Average life of alternator?

[Lux Hauler]

Please, lets not get manufacturers worried about this again.... A few of them tried the liquid cooled approach, needless to say that is not occurring all too often anymore.

[southernnaturelover]

One thing is for sure, don't waste your money on a reman one from the parts store. Go to the dealer and get a genuine replacement.

[unit731]

I have had two quit over the decades.

Both were used older used cars with less then 100,000 miles.

One was a Dodge and the other was a Mitsubishi.

They died on the highway. And it is an awful sensation. If not prepared.
First the radio quit.
Then the lights dimmed.
At this point pulled over to side. And car dies. Then a tow.

These cars - it was before any warning lights placed in cars.
New cars will have a warning light on dash. Which give you some time to prepare.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by unit731

I have had two quit over the decades.

Both were used older used cars with less then 100,000 miles.

One was a Dodge and the other was a Mitsubishi.

They died on the highway. And it is an awful sensation. If not prepared.
First the radio quit.
Then the lights dimmed.
At this point pulled over to side. And car dies. Then a tow.

These cars - it was before any warning lights placed in cars.
New cars will have a warning light on dash. Which give you some time to prepare.

My '66 Dodge Dart GT V-8 and '66 Plymouth Fury VIP (383) both had alternator gauges. If the needle went into the "discharge" zone, then the alternator would not be charging properly. Fortunately, I don't recall it ever going far into that area.

Both my '69 and '76 Cadillac have an alternator warning light.

'66 Plymouth in photo below...