alternator getting very hot. (normal?) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Painter D · 06-19-2008, 09:29 PM

I replaced my alt. from Auto Zone with another Auto Zone alt. (under warranty) and the new one is charging good but gets extremely hot. So hot you cant touch it at all. Is this normal? It's a 1 wire internally regulated alt. Any help would be great.

**truckdude239** · 06-19-2008, 09:54 PM

no mine gets warm but not burning hot its messed up in side take ti back for another one. but mine is a stock alt 1 wire on back and 2 in the side for the reg

jdfrmnt · 06-19-2008, 09:58 PM

the alt only gets hot at hi output so ti could be to much amp draw or bad diods if you have a amp meter it will tell you witch is witch

**leddzepp** · 06-19-2008, 10:05 PM

The problem is you bought it at Autozone. They sell nothing but JUNK when it comes to alternators and starters. What good is a lifetime warranty if you have to keep swapping it out?? Take it to a local shop that rebuilds them in-house. I did this with mine 3 years ago and have never had a problem since.

Painter D · 06-19-2008, 10:21 PM

I'm definately taking it back ,again. If I have too much draw on amps is my only option to get a high amp alt. ? I do have alot of extras drawing power elec. fan , halogen headlamps, air compressor , plus all the other normal stuff and the alt. is a 60 amp. I dont think I mentioned above, it had a light burning smell also.

68gmsee · 06-20-2008, 09:30 AM

Check the bearings to make sure they turn freely. Shouldn't get so hot that it burns your hand. And as mentioned the draw on the current.

The good thing about Auto Zone and other local parts stores is that they can test it and exchange it right there if it's bad. I've had to take stuff back but not that frequently.

Be aware that local shops are good but you have to wait for the repair. I had a local alternator/starter repair shop do one of mine some years ago and had to return it for repairs. No problem, but it took another 2 days before they could get it back to me.

70GMCer · 06-20-2008, 10:55 AM

**VetteVet** · 06-20-2008, 12:30 PM

here is what I would do.
http://www.chevelles.com/techref/tecref14.html

06-19-2008, 09:29 PM	#1
Painter D Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW (Forney) Posts: 1,529	alternator getting very hot. (normal?) I replaced my alt. from Auto Zone with another Auto Zone alt. (under warranty) and the new one is charging good but gets extremely hot. So hot you cant touch it at all. Is this normal? It's a 1 wire internally regulated alt. Any help would be great.

06-19-2008, 09:54 PM	#2
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,233	Re: alternator getting very hot. (normal?) no mine gets warm but not burning hot its messed up in side take ti back for another one. but mine is a stock alt 1 wire on back and 2 in the side for the reg __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube Last edited by truckdude239; 06-19-2008 at 09:57 PM.

06-19-2008, 09:58 PM	#3
jdfrmnt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: phoenix az. Posts: 53	Re: alternator getting very hot. (normal?) the alt only gets hot at hi output so ti could be to much amp draw or bad diods if you have a amp meter it will tell you witch is witch

06-19-2008, 10:05 PM	#4
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,996	Re: alternator getting very hot. (normal?) The problem is you bought it at Autozone. They sell nothing but JUNK when it comes to alternators and starters. What good is a lifetime warranty if you have to keep swapping it out?? Take it to a local shop that rebuilds them in-house. I did this with mine 3 years ago and have never had a problem since.

06-19-2008, 10:21 PM	#5
Painter D Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW (Forney) Posts: 1,529	Re: alternator getting very hot. (normal?) I'm definately taking it back ,again. If I have too much draw on amps is my only option to get a high amp alt. ? I do have alot of extras drawing power elec. fan , halogen headlamps, air compressor , plus all the other normal stuff and the alt. is a 60 amp. I dont think I mentioned above, it had a light burning smell also.

06-20-2008, 09:30 AM	#6
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: alternator getting very hot. (normal?) Check the bearings to make sure they turn freely. Shouldn't get so hot that it burns your hand. And as mentioned the draw on the current. The good thing about Auto Zone and other local parts stores is that they can test it and exchange it right there if it's bad. I've had to take stuff back but not that frequently. Be aware that local shops are good but you have to wait for the repair. I had a local alternator/starter repair shop do one of mine some years ago and had to return it for repairs. No problem, but it took another 2 days before they could get it back to me.

06-20-2008, 10:55 AM	#7
70GMCer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joppa, Maryland Posts: 4,408	Re: alternator getting very hot. (normal?) __________________ 1997 GMC Sierra Ext 1965 Mustang

06-20-2008, 12:30 PM	#8
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,709	Re: alternator getting very hot. (normal?) here is what I would do. http://www.chevelles.com/techref/tecref14.html __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.



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