Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-16-2014, 12:24 PM   #1
Run
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SC
Posts: 151
Alternators what's the difference ?

I have an 03 with a trip transmission and my alternator went out. I called up the local independent Porsche shop and was quoted 1600.00 for a alternator. Needless to say I laughed at the guy. So my question is I did some research and prices are all over the place from sub 200 at the parts store to 400 at pelican and beyond. This car is a weekend driver.
Any advice on what route to go?

Run is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2014, 01:58 PM   #2
Registered User
 
Porsche9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 1,796
Go with a reputable Porsche parts supplier like Pelican. They know these cars and stand behind what they sell. Stay away from the O'Reily's, Pep Boys, Napa's, etc. They don't have a clue in generally about Porsches.
__________________
03 Carrera
02 Boxster S Guards Red, black interior with matching hardtop
89 Carrera 4
89 944 S2
78 911SC
Porsche9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2014, 01:59 PM   #3
On the slippery slope
 
JayG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
Garage
The factory Porsche part is far and away worth the 400% premium







NOT

Do a search, there are a bunch of recent threads on alternators
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
JayG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2014, 03:31 PM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BC
Posts: 1,310
Are you sure it's the alternator and not the voltage regulator? They are well known to fail. Unfortunately it's stuck on the back of the alternator. They are around $40 IIRC.
__________________
2001 Boxster, 5 spd, Seal Grey
clickman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2014, 03:37 PM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 1,675
Yep on the voltage regulator. Unless the alternator shaft has wobble, the usual suspect is the regulator. It's a common part used on VWs, Audi and Mercedes. Do a search and you'll find part numbers from Bosch; they are under $50 and fairly easy to install. I did mine several years back after the car came from winter storage...battery light went on and I got out the multimeter. Think the reading was only around 11 volts, when it should be at least 14.
__________________
JGM
2002 Boxster S
1973 911 Green FrankenMeanie
PCA DE Instructor circa '95
jmatta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2014, 12:13 PM   #6
Run
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SC
Posts: 151
Went with one from pelican with regulator. After 11 years not replacing both seemed like a high chance for double the work.
Run is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2014, 07:43 PM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,492
With all due respect to one of the earlier replies,
Porsche does not make alternators. Electrically, there is absolutely nothing special about the Boxster alternator and no need to pay stupid prices.

This isn't a hard job and double work is not necessary. I did this job for the first in May 2013 in my driveway. I ended up just replacing the VR with a new Bosch unit for $45 from a local starter and alternator shop.

Remove your alternator and have it tested at any auto parts store. You will know weather you have a bad regulator or bad alternator.
Replace the regulator or both and you are done.
dghii is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2014, 06:42 AM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BC
Posts: 1,310
Also check that the decoupling clutch is working. Mine wasn't.

(Not sure which model years have a decoupling clutch; I don't think they all do.)
__________________
2001 Boxster, 5 spd, Seal Grey
clickman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2014, 10:03 AM   #9
Registered User
 
tonycarreon's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 1,396
'01 tip...
my alternator went out 4 years ago on a road trip. i'm sure it was the regulator but since i was in a tough spot (1300 miles from home, 100 miles from a dealer / p-car shop) i decided to just replace the entire alternator with a rebuilt one from o'reilly.

did the work myself, part was $240. so far, zero issues from the alternator.

i had a rattle for a bit because i hadn't tightened one of the bolts enough, easy fix once i got home.

__________________
"Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... that's what gets you."
tonycarreon is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page