Alternator always dies

[_lithium_]

Well my brother had my car (1992 Mazda MX-3 GS) and replaced the alternator twice, I do run subs and an amp and the charge light flickers on and off and I'm suspecting that the alternator is about to go out again, of course I will test it prior to replacing. I was wondering if there is any reason it is dying so damn much? I was thinking maybe my amp is killing it?

[SuperK]

4 cyl or 6? You might want to add more grounds and clean up the ones that are there. If it's a 4 cyl, it's got a little 65 amp and you can mod the 6 cyl amp in which is... 90amp I think?

[_lithium_]

Yeah it's a V6, I'm gonna attempt to clean up any grounds, I think they auto place is going to be pissed seeing as this will be either the 3rd or 4th warranty on this alternator. My brother replaced it a few times when he had the car, I believe it's caused by the amp draining the s--- out of the system (can't remember what the Watt was on the amp but I think its a 700 or something). I know he never told them about the subs/amp because it would void the warranty.

[Dali]

what kind of alternator are you getting and are they reman? I had a friend here go threw four I believe before I gave him one of my stock spare ones and he has not had a problem since. How are they failing, there should really be nothing with the car to kill off the alternators.

[SuperK]

plus peak wattage means crap, it's all a marketing scam. You can have a bajillion peak wattage, and i you only have 75w/channel, then guess what, you only got 75w/channel. Check the RMS specs. I would also get a farad capacitor that way the alternator doesn't get sudden wattage spikes.

[_lithium_]

Any suggestions on what king/size farad capacitor? I don't know too much about them and would appreciate some direction. As far as the alternator goes, I think it was reman when he bought it and I'm unsure if the ones that he swapped out under the warranty are reman or not. Is it a bad idea to open my alternator up and look inside maybe at the brushes or something? I've been thinking about also just going to the junk yard and pulling one, what types of cars would match mine?

[Ryan]

Anything with a motor that looks like yours will bolt up, even some that don't. I put an MPV alternator on my BP once.

[Sleeper6]

If you have a 6cyl put in a millenia alternator just be sure to get the pigtails to plug it in. Its rated for 110a I believe

[wytbishop]

Millenia alternator is not a straight swap. You have to do some wiring. There is a write up in the FAQ.