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That depends on a number of factors. On the average, you ought to be annoyed if your alternator goes bad in less than 5 years or 50K miles. The following will cause an alternator to fail quicker:

  • high under-hood temperatures
  • lots of high-draw electrical accessories
  • weak battery
  • bad jump-starting technique
  • dirt, water, sand, grease and foreign debris caked on, and in, the alternator

Sometimes, what passes for a failed alternator is simply a bad diode pack. You might be able to swap a new diode pack in and get another 100K miles on the alternator.

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Q: How long does an alternator last?
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Related questions

How long the alternator last?

In my experience burning out alternators on a Pontiac and an Oldsmobile, you can get about 100,000 miles out of it before expecting to replace the alternator.


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How long would a battery last with a bad alternator?

It depends on just how 'bad' the alternator is, but generally, not very long. You can actually drive your car until there is not enough electrical charge to spark across the spark plugs, and your car just stops, unable to start again.


Have replaced alternator twice on 1999 zx2is this common?

Depending on how long the interval was between alternator changes. Less than a year and I would look for warranty on the alternator. Now there are factors beyond the alternator manufacturers control. A battery that is on it's last legs will take out an alternator really fast. A stereo system with a large Amp(s) will also shorten the life of an alternator drastically. These situations will not be a warranty issue.


How long will an alternator last when the diodes start going bad?

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How often does an alternator need to be replaced?

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How long should the alternator on your car last?

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How long should a well maintained 2002 Yukon last mileage?

I have a 2003 Yukon with 211,000 miles, the only thing I have reoplaced is the battery and the alternator.


What else can kill a battery besides an alternator?

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How long will a motor on 97 sebring with 159000 miles last?

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Does the alternator run when you have the car started and in park?

Yes, as long as the engine is running, so is the alternator. The alternator is actually what keeps the car battery charged.


Do bad spark plugs have to do with charging the alternator?

Spark Plugs do not affect your alternator. As long as your engine is running then it should be charging unless your alternator is bad