My alternator went bad and so I had to replace it?

JAYENPATEL

MEMBER
2004 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
81,000 MILES

I have a 2004 Ford Explorer. My alternator went bad and so I had to replace it. I went to the auto parts store and they needed the manufacturer date because the computer had different part numbers based on manufacturer dates. Mine had a production date of 12/15/2003. The one they gave me (I did not know at the time) was the one for manufacture date of 11/2003 or earlier. I put it in and my car started acting funny at start up. The rpms would drop to about 500 and raise up to 1000 and then sometimes when the rpms would drop down at start up, the truck would die. Once it got running, there was no problem. It was not showing a code or anything. I was not having this problem before I put in the alternator. Do you know if Ford made different alternators for the Explorer? Also, if I put the worng one in do you think it might give me this problem? Any help would be great.

2 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Yes, Ford could have used different alternators for the 2004 Ford Explorer based on the manufacturing date, as you experienced when purchasing the replacement alternator. It's essential to match the correct alternator to your vehicle's specific manufacturing date to ensure compatibility and proper functioning.

If you installed an alternator intended for a manufacture date of 11/2003 or earlier, and your vehicle was produced on 12/15/2003, there could be slight differences in the alternators that might lead to compatibility issues. Even seemingly small variations in electrical specifications or mounting points can cause problems when installing the wrong alternator.

The symptoms you described, such as fluctuating RPMs and the vehicle stalling at start-up, could indeed be caused by an incompatible alternator. The alternator plays a crucial role in providing power to your vehicle's electrical system, including the battery and other components. If it's not supplying the correct voltage or current to the system, it can lead to erratic behavior and performance issues.

To resolve the problem, you should replace the alternator with the correct one that matches your vehicle's manufacturing date. Return the incorrect alternator to the auto parts store and explain the issue so they can provide you with the appropriate replacement.

Installing the correct alternator should fix the problem and restore your vehicle's normal operation at start-up. If the issue persists even with the correct alternator, there may be other underlying issues unrelated to the alternator replacement, and it might be best to have a qualified mechanic inspect your vehicle for further diagnosis.