My father in law had a 93 lesabre same engine 3.8L and he used to go through 1 alernator every year on that car with only 60k miles on it? I was reading edmunds.com before I bought this bonneville and almost every has complained about the alternator. Is it not strong enough for the electical load? Just curious why people with 95+ cars don't seem to have many issues with their alternators?

ive never heard of a car that ate through alternators that quickly... something isnt right there... it is more likely that something was causing a high strain on the alternator, or that he was getting crappy rebuilds....

i used to go throught alternators like candy on my 1990 SSE.... i found out it was because they were autozone rebuilds that were crap to start off with..

it dosent help alternators that our cars have all the bells and whistles when it comes to features, they wouldnt fail so much if they were more powerful. the best bet for any 3800 is to get a 140amp alternator.

If your father in law had a low mileage vehicle and didn't drive often, then the battery would be getting low only to start and get a supercharge, low, high rate charge..

That'* not good for a battery or an alternator.

My best luck on both has been driving the car every day for about 20 miles in one stretch. Currently my truck is having battery issues because it is sitting. I bought a battery tender for it last night. (after having to use a battery charger to get it started and watch a high charge go into it.

My 98 came with the 140 (but I'm beginning to believe that it'* stock). Mine hasn't died yet, but it'* starting to show signs of weakness.

PartsAmerica.com (The PartsAmerica.com team includes Advance Auto Parts, Checker Auto Parts, Schuck’* Auto Supply and Kragen Auto Parts) sells an alternator repair kit for about 12 bucks that I may look into before going with a whole new alternator. Most, just because I think it'd be fun to rebuild one.

Just an option for those who think it'* time, but are on a budget.

Here'* the link again, for thost that may be interested

Is the amprage stamped on the alternator?

ive gone through 2 alternators in 4 years and yah i got mine from autozone, but i have the lifetime warranty so when i burn one up i just go back and get a new one. it probably doesnt help that i have all the tvs, lights, and 3 amplifiers, oh well.

Yeah, I'm geussing you're putting a bit of a strain on a stock alternator.....