Just read 303GreenDestiny�s thread about his new alternator. Didn�t want to piggyback on top of his, but this is similar in some ways.
I replaced my alternator 12 months ago (99 Contour V6). Did it myself ââ?¬â?? took forever, but it worked. A real whiner ââ?¬â?? got it at Pep Boys/Atlanta. Havenââ?¬â?¢t driven the car more than 2000 miles this year, but never had a problem. Had it in my garage for the last 6 weeks, so I took it out one warm day last week. Noticed the battery light was on, just like when the alternator failed last year. As I was driving along, also realized the whine was gone. Drove to the store, hoping the light would go off. Didnââ?¬â?¢t. Total of about 4 miles. As I came back and turned into the street where I live, all of a sudden I hear this high pitched whine (normal sound for this alternator) and the battery light immediately goes off. I mean, seems like an intermittent electrical thing, but I wouldnââ?¬â?¢t really know. Drove it again that night a little bit, no problems. But now I wonder if I have another alternator replacement in my future. My old alternator didnââ?¬â?¢t whine. Did I install it wrong, is it a poor quality alternator, or is it just broken? Any thoughts?
