Alternator sparking

[Rich G.]

Working on Cudagirls AAR @Cudagirl3406 I noticed at fast idle there were little sparks dancing around inside the alternator. I never noticed that before in an alternator before but it was inside the garage so it was a little dark . Just wondering if this is normal. I posted a video of it in the gallery. ( don't know how to put it here) Any thoughts?

[HP_Cuda]

Sounds like the alternator needs to be replaced, what you are seeing is the insulation has worn away and is shorting internally.

[1 Wild R/T]

I'm guessing it's at the back area of the alternator?   If so it's the brushes.... They may be excessively worn & causing more sparkling than normal but some sparking is normal..

[HP_Cuda]

I want to check out this video now!

Yup you got a short. How old is that alternator?

[pbajeff]

Brush springs are weak letting the brushes bounce.

Rebuild it before it fails.

[Chryco Psycho]

Brush kits are cheap
Rock Auto has the brushes for it fir under $4

[pbajeff]

That`s true and would take care of the issue for now.
I used to own a alternator - starter rebuild shop for about 20 years.
In my experience I just found that it was better once you opened one up to just replace everything in it.
At that time I could replace everything in an alternator for about $11 - of course I was buying the internals in 100-500 lot packs too.
Then again Chrysler was a little different animal. If it is the round back used up till 71 or 72 then it is pressed in diodes and solder connections on the stator.
That is a little more difficult for the average guy to rebuild himself.
Overall they are not hard to rebuild and not near as complicated as most people think.

[Rich G.]

There use to be a good rebuilder by me but he closed up not to long ago. A dying trade these days.