I have an 06 dodge Dakota. In the last 6 months I have replace the alternator 3 times. I replaced one the first of December that lasted about 2 weeks. The second one lasted from December to the end of May. I just replaced it again just a week ago. Itis now making a high pitch whining noise. My question. What would be causing the alternators to fail?

 

Cheap aftermarket?

What brand do you keep getting?

 

I've been getting them at Advance Auto. CARQUEST Alternator - Remanufactured - 136 Amps . It's just odd that I've had 3 fail in the last 6 months

 

Try a different brand......

 

Unless you have an underlying issue like a short circuit somewhere.

 

Do you have anything that draws a lot of power like an amp or something? Otherwise bad parts. Maybe check the large grounds but likely not an issue if everything is working ok.

 

Try getting a new alt. I find that re-manufactured ones are terrible now a days.

 

I would agree with bad alternators.

I would also have the battery tested....dead/bad batteries will make the alternator put out more amps....ever check the amp output when you start a car with a dead battery...15-20 for a normal system 60 to 70 with a dead battery. Alternators are designed to maintain a charge level...charging a completely dead battery from the vehicles charging sytem work them hard.