How Long Did Your Alternator Last?

rjirvine · December 17, 2009

I have a 2000 silv with the 5.3 that has 115k miles on it. I was wondering if I should have the alternator rebuilt (new bearings) by a local shop near me. If I do it now I figure it'll last the life of the truck, as I only put about 7500 miles a year on it. I could wait for it to fail, but require reliability.

Nytemare · December 17, 2009

I have a 2000 silv with the 5.3 that has 115k miles on it. I was wondering if I should have the alternator rebuilt (new bearings) by a local shop near me. If I do it now I figure it'll last the life of the truck, as I only put about 7500 miles a year on it. I could wait for it to fail, but require reliability.

Get one that checks out from a scrap yard and toss it in your garage...then when yours goes, toss the other one on and you get the old one rebuilt Than your not down a vehicle...and you get a new rebuild for when the second one goes.

Hard to say when one will go man...sometimes they last forever...sometimes they just go every couple years....depends on who rebuilds it. you could have it rebuilt and have it go in 6 months....It may have never went out for years if you leave it alone.

RaddHazzard · December 17, 2009

40K and mine is still doin its job.

salden77 · December 17, 2009

84,000 miles and mine is still going knock on wood, im waiting it for it to crap out any day now, have round 1,600 watts in aftermarket stereo equipment, and dual optima batteries.

KMGZ400 · December 17, 2009

just replaced the alternator on my 2001 silverado at 50k miles and i replaced the alternator on my 2003 suburban at about 70k miles.

Spurshot · December 17, 2009

My 99 2500 has 215,000 on it and still has the orig alternator, untouched. There, I've jinxed it now.

jhm · December 17, 2009

I have a 2000 silv with the 5.3 that has 115k miles on it. I was wondering if I should have the alternator rebuilt (new bearings) by a local shop near me. If I do it now I figure it'll last the life of the truck, as I only put about 7500 miles a year on it. I could wait for it to fail, but require reliability.

Mine went out due to a bad diode at about 25k. I would wait till it goes.

csheatz · December 17, 2009

130K on my car, still working fine, I am thinking about getting it rebuilt in the spring just for piece of mind. I probably also just jinxed it!

fathead · December 17, 2009

my 2000 5.3 has the original alternator and it JUST started acting up last week @ 290k. by acting up, i mean it wouldn't start charging unless i tapped on it with a wrench while revving the engine. can't afford a new one so i just took it apart & cleaned the brushes and it works like new again. go figure..

i wouldn't worry about it

knipper_03 · December 17, 2009

my 2000 5.3 has the original alternator and it JUST started acting up last week @ 290k. by acting up, i mean it wouldn't start charging unless i tapped on it with a wrench while revving the engine. can't afford a new one so i just took it apart & cleaned the brushes and it works like new again. go figure..

i wouldn't worry about it

+1

136,000 miles on one before I sold it dont think hes replaced it yet that was 4 years ago

110,000 on my old mans truck its fine

mine has low miles.

if it aint broke dont fix it.

Spurshot · December 17, 2009

Bearings and brushes is all that I can think of that wear out.

hardluk1 · December 17, 2009

I am a oll time chevy guy and have not had any alternator problems . Sold most trucks going back to 91 with over 180,000 miles on each one but then only problem ever was a ring gear that crewd it self up at was found during service work at 164,000.

sabre364 · December 18, 2009

Would there be any point in replacing a fuel pump preemptively so you don't get stranded on a long trip for a high mileage gmt800? My buddy's tahoe fuel pump when bust when he was moving over here from alaska towing a mustang and loaded down with everything he owned. He ended up stranded in the middle of nowhere canada (nearest gm shop was 300+ miles), drove his mustang (600+ whp on race gas) to the nearest airport (even longer drive), flew down here so he could make it in time...had to go back up there to get his truck and trailer.

jhm · December 18, 2009

Bearings and brushes is all that I can think of that wear out.

Diodes are more of a risk of failing. I know, mine did and I found out why. Like any electrical component they are subject to thermal cycling (there is a lot of heat inside the alternator) and depending on the quality, wether they get screened at the factory or not, some can get thru that should not. Some are designed to blow out to prevent electrical spikes from getting to the ECM. I was lucky to have mine replaced under warranty. They aint cheap.

http://www.acdelco.com/parts/alternators-s...alternators.jsp

KMGZ400 · December 18, 2009

Would there be any point in replacing a fuel pump preemptively so you don't get stranded on a long trip for a high mileage gmt800? My buddy's tahoe fuel pump when bust when he was moving over here from alaska towing a mustang and loaded down with everything he owned. He ended up stranded in the middle of nowhere canada (nearest gm shop was 300+ miles), drove his mustang (600+ whp on race gas) to the nearest airport (even longer drive), flew down here so he could make it in time...had to go back up there to get his truck and trailer.

i have never replaced a fuel pump on anything in my sig... i know a lot of others have had fuel pumps go bad on 5.3's......