Does this sound like alternator issue or electrical?

[Jla117]

My alternator was on the way out last Friday. Before that, the battery and brake light faded in and out till that Friday it completely lit the dash up solid with brake and battery light. All I did was do a speed pass past some idiot who went 55 on a 65 and when the gear changed it faded up my headlights and dash lights and then brake and battery lights were solid on. I replaced the alternator with a duralast gold from autozone. I had someone do it for 80$. He installed it and then brake light and battery warning lights were gone. We started the car and it was charging good. He also connected it with the same toasted up harness and the alternator would charge and not charge the battery after I tested it for awhile, basically charging when it wants too. The headlights and dash lights got dim. So I said ok, let me get a harness because that's what I thought was the problem. I had him put the harness because the alternator had to be moved and loosened to gain access to the plug in. That's another 40$ for labor I spent. Again we started the car and it was charging the battery. He left and so I tested the car and same issue only this time the alternator only charges the battery on a cold start. After like 3-5 mins the alternator doesn't charge the battery and I'm left with just running the car with just the battery. When alternator doesn't charge battery the rpms are at 900. But when it does work it's 600. That's how I know if it's charging or not. Also checked voltage level when alternator does charge and it's at 14.5 volts and when alternator turns off its 12.4 or below depending on how long I drove it without charging battery.

[OwnerCS]

A couple months ago a friend of mine purchased a new alternator from Advance Auto. The alternator was rebuilt in China. It lasted two days before it went out. He replaced it with a Bosch rebuilt from NAPA. So far so good on the NAPA alternator.

I would get a charging system health check run at a couple of different auto parts stores.

[Jla117]

I went to oreily and they said it was alternator and battery. But it's not battery because it was alternators fault for making it weak. Duralast is made in Malaysia, just my luck I got a bad one I think.

[OwnerCS]

Most likely.. Check it or get it checked for a 2nd opinion.