I have a 1996 gm,does anyone know what the average life span of the alternator ison this vehicle ? It has one hundred thousand miles on it now. I am wondering if I should go ahead and have the alternator rebuilt nowrather than having it break down on the road and suffer the added expense of a tow bill ?

First rule: Don't touch a running system.


No rebuild will guarantee that the part wont fail shortly after.


If you want to rebuild things in advance, the companies will certainly appreciate your money. But you know what? You can have brand new tires, if they blow due to a screw or nail, you still will be stuck and have to pay the bill, unless you change the tire yourself.


If you are so concerned about this part (and what about the many other ones???), then go to one of the auto parts stores and have them check the item. At least you will know if it works properly.


And don't worry: With a decent battery and the alternator failing, you can still drive for hours. However, a faulty water pump / belt / starter will get you stranded permanently.

Thanks for your advice. It makes sense........Lugnut

Something else I just experienced on another vehicle: Supposedly the alternator needed to be replaced.


Well, I unmounted it (3 bolts), cleaned the alternator from dirt and oil, cleaned the contacts, put some WD-40 on it, put it back on, and guess what: after a couple days: no drained battery anymore, full charge indication on the voltage gauge in cockpit, no issues anymore.


How does your alternator look like? Mine could use a cleaning, and after what I did to someone elses vehicle, mine is next.


Greetings.

Grand Marquis Alternator
 

I've found that the Grand Marquis/Crown Vic/Town Car (Motorcraft) 130-amp alternator lasts approximately 50,000 miles under "normal" conditions.
It's MUCH cheaper and A LOT less trouble to buy a new alternator and install it at home -- Rather than break down in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and pay
400 dollars to have your car towed and have the alternator replaced with a NAPA rebuilt unit.
When back home in Phoenix, the NAPA rebuilt alternator was swapped out for a NEW Bosch (part # AL7537N) 130-amp alternator -- and the NAPA rebuilt unit was kept for a "spare".
The Belt Tensioner was replaced with Gates #38386 Premium Belt Tensioner.
The Serpentine belt was replaced with Gates #K060980RPM Hi-Performance belt.
UPDATE: 5 December, 2017 --
26 months on the Bosch 130-amp Alternator, Serpentine Belt, and Belt Tensioner.
Charging system is functioning correctly, and alternator, belt, and belt tensioner are running smoothly and quietly.