# Alternator killer **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [July 11, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-killer/16548 "2008-07-11T15:38:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![marmotman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@marmotman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marmotman)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-killer/16548/1 "2008-07-11T15:38:46Z")
My '98 Ford Explorer Sport had its alternator go bad back in November. I replaced it myself, only to discover that the new alternator was bad, also. I replaced that alternator, and everything was fine until this month the alternator went out again! Could my car be killing the alternator or do I just have bad luck buying alternators? ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-killer/16548/2 "2008-07-11T18:02:49Z")
Not alot of info to go on here. First, if you are not buying a top of the line rebuild, one might blame the alternator. I go for lifetime warranted on aftermarket parts, and have had good success with both Delco and Motorcraft alternators. On the other hand, paying for a mechanic’s diagnosis and a good quality charging test and inspection would be next on my list. I can’t help but wonder a voltage regulator isn’t working correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/alternator-killer/16548/3 "2008-07-11T18:10:02Z")
Many of todays “rebuilt” auto-parts leave a lot to be desired… Buy the “lifetime” unit and sooner or later you will get a good one…