So 2 years ago, my alternator died while I was driving. Ended up buying a new alternator from Autozone and replaced it. The Autozone alternator does have a lifetime warranty. Now, my Mustang keeps showing the status 'Check Charging System' on the dash. I have researched this on these forums and everyone says that means the alternator is about to die again. I went to Autozone and told them this, but the guy said the warranty only applies once the alternator is fully dead. Also this is my only car so I have no backup plan if it does die. Just moved cities, don't know people yet.

So my question is this. Is there a way to replace my alternator before it dies so I don't get stranded, but also get the warranty to reimburse me?

 

sorry, I don't know how to address the warranty issue . . . my only idea would be to buy the new one, have it on hand so you can swap it quickly when the old one dies, and then get credit for the old one afterward

If you want this to stop happening over and over, you need to get one of the good 2010 version Denso alternators . . . I'm guessing that is not what you have been getting from Autozone, and I'm guessing the good 2010 Denso alternator will probably cost more, but it might be worth it . . . . a while back, "Department Of Boost" had them, I am not sure if they still do, but you could check their web site

 

did the guy at autozone test the charging system recently?

 

No he said I have to have the alternator removed for them to test it

 

So why is the 2010 version better? And that will fit in my 2005 Mustang?

 

I don't know all the technical details, but my understanding is that the 2010 Denso alternator is redesigned, provides more amps, can handle higher RPM without failing, generally better all around . . . and I believe it will fit the 2005 cars, but I would check with Department Of Boost on that before I bought one

"Denso" is important -- that is the manufacturer; I guess there are other, cheaper alternators available for the 2010 that are not as good

 

Is this the alternator you are talking about?
https://densoautoparts.com/find-my-p...#searchResults

If that is the alternator, it is only available as remanufactured. Do you think that's still better than just getting a new one at autozone?

Also, thank you very much for your help

 

I don't know about that one; here is the Department Of Boost one that I was talking about:

https://www.departmentofboost.com/pr...so-alternator/

 

Thank you!!

 

Welcome to the forums! Sorry I'm a little late to this... just wanna chime in with this:

https://themustangsource.com/forums/...4/#post6917899

It's never going to be perfect, but after doing all that, I've not had *near* the problems I had before I did it. It was getting seriously annoying before that. I'd been chasing alternators and batteries quite the bit, but in the 7 years since I've had exactly one (1) battery die on me and one alternator... and that alternator was a clutch (they have clutches!). That last battery I swapped it for a Walmart Everstart, because they're literally all the same batteries, and it's cheaper with a 2 year no questions warranty. And in all these 7 years.. .the terminals look exactly like they did the day I got done with them, save the outside dirt that clings to the dielectric grease. It may be ugly but it will definitely work. No more corrosion, and that's a good thing. - Martha Stewart.

By the way, the message 'check charging system' is not necessarily going to be the alternator exclusively. It can be the battery or the wiring, hence the above needs to be done. And then you should be able to go to any parts store and have them... uh... check the charging system and tell you what's up.

Hope that helps!

 

@houtex So are you saying that the message that appears usually every 5 minutes while I'm driving, "Check Charging System" is not really due to the alternator dying?

Doing that big long cleaning of the terminals and everything else should solve the problem in itself? Because when I was looking at my battery, it didn't seem like there was any corrosion problem?

Also thank you very much for your time! Really appreciate it!

 

The alt does not have to be removed to test it. It can be tested with a voltage tester

 

@Glenn When I went to Autozone and told them the situation, the guy said I have to have it removed to test it?

 

I believe you. But I don't believe him. LOL ... maybe for a more in depth check. But most times You do not need to remove it to check if it is bad or not.

 

Is there a way to test it myself without removing it?

 

I don't know what's up with that guy, but it's Autozone, so it really doesn't surprise either... I mean, it's not like they don't sell them...
https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a...ter/974190_0_0

The testers today can detect either the battery or the alternator without removal. It's a small, easily done procedure, and you help them while in the car. Rev engine, lights on, off, turn off car, start it up, that sort of thing while the test is going on. He probably doesn't know how, doesn't want to because lazy/busy, or they've not ponied up for the newer box. They *do* have an alternator test stand, and yes, that requires the alternator out of the car, but that's to verify the alternator *after I've removed it on a guess and taken it*, only to find out it wasn't the bad thing. And yes, this *has* happened to me before, so experience with that.

Heck, I got one of these lil buddies, just plugs in the cigarette lighter... er, I mean, 'power port'... and it works just fine and dandy to tell me there's an alternator problem. 100% of the time it's been right. When it said battery, yup, battery. When it said alternator, yup, alternator.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-vol...ter-66842.html

Go to an O'Reilly's or Advance Auto or Napa or somewhere else besides Autozone.

And yes, the messages every 5 minutes could be alternator. Bad diodes or the clutch in it could be going on/off and that'd cause it. Or wiring... and I have experience with that too. Read these three posts in a row about my alternator going nuts... when it wasn't...
https://themustangsource.com/forums/...4/#post7051179

Connectors caused all that mess. It was freaky. But it was fixed. So maybe you need to look into that as well...?

Again, hope that helps!

 

Well I'm going to buy one of those alternator/battery power port testers. I'm also going to clean my battery connections.

I'll probably go from there depending on what I find.

Thank you again! I'll update what ends up happening!

 

Not sure if you have a friendly garage (or Snap On dealer) but get the battery load tested, the new one are electronic the old ones were better but carbon pile and would hurt the battery it tests the battery and will tell you what percentage they are. those old chrome ones with two clips can give false readings so do it with a good one. To test your charging a very simple method is to star the car turn on headlights stereo and heater. volt meter off the alt. check voltage should be 14.5 at about 1200RPM, then place the probes on the battery and check if its the same or you have a drop.

 

Ford switched to the 3-phase Denso alternators on the 2009 or 2010 Mustangs for a reason.
I replaced an alternator - and seven batteries - in the nearly 15 years I had my 2006 Mustang GT. Yeah, you read that right. Some of the 2005-2009 Mustangs have this nagging issue.

I'm in a 2015 Mustang GT now, but I always have the virtual gauge on Voltage - because the '06 programmed me to eyeball it all the time.

 

4 alternators and 7 batteries here, if that matters. It was getting infuriating. But most of them before I did the thing I posted up there, so... maybe it helps...?