Alternator OEM FORD or GENERAL MOTORS

The OEM alternator is only 55 amps and costs nearly $400, which is stupid expensive and wholly inadequate for off-road lighting, audio amplifiers, and other additional accessories so I decided to go with the CS130D GM alternator, purchased for under $100 new (no core charge) and has a 130 amp capacity.

I'm getting 14.8v from the upgraded alternator at 700rpm and maintaining 14.2v when every possible accessory and light is turned on at idle.

OEM. I've had to warranty and eat so much labor from faulty auto parts store starters and alternators it's unreal. They cost more, but I rarely have an issue with OEM.

I had lots of issues with a ‘96 4.6 Cobra. Back and forth between battery, alternator issues. Maybe, six months between issues. Finally replaced the alternator with new, not reman and changed the battery at the same time. That lasted for the next three years that I owned the car and was still fine when I sold the car.

I had a similar problem with my 08 mustang GT. The alternator burnt through the cord going from it to the battery. Bought a remanufactured alternator and replaced it. Still didn't work. Traded it in for another remanufactured. Still didn't work. Finally returned that one and bought a brand new one. Works fine 6 years later and no problems.

The alternator itself can get bad only if the bearings are shot. If you don't have play on the shaft, and it spins freely then the alternating part of the alternator is fine. What can get pretty bad are the diode rectifier bridge.

12-plate Fiesta, 106k miles

- Alternator is intermittent

- Rear bushes are audibly fucked

- Radiator fan packed up so it overheats when idling in warm weather

I haven't had this problem with my RX8, but I had a similar problem with my Ford. Alternator was putting out 14.4V, but I still had a light. Took it to the parts store and they hooked it up to their tester. It said the Alternator was no good.

Had issues with every single Ford alt I replaced (from autozone, Napa, Oriellys) didn’t matter. Only had luck with either dealer parts or from a local rebuilder.

I once went through 3 alternators in 2 days from the Ford dealer on one job.

Go with a new OEM. I had a Ford E250 I put a remanufactured one in and it lasted like 2000 miles and gave out.