how long should an alternator last?

[Gokz777]

SOLVED

I had a new alternator fitted in may 2008, is it possible that it is dead after such a short period?



It was the battery. Faulty battery. RAC said the battery was fine.....the indicator on the battery was green, indacting it was fine. No alternator, no regulator, nothing, a stupid battery was the cause, had an auto elec do a test on the whole system.

[88GreenVN]

dead as in the brushes/regulator?

[Gokz777]

dead as in the brushes/regulator?

i mean like, the car wont start, once it takes a bit to jump start it. and once it gets going the lights on the dash go off like theres no tomorrow, but after a while everything starts to dim. when i turn off the car it wont turn back on again

[88GreenVN]

i mean like, the car wont start, once it takes a bit to jump start it. and once it gets going the lights on the dash go off like theres no tomorrow, but after a while everything starts to dim. when i turn off the car it wont turn back on again

I'd be sus of the battery if the alternator was replace only 2 years ago. The alternator would normally last for 10 years or more.

[Gokz777]

I'd be sus of the battery if the alternator was replace only 2 years ago. The alternator would normally last for 10 years or more.

the battery was replaced only like a year ago? and the indicator bar on the battery is always green. racv checked the battery and it was charging?

the car has a cracked head gasket, it has overheated before, could that have caused anything to break? i doubt it though, cos it just holds current...dont see how heat could affect it

[graham7773]

my VT still has the original alternator so 12 years old as it is a 1998 Acclaim wagon. Check all the usual suspects like earthing points, battery terminals loose or corroded, main wire on alternator not tight