Alternator Replacement

brett25 · brett25's Garage

Hi. I was wondering what is a typical time and amount for a repair shop to charge for replacing an alternator. I want to verify that what my mechanic is charging for labor is the correct amount. I figure some of you have experience and a good sense for this sort of job. Thanks very much!

AFJuvat · 08-12-2002, 05:20 PM

About 1.5 hours of labor and about $299 for a rebuilt bosch alternator.

AFJuvat

brett25 · brett25's Garage

I see. My mechanic wants $300.00 just for the labor! Now I think hes overcharging me (no pun intended). Im going to try this repair myself. It looks pretty straightforward. Any snags to look out for?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

How did you determine that the entire alternator needed to be replaced? Usually it's just the regulator; a $20 item.

You can get a regulator that's adjustable so you can tweak in the voltage to cover high draw items like stereos and H4 lamps. Something that the "standard" regulators fall sort of.

brett25 · brett25's Garage

Hi SoCAL. The mechanic made that determination and told me over the phone. Im just going to get the car home and see whats up with it. How can you tell if its the regulator and not the alternator?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

What year is it?

There is a simple test with a volt meter that involves temporarily shorting past the regulator to test the alternators ability to put out at least 15 volts.

On the early 944's there is a round hole in the back that you can stick a screw driver through and short a metal tab to the case of the alternator for not longer than it takes to measure the peak voltage.

I would think there is such a method for the later alternators. Since these have a plastic shroud on the back for better ventilation I'm not sure where the test point is.

As far as your mechanic is concerned it is best for him to just replace the whole alternator than to test and just replace the regulator if that is all that is required. Been there done that.

How do you feel about doing your own repairs?

brett25 · brett25's Garage

Do you think $300 is steep for the labor? Im thinking I may just go and buy a good used bosch alternator for $75.00 and swap it in myself. This way Im covering the regulator and the alternator at the same time for $75.00. What kind of job is it? From the manuals it looks pretty easy to do. I have to get the air cleaner assembly out of the way. Then maybe Ill have enough room to work. Any ideas?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Are we to assume that your present alternator doesn't charge at all?

Why buy a used one and get the same problem?

Again: What is the year of your car?

In many cases you may not have to remove the alternator to replace the regulator. But you do have to disconnect the battery.

brett25 · brett25's Garage

yes, the charging system is not charging the battery at all. nada. The car runs off the battery untill theres no juice left. I figure a used one that is working, is well, working. Why pay $300 dollars for a rebuilt one if I can get one for $75? also i will be getting a different regulator as well.
Sorry, 1987 n/a

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

I will need to go out to the garage tomorrow and take the shroud off of the later model alternator that I have to find the test location. This will tell you if the alternator core is good. Then you only need a regulator. A big plus is that this is the "larger" of the 944 alternators.

If you must get a used alternator get a new regulator too.

AFJuvat · 08-13-2002, 07:17 AM

If you get a new alternator, make sure it is really a bosch rebuilt alternator - meaning it comes in a bosch box with the warranty card etc - a lot of shops sell them rebuilt, but not by bosch - they wind up lasting about 3 - 4 months (ask me how I know this...)

AFJuvat

eligunn · 08-13-2002, 07:55 AM

Unplug the MAf, undo the clamp that connects it to the throttle body, remove the four bolts that hold the airbox in place, disconnect the hose that goes to the timing belt cover, and pull the airbox and the maf out together exposing the alternator.

divezic · divezic's Garage

Unfortunately when poeple see Porsche they assume we have money gushing out of our trust fund. I hate to say it but unless I have a professional relationship with a mechanic, I assume they are a crook (my sincerest apologies to 90% of the top-notch, honest, auto repair professionals who do not swindle their customers).

$300 for labor is very high. A Porsche dealership charges about $100/hour labor. An alternator change should be 1.5 hours.

Truth be told, an alternator change is not that difficult. Haynes has a pretty good write-up on it and you have a bunch of guys here that give free advice (and you sometimes get what you pay for).

bigyagi · bigyagi's Garage

hmm, seems a bit much to me-$300. i got my alternator rebuilt locally, for $185 canadian {i think thats roughly$10us!!!} and a one year warranty. nothing too tricky, although the air conditioning system has a few bolts that run close to the alternator holding bolts.
only tricky part was the one bolt{right in the corner, of course} inside the air-box, that was a pig to get at. finally ended up using a 3 inch lengh of 1/4 inch square rod as an extension, and voila! all told, about 2hours to take out, and refit! good luck, regards, bob.

eligunn · 08-13-2002, 04:43 PM

You don't have to seperate the air box from the maf to get it out of the way. It's much easier to take them both out together.

todwic · todwic's Garage

The A/C is a %^*&@$%^ when yer changing the alt.
I did mine when it was 22° outside...it suct.

brett25 · brett25's Garage

Thanks for the replies guys! I had the alternator out in less than an hour! Im really glad that I decided to do this myself. Now its off to the parts place to swap with a rebuilt one and then hopefully another hour to get it back in. Its not only about saving money, but the more I work on a car myself the better I understand it and the better the relationship with it too!
Brett

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

The 944's have become a "hobby car" in that it's repair is usually in the hands of it's owner. Two reasons; the artificially high cost of repair because it's a "Porsche" and the joy of accomplishment we derive from fixing our own cars (even though our reason is the high cost of repairs).

I like it this way as it keeps the driver/owner base sincere.

Check the charging voltage when you get it started. Should be at or very close to 14VDC. And don't over tighten the poly rib belt.

brett25 · brett25's Garage

PS I decided to go with a rebuilt unit from Bosch. Its always a nice feeling to be putting new parts back into the car.

The rebuilt alternator comes minus the pulley fan. Any advice on how to get that off. Can I wedge it with a screwdriver and then crack that 24mm nut?
Brett

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Long large screw driver though the pulley cooling fins on the ground/slab/floor and put your foot on it. Put a short socket on a breaker bar and turn the nut counter clock wise. Trick is to make a "V" with the screw driver and breaker bar so that you are pushing the breaker bar toward the screw driver.

You may bend a fin or two but these can be straightened.