Alternator problems

[braineatingalien]

I just replaced an alternator last week that would randomly work and tested bad. Tonight I have having problems again. The car wasn't charging for the entire one hour drive. I was ready to pull it, got it up on ramps and it was charging again.

I have a 2007 ford focus. Does anyone know what could be causing these problems?

[Sponsor]

[freemind]

The pigtail that plugs into the alt. has gone bad. Or is not seated correctly

[braineatingalien]

I've done multiple wiggle tests and multimeter tests on the pigtail, but it all checks out OK. I think I have the newer style that don't go bad, but I may be wrong. Should I replace it anyway.

[amc49]

Don't be surprised if your new alt is the problem, especially if it is a 'lifetime warranty' one. Those things are often garbage...........

[braineatingalien]

Thats what I was thinking. Its an autozone lifetime alternator.

[JayDeZ]

Originally Posted by braineatingalien

Thats what I was thinking. Its an autozone lifetime alternator.

When i had my thunderbird back in college (10+ years ago) i was replacing the Autozone lifetime alternators in it ever 2-3 months. I eventually got it down to a 7 min change in the parking lot at the store.