Car died on way home .....

[Markarina]

Think the alternator has died , driving home got the battery symbol on the autocheck, faint glow from battery light on the dash volt meter reading 10V, then every gets fainter, windscreen wipers get slower, ABS light comes on, manage to pull into a lay-by on the dual carriage way .... 3.5 hours later get home seems everybody was breaking down

[Error404]

D'oh! yer thats the alternator.
i had this happen recently, luckily my drive home is only 6 miles so i made it home with just sidelights on and no fan / stereo etc.
check the belt is tensioned first, then maybe try replacing the voltage regulator.
both cheaper than a new alternator!!

[HPmuirt]

both cheaper than a new alternator!!

Definately examine the volt reg etc first Mark.

My altenator bearing is making an awful noise so I asked my mate's garage to price up an exchange unit.....£250 and that's cost to them Let me know if you find anywhere cheaper.

Cheers n

Si

[Error404]

GSF you're looking at about £90, but then it will probably only last 1-2 years

[HPmuirt]

GSF you're looking at about £90, but then it will probably only last 1-2 years

Indeed. £250 was for a VAG supplied exchange unit.

Cheers n

Si

[Acidburn]

Yeah mine did this about ten minutes after I put the HID's on mine, it now sports a nice trendy 20v alternator which was a straight swap.

[Error404]

anyone got a definitive answer on the factory Amp spec of the alternator? is it 120A?

[HPmuirt]

anyone got a definitive answer on the factory Amp spec of the alternator? is it 120A?

The ABY had 3 versions fitted: -

110A (Bosch) - 034 903 016 M
90A (Valeo) - 034 903 016 L
120A (Bosch) - 034 903 016 N

The 110A Bosch units were fitted to the very early ABY's. After that the 120A Bosch units were fitted. I have never resolved which cars received the Valeo units.

Cheers n

Si

[Markarina]

just got around to catching up, as on the Friday I was on a plane to Boston for two weeks skiing (just what I needed a 5 hour journey home and have to pack at 1.00am in the morning ), how easy is it for an inept mechanic such as myself to replace the voltage regulator ?

Mind you the hire car is pretty cool have an A6 3.2 s-line quattro in white with 1200 miles on the clock and way too many gadgets and features.

cheers

Mark

[Markarina]

Been doing a bit of digging for a replacement alternator, seems like for the 3B that a 90A alternator is required and I believe the original was a bosch - can anybody confirm ?

I have managed to get a quote for a non-exchange, not second hand unit for £98 + VAT ,free shipping and 12 month guarantee, but they haven't given me the specs and I'd like to confirm the specs.

cheers

Mark

[Jamo]

You can fit the 120a to any S2

The 90 amp is pony, bin it or better still have it reworked to 200a

Thats what i'm having done to mine to cope with the ICE

[Knight Rider S4]

VR is the first thing i would change not expensive and very easy to fit ,2 screws and its out ,you can buy a 15v one to which is always good

Link for info

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19577&highlight=voltage+regulator

[Acidburn]

I'll have to try find out my old one, i'm now running a 7a alternator on mine.

[PeteRR]

My altenator bearing is making an awful noise so I asked my mate's garage to price up an exchange unit.....£250 and that's cost to them Let me know if you find anywhere cheaper.

Cheers n

Si

Snap it up if it is indeed a new genuine Bosch 120A Si! (And can they get me one too?! )

The cheapest I can find locally is £354, most say it's dealer supply only for these.

[Markarina]

poked my head under the bonnet over the weekend, and it looks like to get at the VR I am going to have to take the bumper off .... am I missing something? if this is the case then I'll probably get a garage to do it and change the alternator at the same time.

Anybody know if Hella Alternators are any good or should they be avoided.

cheers

Mark