Hello. After reading and reading I've decided to ask. The car sat for almost a year. Originally I just thought it was the Alt. It would measure at the battery up to 12.5 to 12.8 and drop down to 3.8 or more (erratic) and light would come on dash. Higher rpms it would go out. Bat was old. Put a new one in. Now I'm getting nothing. No light and system check of car says charging system good. But batt drains in about 20 miles. I've read somewhere that could be chaffing of wires somewhere along the ac line, can't find, with possible other issues. I'm not a big fan of reman alts and funds are a little tight. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

 

You can get a fully new alternator from Rockauto for around $140. Getting the new alternator in is a bit of a tetris puzzle since there is not much room back there. Before buying any parts I suggest eyeballing the wires to make sure there is nothing obviously loose that is causing the issue. Some of the mounting bolts have to be done by feel since its not possible to see them. Good luck!

 

​​​​​​Thanks. Yeah I if price some alternators I'm going to get one. I had just read that something about the computers and some remanufactured alternators don't communicate properly. If you know what I mean. I've just done a lot of reading about charging issues with these. Hopefully I'll grab an alternator soon and let you know. Thanks again!!

 

Its also possible that mice have chewed some alternator cables since the car was sitting for so long. A visual inspection would confirm or deny that.

 

Is a new alternator from Napa anew good on ford 500

 

When you purchase an alt from NAPA, make sure to ask if you have a choice of a cheap one or good one. You get what you pay for.