Alternator gone. Rebuild or buy used to save $
 

I'm currently unemployed but want the car working right for long-term. Am i safe to buy a used Alternator or rebuild it? Can I get away with putting in a newer Alternator from newer vehicle or for 85.5 am i stuck with early 85.5 and older alternator? What does anyone recommend. Not sure how much rebuild should cost either and want to save money?

What's wrong with the alternator? Bearing issues, or just charging issues. Fortunately for me I had charging issues, and I replaced the voltage regulator. Got it from AutoZone 35 bucks vs 112 from dealer. When things get a little better I'll get the alternator rebuilt.

Tim,
First I need to ask if you have made all the tests on the "bad" alternator?

Checklist:
What are the symptoms? Is it the idiot light? Is it a dead battery?
Check belt tension
Take out and take to local parts store to test.
How is your battery? How old is the battery?
If the alternator is bad when tested out of the car, take out the volgtage regulator. If the brushes are 1/4 inch long or LESS, it may just be the VR. VR can be gotten for $25 to $35.
Have you cleaned ALL the battery connections and ALL grounds. The neg cable end is above the bell housing.

OK, you have done all this.
I bought a 115 amp rebuilt alt on EBay. Normal is 90 amp. I wanted a slightly bigger alt due to the age of the copper wires-more resistance and age of electical stuff like fuel pump drawing more current. $99 plus ship.

Rebuild it yourself? Only is the VR will fix it. Otherwise it could be a weak/bad diode and you are wasting your time. Look at a Bosch VW alt rebuild info:
http://www.3dzubehor.com/Rover/Boschrepair.html

I see you are in Vancouver. Shipping/duty could be expensive.

GL
John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

I had the towtruck just tow it straight to a shop down the road from me. Battery is brand new but could be the regulator? I'll wait to see what the shop says but hoping to find a cheap alternator myself and since it's there just have them throw it in. The only rebuild i've been able to find in the area is $300! Might be better to try my luck gambling on a used one? I'll check eBay. You got one on eBay that was a rebuilt for $99?

I have a brand new still in the box 115 amp alternator available for $50. If you want it email me at:

jmd_forest@yahoo.com

I just went through the same issue. I took mine to the local generator shop.
They rebuilt mine, Including new bearings and voltage regulator, for $40.
Looks and works like new.
OTR

Sent you an email. how much to ship and will it for sure fit my 85.5? what's the part number of it. Once they get mine out i'll get the part number to be sure i'm getting hte correct one... i hear theirs two options and since i'm in the middle of early and late 944 i'm not sure which one mine is?

i put a 928 alternator that puts out 120 amps. its around the same cost and itle handle anything you throw at it. my alternator was noisy due to its shaft.

The early alts are different. When mine died (about 12 years or so ago) I found one from a 924 Turbo. The bearings were the same, so I took the bearings out of the 931 alt and put them in the 944 alt with the help of a buddy of mine. We called the resulting alternator "Frankenstator" and it's still going string today. I actually pull it regularly and oil the bearings. I've changed the brushes/regulator a couple of times but it's become a game now to see how long it lasts.

I have ensured that I will never have an alternator failure on my 944 by purchasing a used one and having it rebuilt by a local shop. It's still sitting on the shelf in my garage. (not for $50 though - I live in the wrong area!)

I would pull the regulator and look at the brushes; usually the brushes wear out before the rest of the alt. and that is a cheap/easy fix. I'd recommend going with a Transpo regulator if you have the time to order one because it kicks the voltage up to around 14.5 or so to keep your battery better charged.

nate

I had the same problem couple months back, put ad in Pelican looking for a good used one, John @ apartabove dot com sent me one for something like 60 bucks shipped. Took my old one off and had it rebuilt for a spare, if/when the one on there know goes I'll do the same thing again. Rebuild cost me $50 - but my brother in law runs a starter/alternator shop.

rebuild or buy rebuilt!