I have a 1998 vauxhall astra isuzu 17td engine. Ive had 2 new alternators in the last year and now need another. Symptons include rev counter not working and abs lights staying on. Im told an alternator should last a lifetime why do they keep going wrong. Thinking of a DIY job this time to save money, any idea's on how to get next one to last longer and where can I get one cheap. Thanks

julie-1963@hotmail.co.uk, January 2009

i HAD A SIMULAR PROBLEM WITH MY 1.7 TD (ISUZU)
flat battery/no charge or gradual loss over several days of non use.try and change the charger relay,check alternator belt for tightness ,if light on dash shows pre start and dissapears after start charge should be ok.

micky, March 2009

well said peccavi.
perhaps stokie and richard are her mechanics.

find a reputable mechanic, tis the only way,
speculation without investigation leads to frustration

mart, January 2009

Come on guys get real - Richard & Stokie you're as bad as Julie's mechanic making it up as you go along.

Why should a car manufacturer fuse the Alternator with the cigarette lighter - for what possible purpose? And even if they did how could a blown fuse make the Rev Counter stop working and the ABS light remain permanently on?

Superficial searching on the web reveals nothing to support Stokie's assertion to replace an alternator at any frequency - every 3-4 years is pure invention. If this were the case alternator replacement would be part of the maintenance schedule at a certain mileage frequency like replacing the cam/timing belt and no schedule I have ever seen calls for an alternator change.

Your replies owe more to clairvoyance and palm reading than they do to logical analysis.

Peccavi, January 2009

It could be the fag lighter fuse which is connected in the same circuit and will not charge the battery

Richard, January 2009

altenators dont last a life time, they should be replaced every 3-4years

stokie, January 2009

A defective alternator will always cause the battery to become flat quite quickly. (Although a flat battery does not necessarily mean a bad alternator). The "charging" light is a good clue to tell you the alternator is working providing it comes on with the ignition and gradually goes out as the engine speeds up.

If someone is advising you to replace your alternator to cure the Rev Counter & ABS light problem they are very probably taking advantage to make money for themselves or just guessing - or both.

A bad alternator will not cause the Rev counter to stop working & neither will it cause the ABS light to stay on.

In forty years of driving I have never needed a replacement alternator - don't change your alternator - change your mechanic.

Peccavi, January 2009

altenators should be covered by a 12 month warranty from a reputable dealer so should last as you said 'a life time'
if they are going that quick it sounds like your problems run a little deeper than the altenator, I would suggest an auto electrition to take a look at the car and give you his opinion, most auto electritions are quite reasonably priced and can be found in yellow pages or similar directory.
hope this helps.

mart, January 2009