96 Contour GL Alternator Question

[2crunk]

I think i may have a problem with my alternator (alt). My battery in the car was dead, according to autozone so i bought another one. They also tested the alternator and said peak amps were at 30. However the new battery did start my car (wouldnt start before, i had 2 have it jumped).

Next i went to advance autoparts and they tested the same alternator and said its peak amps were at 80. She looked it up on the computer and the computer said it calls for a 130 amp alternator. She said thats normally way too much for a 4 cyl so she looked up a probe the same year with the same size engine, its alt. called for 80 amps. Next we looked at my 04 F-150 w/5.4 V8 and it calls for a 110 amp alt.

My question is, does it really matter what these other vehicles say? Could my alt be good? Im going to watch it over the next couple days, if the car runs fine i guess the alternators fine?......if the new battery dies, i guess autozone was right, i do need a new one..........

One last thing i thought was wierd, i disconnected the negative battery terminal (on the old battery) and the car kept running......wtf

[rivguy]

according to ford parts software both were offered on these vehicles. with a 4 cyl. very possible it is only 80 amp. - if you don't have all the buttons you don't need a big one.

[2crunk]

Originally Posted by rivguy

according to ford parts software both were offered on these vehicles. with a 4 cyl. very possible it is only 80 amp. - if you don't have all the buttons you don't need a big one.

do you know how i can find out which 1 my car came with?

[pre98zetec]

all contours came stock with a 130-140amp altenator

[2crunk]

so is there a way to find out which alternator my car has, without going to the dealership?

[beyondloadedSE]

Originally Posted by 2crunk

so is there a way to find out which alternator my car has, without going to the dealership?

Yes. www.contour.org.