OK so I bought my 03 cobra last tuesday and saturday night the alternator went on me.
My friend has an 03 and said that it's common for them to go on the 03 cobras. Is this true and why?
I drove it kinda hard a few times but never really got the rpms past 6k.
Any advice or knowledge would be GREAT! THANKS!

yeah it's very common... I replaced 3 alternators over the course of 16 months... you'll find out that they're hit or miss.. they'll last for 4 years, 4 months, 4 weeks, or even 4 days in some cases...

Replaced mine too. No warning lights or anything. The wife was driving it and called not 3 months after I got it and said it just died on her. I thought she was messing with me.

Lucky for us it was still under warranty. I would hate to have to change it myself.Not much room under there.I have also had alternators go out on an Explorer and two Escorts (those were my wifes cars at the time too). So don't know if it is a Ford thing or a wife problem that I have.

But the good news is that it has gave me no problems for the past 2 and a half years since being replaced.

On another note. Has either of you experienced the seat wear from getting in and out on the suede? I am thinking about shaving mine.

I never had that seat thing..

I changed the alternator myself all the times it went out... pain in the ass the first time, but you just have to get on your back, or have access to a lift and just go around it... I had to get on my back... ripped up my back/neck... lol

I never had the seat thing either.. only had my car for 5 days so far. Finaly getting it back from the dealership today!!
It was a good thing I got a 2 year warranty because I didn't have money to pay for a new alternator.

Do they make high performance alternators? I hear alot that these alternators are known to go and I'd rather pay a little more for one that will last alot longer.

Nope not really... There are the PA Alternators, but its the same thing.. People have replaced those even more then the OEM ones... welcome to the joy of having a hotrod! lol

haha awww f*ck!
Anyway I saw you can buy alternators for the cobras that put out more amps. Will this make it not go as easy??

ORIGINAL: Cloud 9

Replaced mine too. No warning lights or anything. The wife was driving it and called not 3 months after I got it and said it just died on her. I thought she was messing with me.

Lucky for us it was still under warranty. I would hate to have to change it myself.Not much room under there.I have also had alternators go out on an Explorer and two Escorts (those were my wifes cars at the time too). So don't know if it is a Ford thing or a wife problem that I have.

But the good news is that it has gave me no problems for the past 2 and a half years since being replaced.

On another note. Has either of you experienced the seat wear from getting in and out on the suede? I am thinking about shaving mine.




idk if you have an extended warranty or anything but if so it can be replaced under warranty