Battery Issue - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

rangersplash · 01-18-2010, 05:01 PM

Well battery didn't fix it. Guess I'll go get an alternator tomorrow. Any other ideas guys? I was able to drive it home by the way but the damn lights started to flicker when I got very close to home.

Edit:

Any idea where I can pick one up? I am thinking about doing something local. O Riley wants about $200. Online anywhere? I didn't see it on Pelican parts or Suncoast. Should I stick with OEM for this?

Thanks guys!

vath2001 · 01-18-2010, 07:14 PM

Try Rockauto or AutoZone. Remember that the factory OEM died after "How many miles?" Do you really want to try them again?

Paul · 01-18-2010, 07:39 PM

A $10 voltmeter would have told the story.....

gschotland · 01-18-2010, 08:47 PM

No need to buy OEM from your friendly dealer because it's more than likely going to be the same Bosch remanufactured unit you can buy elsewhere for 1/3rd the price. I don't see the point in paying a premium for a Bosch reman. Like others said, yours failed earlier than it should have.

Although I'm reluctant to buy any new parts off of eBay, I did get a "new" alternator from a seller named california_alternator_starter. They delivered quickly and I was very pleased with the quality of the product, which appeared to be new and included a new pulley. Cost was ~$200 delivered and unlike almost every other seller there was no core charge. Only 1500 miles on it - so far, so good.

I did look at a unit at Autozone that was also ~$200, but it looked nothing like the factory unit. The fan blades were on the outside of the casing instead of inside and the casing looked totally different. If you've got an Autozone nearby where you can see it before you buy, that's probably a good option. Otherwise try PartsGeek.com or RockAuto.

There are a number of good threads about replacing your alternator. It's a PITA job (took me 2-3 hrs w/lots of cursing) but overall pretty do-able with the right tools. You will need a special tool for removing the hub that costs $24; search eBay for "Porsche alternator tool".

rangersplash · 01-19-2010, 01:25 PM

Thanks guys. Doing the alternator tonight. I hooked up a DMM to it last night and it wasn't charging at all. Grrr...So I have a new (reman) alternator in my hands from O Riley Autoparts.

Wish me luck. ha!

rangersplash · 01-19-2010, 06:08 PM

Took all of an hour. Damn that was easy. Fixed.

wmtee · 01-20-2010, 05:23 AM

I read your posts and have the same car, 99. I want to replace the alternator also and I looked it up in the manual and it has you going thru the top to remove a couple of nuts on studs. I thought it would be all done thru the front. What was your experience, you said it only took an hour. That sounds reasonable if you are just going thru the front panel. Thanks, Bill

rangersplash · 01-20-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmtee

I read your posts and have the same car, 99. I want to replace the alternator also and I looked it up in the manual and it has you going thru the top to remove a couple of nuts on studs. I thought it would be all done thru the front. What was your experience, you said it only took an hour. That sounds reasonable if you are just going thru the front panel. Thanks, Bill

Definitly through the front only. Just took out the 2 bolts once I was in there and then rotated it clockwise and it came right out. I was impressed at how easy it was. Good luck.