Alternators what's the difference ?

[JayG]

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

[clickman]

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.

[jmatta]

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.

[Run]

Went with one from pelican with regulator. After 11 years not replacing both seemed like a high chance for double the work.