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Alternator problem

matthewb

New member
[FONT=verdana,geneva"]Hello chaps

I need some advice, please. How much is a new alternator? Are they recons? Do you part exchange old for new? How difficult / expensive to fit?

The long version ...

My recent posts have described my bad luck over the past weeks - first, I spent a small fortune on wishbones, steering rack, suspension, suspension mounts, wheel refurb, chip, injector clean ..... then, on the way home from having this work done, my windscreen-washer pump failed - and finally, driving home from a long weekend at a spa this afternoon with the wife (chilled and oiled) the ABD, ABS and airbag warning lights appeared. The alternator warning light did not appear to come on.

The brakes seemed fine (though I was only doing 30) so, suspecting an electrical problem, I decided I'd best pull over somewhere qiuet - Bartley Business Park, Hook, just off J5 M3, proved ideal.

I decided to park-up sensibly, turn off the engine, count five and restart. Clunk. And again - Clunk. Next time, no Clunk. Oh dear. The toilet facilities at the nearby Virgin Media's offices and a chance to recharge the wife's mobile (both our mobiles were dead but she at least had a recharger with her) were most appreciated and very useful.

RAC to the rescue. They took 90 minutes to get to us but in fairness (given time of day, location, conditions) that was pretty good. Chappie was great - had worked at OPC in Bristol and knew his stuff especially regarding Porsche 993 electrics. Alternator b***gered. I asked why the alternator warning light hadn't come on and he explained that when an alternator is only slightly b***gered the warning light will come on, but when it's completely and utterly b***gered, you get no, or very dim, warning-light indication (something to do with diodes and a short circuit).

He hooked-up the thickest jumper-cables I've ever seen to a neat adaptor thingy on the front of his van and we charged my battery for 10 minutes or so and then we tried to start the car. Success. Chappie told me to really rev the engine while he watched the avo - no power came through from the alternator and the alternator warning-light now glowed dimly.

He got a battery-booster out of his van, took the suitcase residing in the Porsch'es bonnet back to his cab and hooked things up. The car started and he said he would follow us home to Goring. No main beam. No hot-air blower and no rear-screen heater- terrible condensation. No radio. No ciggy lighter. Phew! With 100m to go, the airbag warning-light came on again and the headlights dimmed. We only just made it.

The battery's now on trickle-charge so I can drive the car over to my indy to get the alternator changed.

Again - how much is a new alternator? Are they recons? Do you part exchange old for new? How difficult / expensive to fit?

Thanks
Matthew

P.S. The wife was great. She put on her cardy and fleece and read her book with good spirit, despite it getting cold and dark.
[FONT=verdana,geneva"][FONT=verdana,geneva"] Once it started to get dark I convinced her to put the book down. I tried getting her to play I-Spy. Not keen.
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Can I ask how long have u owned the car, where did you buy it from and how much have these repairs cost u so far???
 
[FONT=verdana,geneva"]Hi David

I've owned the car since 2000 - bought second-hand 2 years old with 45,000 miles.

In total, over the last decade, I've spent around £8k on bodywork (scuttle rust, front-end respray, wheel refurbs, door check-stays, leather conolising etc), £15k on non-cosmetic mechanical stuff. Tyres & brakes not included.

The car is now 12 years old and I've done 150,000 miles - she looks great, runs great and is great.

Cheers
Matthew
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You obviously use the car very regulary then. I hadnt realised u had done so many miles. good for you. pretty heavy running bills though
 
[FONT=verdana,geneva"]A new alternator is £515 + labour + VAT

New, from Germany, none in UK, no part exchange. Arriving Monday.
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ORIGINAL: matthewb

A new alternator is £515 + labour + VAT

New, from Germany, none in UK, no part exchange. Arriving Monday.

I had exactly the same symptoms as you. I had done 95,000 miles at the time. My new alternator was approx £500 fitted as I recall. All seems fine since then.
 
I believe the total cost is likely to be nearer £650 + VAT (parts and labour) as you also need to change the fan bearing (which is on the alternator shaft). I believe this is because it's almost impossible to remove the bearing (to reuse it) - don't know whether you've ordered the bearing as well. I see you're in Goring (not far from us) so why not give Ray Northway a ring?

Regards
Anton
 
Hi

Follow the link to good old euro car parts - they do a Bosch alternator for £236 or a Lucas for £170 (this is the final amount you pay once you've sent your old alternator back for overhaul - the websit explains more.)

See attached link

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Porsche_911_3.6_1996/p/Car-Parts/Electrical-and-Lighting/Electrical/Alternators

So the only thing to do then is find someone to fit it for you - or DIY if you are feeling up to the job...I'm not sure how hands on you are...probably someone has removed/renewed one of these previously and would be able to provide a detailed guide to doing this

Hope that helps and good luck with getting the car back to life!!
 
[FONT=verdana,geneva"]Thanks Austin

I'm afraid it's too late to go down the EuroParts route. Never mind.

How reliable are these recon units, anyway? I have heard they can be a bit pants. I understand if you buy the new Porshe part it comes with a 24 month worldwide replacement guarantee (not that I drive abroad much).

My indie is going to fit it. He has the tools, the car-lift, the experience, and the knowledge to spot other potential problems before they become serious.

I can't wait for my baby to be up and running again. They say trouble comes in three's so I'm hoping that this'll be my quota of bad luck for a while. I say 'bad luck' but 150,000 miles isn't bad going, is it?

Cheers
M
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[FONT=verdana,geneva"]Thanks Anton

No - I haven't. I'm hoping my indy (WrighTune) doesn't need it! I just called Tony to check and he doesn't seem concerned. I'll keep you posted. :)

I'm sure Ray is a super chap - I met him briefly at the 993 Q&A day. Both Northway and WrighTune are very close-by and both came with good recommendations - but I chose WrighTune because they are marginally closer and my journey there is along less congested roads, including the A4130 - a nice straight quietish drag, if you get my drift! And Wallingford's a nice place to shop and walk around while you're waiting.

Cheers
M
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Since we were also at the 993 Q&A I'm surprised we didn't follow each other there and back!

All these years I've lived in this area - Streatley, Pangbourne and Purley Village (and had my 993 for about 10 yrs!) and I hadn't even heard of WrighTune! I agree that Wallingford is a nice location if you're waiting for your car - a bit (just!) more up market than the Beenham Industrial Estate!

I was introduced to Ray by someone who'd worked with him many years ago at Porsche and they've looked after our 993 since it came of extended warranty (was bought from AFN now Porsche Reading). As I'm sure you'd agree, when you've found a good Indy (like Northway's or WrighTune) there's really no point in looking elsewhere. In fact it seems that we're all very lucky with the Porsche marque as it seems very rare to hear about a bad one - unlike other marques.

Hope all goes well and you get your car back soon.

Regards
Anton
 
Hi Matt

The reconditioned/overhauled alternator units are pretty good to be honest - they are completely dismantled and rewound, with any damaged parts being renewed - and then tested pretty extensively prior to depatch. I'm fairly certain that they come with a 12 month warranty (not 24 months I know) - but I guess it depends how much extra the 24 months warranty is going to cost you?

Anyway - sorry I didn't post the details on sooner as you've obviously sourced from your OPC - all I can say is good luck with getting it sorted and I hope you're back on the road soon. [:D]

Still worth considering if anyone else has a similar problem in the future.

Austin
 
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Since we were also at the 993 Q&A I'm surprised we didn't follow each other there and back!

Actually, Anton, I think I did follow you down! Your car is an unmistakably gorgeous dark metallic orange and if it's a Turbo then it was almost certainly you whom I followed - there were three of us by the time we got to Chipping Norton - me at the back in a black C4S, you in the middle and a dark grey CS in front. You and I first met up at Benson services - I turned right for fuel, you bore left and carried on towards Oxford. See my "thanks" post - http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/m.asp?m=535957

I had a call from Tony at WrighTune this evening saying that my new alternator had arrived unexpectedly early and that I was now therefore booked in at 9:00 Monday morning. As well as fitting the new alternator, Tony has also to replace the broken (shattered, actually) n/s headlamp-podule socket. Should all be ready by lunchtime. 'Er indoors has Monday off so will follow-me down and drop me back there later - what a gal!

I have to say, despite Tony always having a queue of cars waiting, he always finds time, ad-hoc, to see what he can do for me. And if he can fix it there and then, he does.

If ever you see my black P-reg C4S or my 'local' car (a sound but rubbish-filled, clapped-out, unwashed, unloved, pale-blue 22-year old Honda Civic) parked in Manor Road opposite the John Barleycorn, pop-in and ask Bobby the landlord to point out "Matt the Porsche". I'll stand you a a pint.

M
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My car is the one shown in my avatar - the Arena Red 993 C4.

Great to hear your car's near being sorted - mine's just back from it's regular service and replacement distributor caps & leads at Northway's and seems like a different car! Yes it's always amazing that these indies are very busy yet seem to find time to fit you in if you've got an urgent problem - Northway's have gotten me out of a hole a couple of times, the last time was in the snow when I needed the front tyres changed and one of the wheel nuts sheared and the wheel couldn't be removed. They managed to remove it without any wheel damage (which was a great relief as I'd just had them renovated).

I'll be sure to take you up on the beer offer next time I'm in Goring!

Have a good weekend.

Regards
Anton
 
[FONT=verdana,geneva"]I got my baby back today.

New alternator (well, I say 'new' - it had an official-looking p/n sticker (964xxxxxx) and a sticker saying "Remanufactured in Poland").

It was £700 including labour and VAT. Oh well - I get a 2 year guarantee.

Anton - there was no need for a new fan bearing - it was tough to remove, apparently, but not impossible, thank goodness.

C'est la vie.

Thanks for everyone's input.

M
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ORIGINAL: matthewb

Only 95,000 :)

105,000 now, but that is nothing compared to some of the cars on here ! Glad to hear you got it fixed, should be good for another 100,000 or so.

Mark
 
Did Porsche state it would be a reconditioned/rebuilt unit ? and not a "new" one. I would be having "words" with them !!!!!!

 
[FONT=verdana,geneva"]My indie only uses official Porsche parts. So he ordered an alternator from Porsche. And that's what we got - an alternator from Porsche.

I guess Porsche would argue that they've supplied something that meets their standards - but it would have been better for them to have declared up-front that it was a "remanufactured" unit.

M [:mad:]
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