Struggling with the tranny lockup issues I was going to try replacing the alternator to see if it's dirty brushes/power supplied to the system. So I mosey down to the parts house to price out a new and or rebuilt juice machine. The guy behind the counter asks me if I have the Denso or Bosch alternator"I don't know, let me look at one and I'll tell you if that's it or I have the other"
He doesn't stock either and can't order without a deposit. The catch is the Denso unit is $139 the Bosch is $200 too much to spend on diagnostic for me. I can return it if it's wrong but I would prefer to have the right one first time. I looked at my alternator and couldn't find any manufacturers marks. I know it's whatever came with it at birth because I've own it the whole time and haven't switched out an alternator....yet.
Any clues from the masses on how I can positive ID who made my alternator?

 

Do you have an Autozone around you? They do free alternator test insted of spending the money on a new one.

 

http://www.fostertruck.com/alternators.htm
this should help

 

it puts out the right voltage but occaisionally it will take a couple of seconds to come up to voltage on first morning start and the check guages light comes on until it comes up to ~10v then it all works fine and amp output is fine. My guess is either the brushes or slip rings. They won't test out bad on a straight output testor that doesn't look for output quality not quantity. The fuzzy power is what wrapping the output wire with a drain is supposed to suppress.

 

If it is only occurring on a cold start it might just be your intake heater kicking on. My truck will only hit 10v when it is on. But after about 10 miles my truck is warm and doesn't do it for the rest of the day. If it is giving you the check engine light in that first 10 miles I would suggest batteries over an alternator. One of the reasons for the 2 batteries is the power that it takes to run that heater grid.

 

I had my slip ring replaced during a rebuild, w/new brushes at a electrical shop and it cost less than the $139 they quoted you. Mine is a Denso.

Floyd

 

There is a thought, I can drive my son't Jeep till he comes home for Xmas. That way I don't have to know what kind before and I can know for sure what make it is after.
Thanks