Alternator dead in just 2 years?

Brent 930 · 09-26-2004, 11:39 AM

Last night my battery light came on and stayed on after starting and driving the car. 2 years ago this happened and it was the alternator. I believe the alternator is a Paris-Rhone with the external voltage regulator. My battery is almost brand new and I checked the voltage before and after starting the car. 12.6v with the car off and 11.9v with it running. So either my alternator is bad again or I have a wiring problem. If the alternator are they really that bad? Do I have a better and more reliable option here?

Thanks,

Brent

83' 930 turbo

stlrj · 09-26-2004, 01:11 PM

Try an new regulator.

Joeaksa · 09-26-2004, 03:36 PM

Brent,

If it was a overhauled unit then the work could have been sub-standard. If it was a new unit then I would be torqued.

Doubt that you have a wiring problem, and would take the alternator out and put it on a bench and ops check it. While there look at the wiring but it sounds like either brushes or the regulator.

Have you ever jumped another car with yours or had any welding done on it? Either of these can also blow diodes and this will also cause the puppy to puke.

I got 75k miles out of my first one and hear that thats about par for a good unit. Had it overhauled and it worked fine for years until I sold the motor.

JoeA

Brent 930 · 09-26-2004, 04:18 PM

It was a remanufactured one #911-603-120-DX. At the time I didn't do much work on my own car like I do now. I'm going to find out what kind of warranty I have tomorrow. Either way I need to remove it and figure out if I can fix it or will have to replace it. If I have to replace it then I want to make sure I get the best one in there.

Thanks

Brent 930 · 09-26-2004, 05:28 PM

I looked that part # up in Pelican and they list it there. I just took it out and it's not a Paris Rhone yet a VALEO, also made in France. I heard the VALEO isn't very good?

WydRyd · 09-26-2004, 05:30 PM

Test the voltage at around 2000-3000rpm's. If it's low, then either replace the voltage regulator, or if you are sure the alternator is gone, replace it with an aftermarket high output unit, like this one:

http://www.k3.com.au/index.php?page_id=2

Brent 930 · 09-26-2004, 07:38 PM

So far I can't find anything wrong with the alternator itself yet there seems to be an issue with the reg. Are the regulators sensitive to charging?

Thanks

Joeaksa · 09-26-2004, 07:44 PM

The Valeo may not be the best of units but mine did very well. What surprised me was that my local "mom and pop" alternator overhaul shop got parts to overhaul mine in less than 30 minutes. Total overhaul cost was under $75, so it was very reasonable.

JoeA

Lorenfb · 09-27-2004, 08:12 AM

"Total overhaul cost was under $75, so it was very reasonable."

Have to love those bottom dollar rebuild (junk) charges!

Typical internal regulator rebuild costs:

1. regulator - $50
2. bearings - $20
3. new slip rings - $20
4. labor - $25

Total wholesale (w/o profit) - $115

mb911 · mb911's Garage

My marchel does the the same thing after a complete rebuild. It is going back today

Ben

pwd72s · 09-27-2004, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lorenfb
"Total overhaul cost was under $75, so it was very reasonable."

Have to love those bottom dollar rebuild (junk) charges!

Typical internal regulator rebuild costs:

1. regulator - $50
2. bearings - $20
3. new slip rings - $20
4. labor - $25

Total wholesale (w/o profit) - $115

Folks, surely you can't get mad at Loren for this one...it's a get what you pay for thing...like engine rebuilds...

Wil Ferch · 09-27-2004, 09:02 AM

Depends if you include ( or don't include) the $ cost of the regulator that you purchase separately and hand-over to the rebuilder...as I did.....

Wil

( mine was a 3.2, so it had an internal VR) ....

Joeaksa · 09-27-2004, 09:17 AM

Paul,

It was Loren going after my post!

Loren,

I am a pretty good mechanic, and have worked on aircraft for only 20+ years. The parts I put on my cars are the same quality that I put on my airplanes and I do not do sub-standard work on anything.

I handed the alternator to a shop and they put new bearings in, turned the armature and replaced the diodes, brush and regulator assy. Put it all together and its run for many years with no problems. I still have the receipt if you need futher proof. This was done in 1999 or 2000 I believe.

If you do not like the prices I paid then you can pound sand A$$ but your post was not needed nor appreciated! If you have a problem with me then PM me!

JoeA

RoninLB · 09-27-2004, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brent 930
. I just took it out and it's not a Paris Rhone yet a VALEO, also made in France. I heard the VALEO isn't very good?

so you have the internal reg upgrade ?

mb911 · mb911's Garage

Wow I did not get a bad vibe from loren and he often helps everybody on the board. I think it was a general statement.

Ben

Rot 911 · 09-27-2004, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa

If you do not like the prices I paid then you can pound sand A$$ but your post was not needed nor appreciated! If you have a problem with me then PM me!
JoeA

Amen to that Joe!

Joeaksa · 09-27-2004, 09:41 AM

Ben,

A lot of us help a lot of people on the board. The cost of living in the midwest is a lot cheaper than it is on the left coast. I was living in Dallas at that time and comparing prices there to the left coast is not reasonable.

Calling anyone's work "junk" is just not needed unless it really is and is proven. Talking about "motorscheister" is one thing but I never put the name of the overhaul shop in my post so it was just mud slung out there for no reason.

I watched the guy do the work and he was very good. I also had quotes for over $200 to overhaul the same alternator and the result would have been the same, a new parts set and hopefully a long lasting and well working alternator.

Joe

Jdub · 09-27-2004, 09:47 AM

So it's a Valeo with an internal VR if memory serves.

You can get very good results with a rebuild. Depends on what is left of the slip ring, etc. May simply be that the brushes have worn down and are not contacting the ring.

Do not forget that an overly tight belt to the fan/alt. can have dire consequences on the bearing. You might have that checked as well.

Cost for my rebuild was about $120.00 locally. Turned it around very quickly and has worked like a charm since.

John

Brent 930 · 09-27-2004, 09:56 AM

I guess? I can take it off and there is a replacement for it. As for the belt I don't think it was too tight but I could be wrong. I'm going to change the VR out and see what happens. It would be a shame if the whole alternator is bad after just 2 years. Couldn't Porsche do any better than that? It get's to a point where fixing your car on a monthly bases just isn't worth the great ride.

Joeaksa · 10:08 AM

Brent,

2 years is about par if you are driving 35,000 miles a year, which is not average. Most of these Valeo alternators I have seen go usually last about 70-75k miles, which is about 6 years of normal use.

Would still like to see yours put on a bench and tested. This would find out what the issue is with the unit and why its failing. Even if you find a bad regulator I would still look long and hard at the bearings and brushes.

If you decide to do this please call around as there is a big difference in shops and what they charge. This is not rocket science and should not cost much more than $100 depending on what is done. First two shops I called wanted more than $200 then I found one that could care less what it came out of, they just overhauled alternators. DO NOT say "it is a Porsche alternator" unless you have to as most times they increase the cost at this point! Just tell them that you have a Valeo 95 amp alternator that needs bench checking and possibly overhauling...

They are not that expensive and as long as you have the puppy out you might as well do it right. This time if overhauled correctly it should last for many years to come.

JoeA