Land Rover Repair: LandRover alternator gone bad again., classic signs, serpentine belt

Question
A couple of weeks ago, my 1996 Discovery showed the classic signs of a dying alternator:  first the tachometer went, then the speedometer started to go, and then I started having troubles starting the car ...

So I ordered an new Bosh alternator (for about $250) and installed it.  I also replaced the battery (just in case).  Now, I am getting the same behavior.  At first, the tachometer would only kick in a few seconds after starting.  Then, a few minutes after starting.  Now the tachometer won't show anything, and the speedometer has stopped working.  I have checked the connection between the alternator and the tachometer, so I am pretty sure the non-working tachometer means the alternator is not working.

I assume I need to get a new alternator ... again.  Is there something that could be causing the alternator failures?


Answer
Hi Brett,

I've had this happen to me...I install a rebuilt alt that I bought and it fails within a week.  I returned it for another...no problem for 2.5 years.

It can also be an incorrectly fed serpentine belt.  The belt slips on the alt and thus the false and irregular tach readings (if any).

Best of luck,

JohnMc