Your Alternator

[Shatto]

You may have read about my long trip where the alternator failed.
I was delivering critical medical supplies up near the northeast border of California, almost to Oregon and didn't have the luxury of waiting days for a replacement alternator so I bought some batteries and ran them until the truck died, switched batteries, etc.

When I got home and my Tundra, Clyde The Ride had a new alternator, Dex, my mechanic showed me the brushes which had simply worn down to the point where the brush seat had destroyed the armature.

Brushes: $25.00.
Alternator: $400.00

Any reason not to replace brushes with the timing belt service? Or every 50,000 miles or-so?

[CJD AUTOMOTIVE]

Maybe on a Toyota, but not a Chrysler product. Chrysler alts are externally regulated and use software in the controller to control the alternator field. This prevents the huge voltage ramp cycles that kill alternators. Ever wonder why some Chrysler products use the same Delco alts as GM and they last until the bearings fail at 200K, but a GM alt fails about every tank of fuel?

[Shatto]

I've concluded that the alternator ought to be treated as a maintenance item and overhauled periodically for ultimate reliability, then I'd have a truck as expensive to keep as an aeroplane.

My Dakota went through something like four alternators. I'm thinking the engineering is aimed at the average ownership of 100 to 200,000 miles, or less which is why the valve seats of the Dakota were just heat treating and I'd bet the newest Hemi is the same for the same reason. It works.