Chrysler and Chevy Problems

Question: 2001 Chrysler Sebring LX

2001 Chrysler Sebring LX with automatic transmission. I have around 68,000 miles on the car now. My question is, should I be thinking about replacing the alternator?

I do not have any problems with the alternator right now that I am aware of, but I am thinking of preventive maintenance so I don't get stuck out somewhere because the alternator failed and the battery gets drained. That has happened to me over the years in other cars I have owned in the past, so I want to head off something like that from happening again.

A year or two ago I asked the service manager at a Chrysler dealership how long would an alternator last before I needed to replace it on my car. His answer was that they had never had to replace an alternator on a newer Sebring like mine. I thought that was strange because I have never heard of a car going without replacing an alternator once it gets in a range of say 70,000 to 125,000 miles or so.

Do I need to have any concern about the alternator on a car like mine? If so, how do I go about checking it or testing it or whatever to determine when, if ever, the alternator is going bad?

Thanks for taking the time to read about my concern and for your answer,

Royce in Ohio

Answer:

There's no telling how long an alternator will last. My girlfriends 1997 Buick Lasabre has 130,000 miles on the original alternator. I have 236,000 miles on my 1983 Mercedes Benz 300D and I just replaced the original alternator at 235,000 miles. One of my customers 1999 Ford Windstar has 156,000 miles on the original alternator.

I have also replaced alternators on cars with as little as 40,000 miles on them.

Modern alternators last a lot longer than their ancestors did due to new technologies and materials. If you feel you want to replace the alternator as a preventative measure, I would probably do it at 100,000 miles. But keep in mind you will get a rebuilt alternator which is about half the price of a new one. And rebuilt alternators do not last as long as new ones will.

Question: 2004 Chevy Silverado

I have a 2004 Chevy Silverado that has an annoying vibration at about 900 to 950 RPM. It happens only in this very narrow RPM range. Cold weather seems to make it worse - enough to rattle the dashboard. I have taken the truck to two different dealers.

The first, where I bought it, said there was nothing wrong. The second said there was a Repair Bulletin out and they installed a "Flex Pipe", parts package 3.602, on the exhaust system. This seemed to help a bit for a month or so but the vibration is back again and it is more pronounced. Any clue as to what is wrong?

• 2004 2WD Chevy Silverado LS extended cab
• 4.8 Liter V8
• 4 Speed automatic
• Air/Cruise etc.
• 15,000 miles

Thanks,

DJ

Answer:

Well, if they installed the new flex pipe then they either installed it wrong, left something loose or the problem is elsewhere. I would take it back to them and take a technician on a road test so they know what the noise is and under what conditions it occurs. Then give them the keys and, very nice and polite, tell them to call you when it's fixed.

If they give you problems call GM Customer Service, the numbers in your Owners Manual, file a complaint and request an appointment with the Factory Representative. He or she will be able to help you.

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds