems we have with our vehicles. I really appreciate and enjoy watching and learning things that you teach us. So keep on wrenching like you said . May God bless you and your beautiful family for a tremendous job you are doing. And making sounds so easy. But we all know it is not as easy as you make sound. Thanks 🙏 so much.

[@robertlacob8831]

Great advice Kenny as I have seen this over and over for people think it's a mechanics job to service/check batteries and cables every time they bring the vehicle in for an oil change! Half the time when you tell the customer about how much labor to clean a big mess they won't pay and let it go until it comes in on the hook!

[@richardgreene7198]

That negative terminal had corrosion in it too . Saw it at the copper strands sticking out . New alternators can't recover extreme low voltage conditions . I think their threshold is like 9 volts or so .Corrosion would cause a voltage drop . Liked your teminal fix ,just think the negative could have used more of your attention . I use a amp load at the end of cables to see if they can handle recquired loads . Cables can look good , but you put a load on them and they break down . Avoided changing out starters and alternators by just load testing cables . I have a 1000 amp load tester , so I can adjust to any load spec . Good way to test batteries too . I've had batteries setting pretty at 12.7 volts . Load them and they fall on their face . Success my good man . Think you are one of the best mechanics on youtube . There are some idiots on here .

[@timothyharrison8953]

I had an 1985 Escort purchased new. Around 1992 I started having charging problems. Changed out alternators, voltage regulators, and batteries regularly. I did it myself and due to military commitments, my wife had to have it fixed twice while I was deployed. The second time she was visiting family and her father said take it to Ford. It turned out both battery cables were corroded internally and was burning up the alternators. I never had another problem again

[@tobbex7372]

`Mornin? Don't forget Your fans in Europe. I have my late night beer and chilling right now.

[@curtisj2165]

Don't forget your fans in England 🇬🇧 either

[@christianw508]

Very good design for the alternator to have slotted holes like that for installation. Very satisfying to hear that "clunk" as the new one dropped in place. 6:33

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Love that sound 😁 thanks for watching 🔧

[@ScorpionRegent]

It's one of the few times an engineer designed a part as easy to replace. They probably justified the slots as a savings in materials.

[@JR-bj3uf]

I have a 1997 Ford F150. The GEM unit under the dash on the drivers side was making tapping noises, with the key off and causing intermittent issues with the driver's side window, dome light and wipers. I was bracing myself to pull it out and send it off for repair. Before I got into the dash I replaced the ground side terminal on the batter because it was half in two. That fixed it! It was a ground issue all along.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

I glad you were able to figure out the repair quickly. Plus, you get the satisfaction of doing the repair yourself. Win/win! Thanks for watching. Keep wrenching 🔧

[@ezcarpetandupholsterycare1548]

I LOVE UR BURTAL HONESTY

[@mod_incllc3235]

I noticed you didn't add any corrosion inhibitor to the battery terminals after your awesome cleaning and replacing job. I love the NOCO brand cleaner and protectant (separate products) Just wanted to share. Nic work as always!

[@ateamfan42]

I've had good luck with a film of dielectric grease to prevent corrosion.

[@robertcox5228]

It is a good day when I learn something and I always do watching your videos

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thank you! Keep wrenching 🔧

[@oxygen454]

When you poked that wiring harness, your meter read OUCH at 3:50 😂

[@michaelbolton2741]

I love a test instrument with a sense of humor! 😆

[@OverlandOne]

Another nice job Kenny. Too bad the 1st shop skipped cleaning the terminals. If they had cleaned them, maybe they would have noticed that rotted out + terminal.

[@bingochoice]

nice job Kenny, I'll never be a mechanic but I like to learn as much as I can about fixing cars, to save money and I just try to be as self reliant as possible..Your videos are a gold mine of information, thanks

[@thelikesofus324]

I've had my own experience of dodgy replacement alternators - for my Honda Civic, so many aftermarket spare parts are subpar from a quality perspective. Keep up the good work - you are my favourite car mechanic on youtube.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thank you for watching. Keep wrenching 🔧

[@appleimacdude]

I was very disappointed that the last alternator of my 99 Mustang six, auto - a genuine Motorcraft rebuilt, installed by a Ford dealer - only lasted 4 years! And that was an $800 repair bill! Ford claimed they only re-use the case of the alternator IF it is still in good shape.

[@ronhansen6506]

I doubt the corrosion had caused the alternator to fail, but good job on the repair. Aftermarket alternator is a crapshoot for sure. There is a good reason a cheap replacement part is cheap.

[@mod_incllc3235]

Love all the videos! Look forward to something new everyday!

[@TurnThemWheels]

Great diagnostic and repair!

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: Good call on the battery posts. I like to clean the battery terminals first. I pay the extra for the "lifetime guarantee" . The sad thing is about every other one either does not charge out of the box or dies in a week. I have not found a good source for replacement regulators with the brush packs for the Ford alternators to repair them right in the shop.

[@danielsellers8538]

It's 4oclock in the morning in the UK 🇬🇧 😅 but enjoying the videos

[@MikeMcAuliffe-g2f]

Good repair on that battery end. I always add a small dab of copper oxidation preventative when I have copper parts that mate on a battery end just so the connection stays reliable longer.

[@matthewtatarian147]

Nice terminal fix. Conductive grease helps prevent corrosion

[@donald4416]

My question to you kenny why didn't you clean both terminals first and positive-negative wire then reattach and started it Re-checked for current flow if alt was bad then I would called for replacement alternator ( Seems you skipped step) I'm just going by what I see in video

[@toast3111]

Can we appreciate the irony in how he said you don't need to go crazy tight when tightening the negative terminal despite using a small impact on the positive earlier?

[@MikeKrause-s5c]

I've noticed that he likes to make things up as he goes along and is always slamming other mechanics.

[@robertbaldwin1583]

I have a truck that you can work on I been watching your videos for a while now and you seem like you know what you are talking about.

[@Grumpy-sy7wr]

Nice work Kenny. In the land Down Under, where I am, many suppliers take a different attitude on warranty for electrical items. First train of thought is "Something else is wrong with the vehicle, and chewed out the item". You then purchase another, they send the claim item back to the manufacturer, who then test it, and if found to be their fault, refund the purchase of the replacement. It gets messy.

[@papatomsthoughts]

Suggest battery terminal cleaner, I noticed some corrosion on negative terminal also. They have some good spray cleaners for hard to get places, not to replace the wire brush cleaners. You are most likely correct on bad terminal providing amp issues back to alternator. Good video

[@toyotatim2521]

Boiling water is as good as any terminal cleaner

[@stever1053]

Boiling water with a bit of bicarbonate of soda in it works good, rinse off and apply vaseline to terminals.

[@ldenorio]

i had an alternator die in NC on the way to FL, got it replaced, part was from autozone, 4 hrs later we were back on the road, the alternator lasted 30 minutes. I mostly get oem parts, but when you are out of state on a saturday, you get what you can get.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

That must have been terrible. Thanks for sharing. Keep wrenching 🔧

[@stagggerlee]

Great video! There was some green on the negative cable, too...

[@garya9875]

Great job Kenny.

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank s. Key chime never has trouble. Have you ever had to repair a key chime. LOL

[@JP-uu2rw]

LOL 15:17. you are not positive?, but the battery is. I got a real charge out of watching this while alternating between the video and the comments, No negative vibes here. good content . I feel grounded once again

[@philspear73]

Nice job Kenny! A suggestion, get either a tripod for your phone or a wearable GoPro so we can see you even when things require two hands.

[@ScorpionRegent]

Or a gooseneck clamp.

[@debbievogel2957]

Great video Kenny very informative

[@torque350hp]

Yeah battery terminals can be deceptive from the top. You really just gotta take them off and check the mating surfaces now and then.

[@paulputnam2305]

The Kenny University’s Absolutely Fantastically Awesome! Thank You!

[@kenjohnson5124]

3:40 The bulb going off means that the bulb just burned out or the voltage has equalized across the bulb meaning some charge is arriving at the battery but maybe not adequate for all conditions. Had a 2006 Pacifica where the light would come on after starting and go off a bit later. Also happened to me with a 2007 Grand Caravan. The alternator was failing, probably the electromagnet brushes due to mileage and can leave a customer stranded. Better to pop on a good alternator as “power is everything” as the famous engineer who helped get Apollo 13 crew back safely!😊

[@Justiceincorporated.]

Keep wrenching Kenny. Well done

[@daviderwin1213]

Good work. Yes, corrosion on my TJs battery connection caused false 02 heater codes. Good advice!

[@mikkolempinen2717]

That thick red cable needs double insulation. Many fires start when insulation gets rubbed off and it starts arcing to ground

[@kevinoverholtzer3126]

it was amazing that you were able to drill the whole with out drilling into anything else or drilling into your hand you got some dexterity.

[@dondownriver3464]

I agree I clean my battery terminals once a year reguardless no issues the past 17 years

[@infinity3jif]

My type of car it's simple and fairly easy to work on, love my 08 Crown Vic PI

[@ravedge7042]

Don't apologize....you're a working man that is juggling jobs that gives really good advice and has the experience to back it up. Keep up the great work! Personally I would just say, Men don't multitask well...(well that's what my wife always tells me) :)

[@dean9498]

It's great how you mention to be "mindful " of what your doing,drilling the hole right above the battery. I can totally see someone drilling a hole in the battery...some folks lack common sense...

[@Sctronic209]

Thanks Kenny, great content as always.

[@ronwade2206]

Alternators from Car Quest are junk, batter cables are always suspicious to me but I "did" automotive electrical professionally.

[@steverandall5814]

I have a '98 Mercury Grand Marquis with the same engine and alternator set up. These cars (actually all '98 Fords with this engine) are notorious for bad alternator grounds. The ground to the engine is through the alternator case and onto the engine block. As the block rusts, that grounding connection weakens, and the electricity takes the next path of least resistance. This can result in weird things like heater cores rotting out because the coolant has a small electrical charge (this happened to 8 of the 15 1998 F-150s we had at work). To solve this, I ran a heavy black cable from the upper alternator bolt over to the negative cable of the battery based on our auto shop's advice. It's been 6 years and 75,000 miles and I haven't had a single electrical problem with that car. I hope this helps someone.

[@bobby9195]

Good afternoon Mr Kenny hope y'all had a wonderful day, not being a know it all or anything but if interested the covering on the wires was called loom lol 😆 it always rots away mainly near heat sources,makes all the wiring harnesses look pretty though 😁

[@kennethhowell1272]

It's amazing how folks neglect their battery terminals, then wonder why they have issues. About once a year I clean the battery terminals (with the brush type cleaner) then apply a very light coat of Vaseline to the terminals and snug the clamps down just til the clamp won't turn. Very rarely have issues related to the battery using this procedure.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Old school works best. Keep wrenching 🔧

[@ScorpionRegent]

Once a year is good. It wouldn't hurt to check them every time you check your fluids, so no surprises.

[@edgarmojica6145]

Great video 👍

[@THEDRAGONBOOSTER8]

Some good pointers..

[@hankrambo5705]

Good watching you

[@LesReeves]

I check all terminals under the bonnet(aussie) on a weekly check of fluids (oil/coolant/brake fluid transmission fluid /washer bottle).

[@zx8401ztv]

I like the neat way you fixed the battery post, Neat and much better than it was. Sometimes the case of the alternator does not make a good enough low resistance to the chassis. Even recon alternators painted may not ground at all. It sounds like i'm joking but it does happen.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

You're 100% correct. Thanks for watching. Keep wrenching 🔧

[@DaveBigDawg]

Excellent 👍

[@swan9680]

Every details worth learning! Thanks!

[@grumpysgarage4790]

Like that cable repair. Do you have a part number or the source of those terminal ends ?

[@ScorpionRegent]

Cutting the positive terminal was a cringe moment for me. I've had, two batteries blow up in my face. So, when I say, avoid anything involving sparks around a battery, I have my reasons. I'm not saying it will happen, but knowing from experience that it can is enough. Anytime the alternator is replaced the battery should be charged and tested, it prevents comebacks. Alternators are designed to charge back what was drained from a single start up, not charge a dead battery. This is something else I learned from experience. I jump started a car and drove it four hours on a freeway. The alternator provided enough charge to keep the engine running, but when I stopped for lunch, the battery was still dead. Luckily an autoparts store was right there and the battery was still under warranty.

[@curtishill6490]

This is very common. Towing I heard it all the time. I just had the alternator fixed. MADE IN MEXICO!

[@greggc8088]

Ole voltage drop test freaks some people out but sure is an easy way to save time. Good find.

[@Ottos_ScLm_Race_videos_2009_on]

One thing I was told If the battery goes bad or is dead. Don't change the Alternator and have a bad or dead battery or it will kill the new Alternator. When I first saw an old battery that is what I thought a bad battery.

[@on-site4094]

Especially rebuild alternator from Mexico. Come with lifetime warranty but it’s hit & miss 1 out 3 last about week

[@ruley73]

A bad connection at the battery terminals can definitely cause weird anomalies. These newer vehicles with a current/battery sensor are even more vulnerable to this because the weak connection directly affects the reading the sensor reports to the rest of the system. In this case I would've even tried cleaning up the terminals first to see if the alternator would've started charging again, but you're not really out anything since the alternator was still under warranty. Q/C definitely seems to to have gotten worse in the last decade or so as it pertains to alternators & starters from the big box parts stores.

[@indyguy3400]

100 percent agree. I've even seen bad battery's cause bad output from an alternator that's good. I always put a good known battery just to check. Most people let a battery go way to long. Batteries in the midwest just don't last from extreme hot and cold. If you get 5 years from a battery replace it, I dint care if they say it's a 96 month rated battery, very few out here last that long

[@spelunkerd]

As you say, I'd be wondering why this failed. The corrosion at the battery is way more than a normal battery would produce in 6 months, and voltage drop in the main alternator wire could force the alternator to work overtime to achieve a target that can't be reached. It's hard to believe the previous mechanic didn't fix that corrosion the first time. After all, he had to remove at least one wire from the battery to do the swap. If the dead alternator isn't pumping electrons, all the voltage drops will level out when you test. But at least he should have measured voltage drop after the new alternator was installed, and maybe tested the battery too. Perhaps the battery is leaking down overnight, and the alternator has to start from scratch again every day. No wonder the customer went to a second shop.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

It's amazing how poor some other shops are . No pride in their work

[@kenchorney2724]

I like the mounting design from an ease of service standpoint but that belt sure doesn't have much wrap on the alternator pulley.

[@jthonn]

Yep that is one you can get to. Some cars you have to half way dismantle to change it. Some I think it would be easier to pull the engine, we can thank the engineers for that.

[@michaelbolton2741]

30 degrees if that much, of its circumference? Worrisome.

[@michaelbolton2741]

"I have a fever...and the only prescription...is more SPLIT-LOOM TUBING!" -- Seen on a ham-radio forum regarding wiring management in a vehicle 😆 Yes, bad connections, bad wiring, and bad components make for a bad day. We see a blood sacrifice at 11:01 . Be careful, there. It'd have been my luck to drill right into the battery, so I would have used a block of wood under the cable end if the cable would've had enough slack. I too am curious as to who paid the bill on this one. IMHO, Advance Auto should have, it was their part. 💥

[@robertdiehl9003]

Very enjoyable video. Lots to learn...

[@mitchellmullins9411]

Has to be the easiest alternator i've ever seen put on anything , Give Ford a at -a-boy for that one

[@dotancohen]

3:50 Did the Fluke just say OUCH?

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Snap On multi meter said OUCH 😂 Thanks for watching. Keep wrenching 🔧

[@lowbudgetbob1155]

Those maintenance type batteries always make a mess...I wish they didn't make them anymore. If the battery hold down breaks or they don't get put back on, the battery jiggles and the acid always finds a way out then you have a mess.

[@timkis64]

what ticks me off is when they have a run of bad fuel pumps.they allways fail with 3/4 of a tank or greater in them.the crazy part is.someone probably ran it low all the time & burned up the original pump.

[@AwesomenessIskey]

A rebuilt alternator is only as good as who rebuilds it. I use a local guy who is cheaper than local part stores but better quality

[@rustybumperclassics6342]

I had a bad alternator out of the box, actually had a short in it. Almost burned down my whole harness. 🤦‍♂️

[@OldManTinkers]

Thanks Kenny, When you say you road test everything How long of a drive do you go on?

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

I go about 4 miles for a test drive to feel a car out. Keep wrenching 🔧

[@StephenTooker]

Would have liked it if you load tested the battery for the customer

[@frankiem749]

Ironically I just replaced both my battery terminals yesterday. My negative terminal was cracked and breaking apart causing a crank no start issue. Which doesn't help a starter issue of it not engaging with the flex plate half the time. Already tried shimming it but no matter how it's shimmed it still grinds, bangs, whims, and clanks. I probably now have to drop the trans to replace the flex plate. The starter is less than two months old as the previous starter exploded (cracked case).

[@Wookie312]

The other alternator was probably ok. The bad + terminal was probably the whole issue.

[@marcjacobs3987]

I had the problem with not charching the battery in my former VW Golf II GTI. Evntually we found out that te cable between the alternater an battery was heavily corroded

[@wendwllhickey6426]

That's why you get a factory one otherwise you have to constantly replace them .even a junk yard one is better.

[@campermike8879]

1986 1/2 Nissan Factory alt went out after 19 years and nearly 200K bat light never came on. Good bulb 2006 For F350 at work Alt went out. Another failed Carquest. No gauge light never cam on Person driving it found out when the dash lit up like a Xmas tree

[@jimamizzi1]

That’s got to be the easiest alternator swap ever, seen lot of videos on this problem with new ones, what is the issue with them

[@timr31908]

I should have clean post first.. high Resistance can smoke an alternator

[@philipwhant1014]

That would have to be the easiest altinator change i have ever seen

[@rickbearup9514]

Wow, wouldn't it be cool if every part on a car changed out like this. Ford got it right on that one.

[@Scooter30FTW]

Wait,does cutting and drilling copper create sparks? I know sparks around a car battery can turn out really bad.

[@brucecampbell3062]

Try dipping posts in a glass of coke cola. Cleans corrosion in minutes

[@Law_Abiding_Citizen_ok]

“Am I Positive” 😂😂😂😂

[@c.e.anderson558]

Can you still unhook the positive battery cable to see if alternator is working? And used to be able to check if back of alt is magnetized.

[@davidcraven277]

That's not a good idea with a all the module's they mite get spiked

[@rabbit73au]

I would have put a block of wood underneath when I drilled the holes for the battery terminal

[@williamkelley7654]

Aftermarket parts quality is getting terrible. I try to buy OEM whenever possible.

[@michaelknorr6825]

The alternator May have been good. A battery is the first thing id check, including connection.