View Poll Results: Have you had to replace your alternator on your 951?
Yes
21
42.86%
No
28
57.14%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll
Have you had to replace your alternator?
11-29-2006, 03:01 AM
#1
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Have you had to replace your alternator?
After asking a few mechanics, they have said they have never replaced an alternator on a 944. I have recently replaced mine and about a month later the bosch rebuilt crapped out on me. Just curious about how has had trouble
11-29-2006, 03:09 AM
#2
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Originally Posted by chris951
After asking a few mechanics, they have said they have never replaced an alternator on a 944. I have recently replaced mine and about a month later the bosch rebuilt crapped out on me. Just curious about how has had trouble
11-29-2006, 03:30 AM
#3
Nordschleife Master
One morning, on my way to work, I noticed that the "I" warning light came on when I tried to crank my car. As I revved it up, the light dissapeared. I didn't think much of it at first, I just figured the battery was low, even though it was showing a 12v charge.
The next day we did a club drive up to Cypress mountian. I followed a Ford GT and was ripping it as hard as I could.. really high RPMs. Anyways we got to the parking lot at the top, (4000' asl) and the car was idling funny with the "I" light on. So I shut it off. OOPS. I could not restart it.. the battery was pretty much dead. We push started it and it ran for about 500' and then died again. Had to call a tow truck.
I lucked out, one of my buddies had a freshly rebuilt alternator that he gave me, and I took a Saturday to switch out the alternators. (very easy job, actually...)
Works like a charm now!!!! (belt squeals a little when wet.. gotta tighten it maybe..)
The next day we did a club drive up to Cypress mountian. I followed a Ford GT and was ripping it as hard as I could.. really high RPMs. Anyways we got to the parking lot at the top, (4000' asl) and the car was idling funny with the "I" light on. So I shut it off. OOPS. I could not restart it.. the battery was pretty much dead. We push started it and it ran for about 500' and then died again. Had to call a tow truck.
I lucked out, one of my buddies had a freshly rebuilt alternator that he gave me, and I took a Saturday to switch out the alternators. (very easy job, actually...)
Works like a charm now!!!! (belt squeals a little when wet.. gotta tighten it maybe..)
11-29-2006, 03:45 AM
#4
Three Wheelin'
I replaced mine with a new one and haven't had any issues. Are rebuilt ones significantly cheaper? I'd just buy new and save the hassles for some other convoluted area of the car. 
Mechanics saying they've never had to replace one is kind of a misleading statement. By default, I can't think of a single alternator that wouldn't eventually wear out. That's just the physical reality of it.
Mechanics saying they've never had to replace one is kind of a misleading statement. By default, I can't think of a single alternator that wouldn't eventually wear out. That's just the physical reality of it.
11-29-2006, 09:50 AM
#5
Three Wheelin'
I have had mine rebuilt twice in eight years. They wear out over time, no surprise there. The first time was just a "while I am in there" thing. The second time it was dead.
11-29-2006, 10:42 AM
#6
Race Director
99% sure mines original, but Ive replaced the voltage regulator twice. Once with a crappy adj. unit that lasted all of 4-5k miles and lastly with a OE Bosch replacement.
11-29-2006, 11:08 AM
#7
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With my old 944, I had one with a knocking bearing (thought it was a rod knock, thankfully NOT, still charged good, still have it somewhere) and replaced it with a used alternator off Ebay. With the 951, I replaced the voltage regulator while rebuilding the engine just as preventative maintenance. 99% of the the time, that's all that goes wrong with these things.
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11-29-2006, 07:23 PM
#9
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replaced mine last winter.
It was the voltage regulator trhat was busted, but since i had a rebuilt one sitting in my room for....3 years, i went ahead and installed it..
It was the voltage regulator trhat was busted, but since i had a rebuilt one sitting in my room for....3 years, i went ahead and installed it..
11-30-2006, 02:26 PM
#11
Hey Man
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When they do fail, 80+% of the time they just need a new voltage regulator or carbon brushes until someone overtightens the drive belt; then the damage is bearings and the armature. The original alternator on the BMW is at 208K miles w/ the 1st voltage regulator replaced last Summer...Bosch does build them stout.
