Alternator problem 94 T-bird

[jjnightowl]

I need help! We have replaced the alternator 3 times in barely over a year and it's going out again. Any one have any ideas what's causing this?

[97Bird]

What aftermarket accessories do you have that draw power from the alternator? If you have high power amps for your radio the alternator might not be able to provide the current needed causing it to fail prrematurely.

[jjnightowl]

Unfortunately, none, it's still got the factory radio in it, no amp no nothing, I did find that there are some fuses missing in the power distribution block and I'm trying to find out which ones I'm supposed to have. The car was used and we didn't get the owner's manual.
Ford only goes back online to 96, so I'm checking that. Thanks alot

[97Bird]

Did you buy a quality rebuilt or just a cheap one? Do you know what actually went wrong with the alternators?

[jjnightowl]

Sorry this took so long, computer went down.

Yes we bought good quality rebuilt alternators, or at least my Dad, who was in the parts business for 20 + years says they are. I believe the brushes burnt up every time and the volt meter in the car would go wacky just before they went out. This last one we changed before it went completely bad.

Thanks

[E-bird]

it would seem as though something is shorted. you may need an ampmeter to check the current draw of the electrical system while the car is running,and try unplugging 1 fuse at a time to see where the current drain is. though it would seem that whatever is drawing that many amps should blow a fuse. perhaps that troubled circuit is hot wired (bypassed fuse protection). have you seen any jumpers in the fuse block?

[coondawg6]

VERY IMPORTANT the color of the voltage regulator must match the original equipment one that came on the car. aftermarket does not care what reg they use as long as it will work RIGHT NOW. its a daily sales quota type thing (HAHAHA) but thats the actual part that fails and not the alt . takes alot more than a year to burn the brushes or the rectifier/diode bridge,........unless.........you have a serpentine belt thats too small and the pressure from the tensioner is too much for the bearings to handle BTW the factory uses colors to identify the amperage for the regulator and its held on to the back of the alternator by torx bolts. if your not sure on which regulator it is supposed to have i wouls suggest taking the last 8 digits of your v.i.n. to a ford dealer and buy a factory alternator assembly to start with may not have to ever replace again just my