Help Me!!!

[Chinook58]

I have a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo coupe. I've had it for about 2 years and its been running fine until now. At the end of last month my car died on me so I jumped it and it ran but 15min or so later it would die again so we figured the altinator had gone bad so I got a new one and we also got a new battery w/ it. The new one worked for about a week or two until that one crapped out. So i thought okay must have been a dud so I got a new one. Once again it worked for about 2 weeks and it died. So now i'm on my 4th altinator and we just put the new one in and I went to go start my car today and nothing happen i thought it might have been the battery is dead but the engine isnt making that clicking noise. So I'm out of ideas of whats going on so anyone else have a clue?

[Frat-man-du]

Bad cable (ground cable is very suspect) or voltage regulator - replace anytime you replace an alternator.

[Chinook58]

well on the last one we put on we put a new ground on it so nothing would happen but tonight my car died on me again. The only different thing that happen was my car was making this horrible noise for a few days before it finally died. I'm pretty sure the battery is dead though because it's making the clicking noise. So i'm not sure what's killing my altinator.

[Frat-man-du]

Did you replace the voltage regulator when you changed the alternator? Also just because you have a new alternator (or re-manufactured) does not mean it is any good. I can't count how may times I have bought new parts and they have failed. As much as it pains my wallet I try to buy OEM parts as much as possible, at least they almost always seem to be the right part and fit right. Anyway ,rambling aside, if your ride has a separate voltage regulator - change that, they are pretty cheap and are good insurance, especially when changing an alternator. If it is internal, inside the alternator or the problem persists have the new alternator checked.

Not to be an a$$ but just to be sure - did you put the serpentine belt on the right way? I have done that on my wife's' 'Stang and it sure looked right, but it was running the alt backwards. I caught it when I looked at the diagram on the hood -oops.