05+ Alternator Failures

[tmcolegr]

Please take this thread as an FYI – nothing more, nothing less. It is not meant to promote the Ford alternator, PA Performance alternator or any other alternator for that matter.

As we all know the OEM alternator will eventually fail most likely resulting in a P0340 DTC. This has been well documented by Ford and addressed by several TSBs. However, what some dealers don’t know is that merely ordering a replacement alternator by application does not resolve the problem. The part number does not automatically get superseded to the latest part number – 7R3Z-10346-B. Unless the latest TSB is followed and the latest alternator is installed the replacement will still fail in the same way the original alternator failed.

I have installed several of the latest alternator and have not had one failure. Some have been in service for 40,000+ miles.

Moral to the story: If your taking your vehicle in for an alternator replacement, warranty or not, be sure to have the latest TSB in hand or chances are you won’t get the latest/greatest alternator. If ordering an alternator across the parts counter, be sure to order the alternator by part number – NOT BY APPLICATION or chances are you will get the same alternator you took off which will eventually fail again.

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[don_w]

Post #1 edited to include TSB in pdf format

 

[scramblr]

So is the part number on the alternator? I had mine replaced a few months ago and am getting ready to pull it for the S/C install. Good time to check for p/n.

 

[tmcolegr]

So is the part number on the alternator? I had mine replaced a few months ago and am getting ready to pull it for the S/C install. Good time to check for p/n.

If I remember correctly there is a number on the alternator housing but I don't believe it's the actual part number of the alternator. Look at your invoice it should give you the part number that was installed.

 

[cheftjpeck]

what if its an alternator from an 07 gt.....are there any of the same issues with that model as well?? I dont ahve the alternator in my hand yet to tell you a number..but I bought it from hotairgypsy and it is from an 07...anything on that year etc??

 

[tmcolegr]

Some early production 07s could have the old alternator. I have not seen any 07s with the new alt. have a failure.

 

[tom281]

This is very interesting as my car has thrown the 0340 code for the last couple of days. Reading the forums, it seems that the problem is indeed the alternator whereas I've also been told that it is the sensor related to the code that is going bad because of the alternator. Using my Aeroforce gauges, I know that my car is charging constantly at ~14 volts however I have not tested output amperage.

I hate the thought of buying another Ford alternator.....

 

[ZmanM3]

This is very interesting as my car has thrown the 0340 code for the last couple of days. Reading the forums, it seems that the problem is indeed the alternator whereas I've also been told that it is the sensor related to the code that is going bad because of the alternator. Using my Aeroforce gauges, I know that my car is charging constantly at ~14 volts however I have not tested output amperage.

I hate the thought of buying another Ford alternator.....

Go PA FTW!

 

[tmcolegr]

I have installed several of the latest alternator and have not had one failure. Some have been in service for 40,000+ miles.

I felt it was appropriate to dig up this old thread and correct a statement I made which at the time I felt was accurate. Such is no longer the case.

As I mentioned in this thread and several others, I have never seen one of the latest part number (7R3Z-10346-B) alternators fail.

Today I say my first. My wife's 06 had it's first alternator failure at 8,883 miles. The alternator was replaced under warranty with the latest part # per the TSB. Today that alternator failed at 16,525 miles - 7642 miles later. It failed with the same P0340 code as do all the other previous part # alternators.

So now the vehicle is 3 weeks out of warranty and I get the privilege of paying for alternator #3.

Good news is Ford has finally started offering them in Reman - part # 7R3Z-10346-BRM.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

If I remember correctly Ford wants $330.00 + a $75.00 core charge for the remanufactured altermator. Hawgman found this place on ebay that sells them for $129.95
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories


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[tmcolegr]

I paid $246 plus a $75 core which I will get back.

 

[Thereaper]

What's the average mileage that the factory altenators usually fail?

 

[tmcolegr]

Most of the ones I have seen fail at less than 10,000 miles

 

[MexGT]

my stock alternator failed @ 15K miles

 

[Thereaper]

I've got 30k and it's still working so I guess I will change it.

 

[tmcolegr]

Change it.....

I'd bronze it!! I've never seen an original one last that long - only replacements.

 

[thump_rrr]

Change it.....

I'd bronze it!! I've never seen an original one last that long - only replacements.

My original went over 35,000 miles before it failed.

 

[GT John]

Change it.....

I'd bronze it!! I've never seen an original one last that long - only replacements.

Thanks for the information.

My car has 56000 miles on the original alt. I see a new alt install coming at any time...........

 

[94tbird]

my stocker has been going for 48k plus miles without fail

 

[firestang70]

3.5 years and 41k on original alt and battery. (still knocking on wood) To the Op thanks for the info.