I have gone through about 5 alternaters in the last 2 months. Everytime i go wheeling i change it and have to take my steering shaft off and it is just a PIA. I replaced the plug into the alt., grounded it to the frame, followed the wires back to the fuse box, took the fender off and inspected them, and the truck runs for about 2 hours before it loses power and starts cutting out until it dies. Any ideas? Im stumped!
Derek

 

so you've checked the fuses?
what battery do you have?
what electrical stuff are you running?

give more info!

 

dont you think 5 alternators would indicate another problem?

Have you had the battery tested? Are you 100% certain all cell are in good shape?

And what version of wheeling do you do? Mud and water will kill an alternator fast.

 

I have always been told that a bad battery will kill a alternator VERY fast (even a battery that still starts your car fine) And vise versa a bad alternator will kill a good battery VERY fast. Was always told if you need to replace one replace the other at the same time because all the time you spent driving with a dieing alternator has killed your battery.

<offtopic>
Is takeing the steering shaft off easer? I have always removed the lower coolant hose.</offtopic>

 

No removing the steering shaft is not easier but my bumper/skidplate does not allow me to remove it from the bottom. Also No electrical besides headlights, yes im in mud but who isnt? Also ive tried 3 different batteries and nothing. What fuses would I check, is there an alt fuse?
Derek

 

??????

 

There is a fusible link. Search and you'll find info on it

 

Instead of pulling your steering shaft, you should be able to unbolt the water pipe from under the truck and undo your fan shroud and be able to get the alt out ot the car from underneath. What kind of alt are you buying? The aftermarket ones like kragen and napa are garbage. get a Denso reman alt if you havent already. What year is it? I don;t see that info anywhere. If its an older one, chech if you have an external voltage regulator

 

What about the voltage regulator? Have you checked that? My brother in-law had the same problem with his 82, he went through 3 alternators and 2 batteries before we found out the regulator was bad but thats only if you have an external regulator since i don't know what you have i'm just throwing that out there. Hope you figure it out.

 

(assuming its a turbo, so 86-88)

It is internally regulated. They stopped using external regulators in 1984.

 

its an 88 non turbo. I searched but couldnt find where the fuseable link is. Can anyone help me? Also how do you check the big fuses on the passenger fender to see if they are blown?
Derek

 

Good to know. thank you.