I'm gearing up to travel in my new to me 1989 Ford Econoline E150 but I've been running into a seemingly perplexing power issue. The old alternator and battery were replaced a week ago after the van died on me in the middle of driving. Yesterday, it died on me again while driving down the highway. Advanced Auto Parts and the AAA tow truck driver both told me the alternator is bad, and after taking it into CarX today, they also confirmed the alternator is bad but also said it could be a wiring problem, which they couldn't diagnose definitively because it's a rats nest of wiring. I've called almost a dozen shops in my city and they keep telling me they can't do electrical work on old cars, so I'm really at a loss here. Do I return the alternator & buy a nicer one &hope that fixes the issue (the other new one was around $60, 60 amps), or should I keep calling around to find someone who can help with the wiring?

 

You might start with getting another alternator. It is possible to get 2 bad ones, but worth a try
Is there any way you can send some pix so we can see just what you have?

I'm referring to the wiring mess.

 

Pics of the alternator? It's in a bit of a precarious location & I can't really get my camera in there. Here's some pics of the wiring &



starter relay (?)

 

Like Hanky said, it is not unusual to get "bad" new parts. Did they bench test the new one or just use a voltmeter while it is on? They need to do both. If the alternator tests good, both off and on, it could easily be in the wiring.