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Battery Warning Light - Thinking it's the alternator

Lerxst
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Lerxst Member

Lerxst

Posted
Posted

Battery Warrning Light came on while driving tonight. Visual inspection of the battery shows a ship date of June 23, 2006. I plan to take the battery in tomorrow morning to make sure it's not the problem. I'm suspecting it's the alternator.

1) Could it be anything else that I should investigate?

2) Is the alternator on a MY02 C2 a common component across manufacturers... Audi, VW? I'm not in a large city and am hoping that I can find a rebuilt one to install in the next day or two.

3) How tough is it to swap out the alternator on this engine? I've done an intake and the IPD plenum so far by myself.

4) Can you direct me to any instructions on swapping this, either in the shop manual (which I have), or on the site? So far I've come up with nothing in my search.

Thanks guys.

Joe

Lerxst Member

Lerxst

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ya learn something every day... the alternator is referred to as the generator in the shop manual.

Answered question 4.

27 22 19 - Removing and installing generator - 27-3

KevinMac Member

KevinMac

Posted
Posted
Ya learn something every day... the alternator is referred to as the generator in the shop manual.

Answered question 4.

27 22 19 - Removing and installing generator - 27-3

What s the charging voltage?

PrinciPorsche Member

PrinciPorsche

Posted
Posted
The voltmeter was reading about 11.5V

Going through the same thing.

The charging voltage is supposed to be in the range of 13-14.5V.

So, if you've tested across the battery terminals with the engine running, I think it's safe to say the alternator is not charging.

Question, of course, is "why"?

I'm going to have a look at the alternator connections as I was doing a search and one member had a loose ground clonnection. I'm hoping it's something simple as I have other issues to contend with.

Hope this helps a bit...

Lerxst Member

Lerxst

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Choices...

Go to local stealership... $1000 for new alternator plus install... 4 business days.

Have local alternator shop bring in a rebuilt... $400... 3 weeks

Have local Auto Electrics shop rebuild the alternator... ~$225, done tomorrow.

That's an easy one.

Lerxst Member

Lerxst

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Alternator's in, it's working like a charm.

Lessons learned for anyone else doing this:

1) The rear bushing on passenger-side of the alternator was really tight. Some people were able to tap it back with the bolt after 5 turns, but it didn't work for me. Use lots of lube and place downward pressure on the tab while wiggle the alternator. Before putting it back in, I ground the surface down a few thousandths to make the install a little easier.

2) Before shelling out $400 for a rebuilt alternator, contact your local independent auto electric shop. My shop charged me $195 after taxes to rebuild my alternator and had it ready the same day.

Cheers,

Joe

demosan Member

demosan

Posted
Posted
Alternator's in, it's working like a charm.

Lessons learned for anyone else doing this:

1) The rear bushing on passenger-side of the alternator was really tight. Some people were able to tap it back with the bolt after 5 turns, but it didn't work for me. Use lots of lube and place downward pressure on the tab while wiggle the alternator. Before putting it back in, I ground the surface down a few thousandths to make the install a little easier.

2) Before shelling out $400 for a rebuilt alternator, contact your local independent auto electric shop. My shop charged me $195 after taxes to rebuild my alternator and had it ready the same day.

Cheers,

Joe

Joe,

thanks for the info on your alternator replacement. I am curious as to whether the rebuild you had done included a new voltage regulator ( I believe it is integrated into the back of the alternator) or was it only a mechanical rebuild of replacing bearings??

Regards, demosan

PrinciPorsche Member

PrinciPorsche

Posted
Posted
Alternator's in, it's working like a charm.

Lessons learned for anyone else doing this:

1) The rear bushing on passenger-side of the alternator was really tight. Some people were able to tap it back with the bolt after 5 turns, but it didn't work for me. Use lots of lube and place downward pressure on the tab while wiggle the alternator. Before putting it back in, I ground the surface down a few thousandths to make the install a little easier.

2) Before shelling out $400 for a rebuilt alternator, contact your local independent auto electric shop. My shop charged me $195 after taxes to rebuild my alternator and had it ready the same day.

Cheers,

Joe

Good info, Joe.

What exactly was wrong with the unit?

I know what you mean about the bushing...scraped knuckles...ouch.

judgejon Member

judgejon

Posted
Posted
Alternator's in, it's working like a charm.

Lessons learned for anyone else doing this:

1) The rear bushing on passenger-side of the alternator was really tight. Some people were able to tap it back with the bolt after 5 turns, but it didn't work for me. Use lots of lube and place downward pressure on the tab while wiggle the alternator. Before putting it back in, I ground the surface down a few thousandths to make the install a little easier.

2) Before shelling out $400 for a rebuilt alternator, contact your local independent auto electric shop. My shop charged me $195 after taxes to rebuild my alternator and had it ready the same day.

Cheers,

Joe

Good results. You're lucky to have a good auto electric shop close by. Rebuilt cost me $510 last March. Cheers, ...

Lerxst Member

Lerxst

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

The rebuild included a new regulator.

They gave me the option of trouble shooting and fixing the problem, or doing a complete rebuild for about $70 more. I just had them do a complete rebuild. In situations like puling the alternator, I put on the mechnic gloves... my knuckles are intact :)

The guys at North Main Auto Electric just shook their heads when I told them some of the other options and related prices. And it was nice of them to not jack up the price when my dad blurted out it was for a Porsche. :P

Edited by Lerxst
PrinciPorsche Member

PrinciPorsche

Posted
Posted
The rebuild included a new regulator.

They gave me the option of trouble shooting and fixing the problem, or doing a complete rebuild for about $70 more. I just had them do a complete rebuild. In situations like puling the alternator, I put on the mechnic gloves... my knuckles are intact :)

The guys at North Main Auto Electric just shook their heads when I told them some of the other options and related prices. And it was nice of them to not jack up the price when my dad blurted out it was for a Porsche. :P

Do yo know if they changed out the rectifier as well?

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