Battery light, warm air alternator

[dmltml]

I searched the forum and didn't see this problem although I am sure I am not the first guy to have this issue. I was driving one day with the A/C and the head unit cut off, the Batter light came one, then the more I drove more lights came on, ABS etc. Finally the car died. I replace the alternator the next morning and all was good. Then a few days later, the battery light comes back on. I had the alternator tested, not at proper voltage at idle, over charging at high RPM (which by the way clipped the head unit and made it reset a few times). So new alternator. I also had the AC system evacuated and recharged this weekend. So today going to work, the best coldest air every, no battery light. On the way home the dang batter light is bright red, the A/C eventually dies and the abs light comes on when I stop. The battery test good but is 3 years old. Not sure if I have a compressor problem or if the alternators I am getting are too low end and the heat is frying the regulator or what. A side note the mechanic thought my AC clutch was sticking and was an issue. Not sure how this would relate to blowing alternators but it might be a piece of the puzzle. Help 1995 ATX 79K.

 

[93markVIII]

reman alternators? or new ones?
remans are terrible, and getting 3-4-5 bad alts in a row is a typical experience.

 

[rubydist]

I agree. The ONLY alternator that I found would last is the NAPA lifetime warranty one. Any other rebuilt would last less than 400 days, sometimes no time at all. Some guys have also reported good results with a local rebuild shop (one that has been in business for many years and uses quality components.)

 

[dmltml]

ya Rebuilds and not NAPA. Didn't buy it at the right place because I was tight on time, but here we are...

 

[msteiny]

I bought mine off ebay 4 years ago. no problems, yet.

 

[dmltml]

Update. On my way to the autoparts store to have my alternator tested (it failed), my AC Clutch started to disintegrate. Loud noise, burning smell, metal shavings etc. Could this clutch problem have been the reason I killed 3 straight alternators? If so why?

 

[sperold]

The A/C issue did not do any harm to your alternator.