89 Maxima SE-3rd alternator in car/WHY?

[kahnartist]

Wondering if any one can shed some light on why I've needed 3 alternators in my 1989 Nissan Maxima/SE. The last two were purchased 'used' from junk yards for under $50.00...but it seems they should have a longer life than a battery.

Batteries also have a 'life'...but it seems highly coincidental that both alternators had to be removed/replaced at basically the same time the battery was low. Just last weekend, battery AND alternator were 'bad' (and replaced).

Is this something normal with this car? It has 185,000+ on the OD...so hoping someone can explain 'wuz up' with this.

Thank goodness hubby is mechanically inclined so no labor cost involved w/alternator replacement.

Thanks to all who reply. This is puzzling....

[180fan]

I've come to expect nissan alternators to last about 140k or about 12-13 years before going kaput. Now if you're pulling junkyard alternators, chances are they've probably got the same original alternators. Electronics go bad over time and it's to be expected with anything from the junkyard.