[zolen]

Anyone been having problems with 03-04 Cobra alternators going out? My friend's died at about 50k miles and mine just bit the dust at 60k. Im wondering if I should just get a new or rebuilt Ford unit, or go to a better one like Bosch or Mean Green. I dont want to buy another one in 50k miles. Also, I know a place that will rebuild mine for like $75, anyone have experience with getting theirs rebuilt?

[zolen]

also, I do have one hell of a stereo in the car pushing about 1500 watts rms, but my friend's is stock, and mine lasted longer than his.

[Doc8224]

1500 watts is not that much. Are you running a bigger lower pulley? That can spin them faster and wear em out quicker.

[zolen]

no, all the pulleys are stock

[cmr98cobra]

can't say i've heard of ford having problems with their alt. but if you guys want to try and save some money you could rebuild it your selves for about half of what it cost to buy new.

High Output Alternators,Alternator Parts, High amp alternator, Chrome Alternators,Quick Start Rebuild Kits, alternator part

you'll have to look around a bit, but it should be in their. i just rebuilt mine after 80k.

[zolen]

thanks cmr98 for the info, I'll check it out

[ZOOTOXIN]

Originally Posted by zolen Anyone been having problems with 03-04 Cobra alternators going out? My friend's died at about 50k miles and mine just bit the dust at 60k. Im wondering if I should just get a new or rebuilt Ford unit, or go to a better one like Bosch or Mean Green. I dont want to buy another one in 50k miles. Also, I know a place that will rebuild mine for like $75, anyone have experience with getting theirs rebuilt?

I have 68,00 miles and have replaced the alternator twice so far.

My first one was around 40,000 miles. my extended warranty covered both replacements. Replacing the battery isn't covered and both times my battery was so drained it couldn't be charged.

[T-101]

Originally Posted by zolen also, I do have one hell of a stereo in the car pushing about 1500 watts rms, but my friend's is stock, and mine lasted longer than his.

1500W RMS is a hell of a lot of sound. Is your RMS really that high? That alone would be 100-120A average from your alternator, never mind lights, ignition, and all the rest. Stock alternator might be good for 110A or something like that. I'm not certain on that rating, that's what I found from a quick surf around.

Also, doing lots of racing, at real high RPMs, might effect the life of your alternator.

[RanGer498]

Originally Posted by Doc8224 1500 watts is not that much. Are you running a bigger lower pulley? That can spin them faster and wear em out quicker.

1500 rms is not a lot ?...lol
you must be use to the 1000 watt 1"x2" amps from walmart.

[Doc8224]

Originally Posted by RanGer498 1500 rms is not a lot ?...lol you must be use to the 1000 watt 1"x2" amps from walmart.

Ummmm No. I run a 1200watt RMS setup. I know what it is and what its not.

[zolen]

Yeah, its about 1400-1500 rms. The Rockford sub amp (old Power 800a2) came with a "dyno" sheet when I bought it. It made 1054 watts RMS bridged into 2 ohms. It is running a JL Audio 12 W7 so it is running at 1.5 ohms. Therefore the output should be a little higher. I also have a JL Audio 300/4 amp that is 75w x 4 (300 watts RMS). My friend's car has the stock stereo though. I think the extra heat of the Cobra motor and the fact that the alternator is buried on the side of the motor probably cuts its life short. I work at Autozone so I just bought one of the remanufactured alts. from there since it was cheap and has a lifetime warranty. So when it dies again (as I'm sure it will) i can just take it up there and get a new one for free!!

[zolen]

And 1500 watts RMS is a lot for someone who just wants a loud stereo that sounds great. It might be nothing compared to people with Suburbans that have 8 subs, but 1500 watts RMS can pretty much run (and do it well) anything you could stuff in a Mustang's trunk (and still retain the space required for a daily driver).

[Doc8224]

Are you not running a capacitor at all?

[rocklight]

My 04 Snake only has 9,000 miles on it, and I have gone through 2 alternators already. And currently needs another.

Previously I have used Ford parts... this time I will be trying a NAPA model instead.

Only mods currently are the 2.76 upper, and full set of billet-flow idlers.
Car is dead silent for about 500 miles after the alternator is changed, then it starts chirping again at startup.

Turning the alternator by hand, you can feel it bind at a certain point.

I am beginning to wonder if it has something to do with the extremely tight belt pressure we run with the smaller blower pullies (damaging the rear-bearing in the alternator)?

Rod

[WilltheThrill]

yeah, alternators going out early is common with the 03-04 cobras.

[562cobra]

yeah mine went out at 93k. Rebuilt by a reputable shop, and didnt even last a thousand miles. so i went with a lifetime warranty from Kragen, autozones close competitor.

[FCEFED]

First time mine went out i went with a PA performance alternator thinking i wouldn't have to worry about for awhile. Wrong it didnt last as long as the factory alternator. This second time i went with a OEM unit and its been doing fine since

[thelpb]

It's because they're overspun. If you're blowing alts left and right, get a larger pulley from Metco.