Alternator amp'age

dark_stranger · Post by **dark_stranger** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:28 pm

Guy, driving the car and the battery light came on, the 4x4, airbags, etc and eventually the car died. I have been having issues for a while with the car not starting every few days, plus various light warning messages being diplayed on the dashboard. Anyway, called the AA out and eventually got home after limping me the 5 mile journey home, having to stop twice to re-charge the battery. Im now looking for a new alternator for my 04 Plate, 3.0 liter pertol E53. The AA guy say that as the current alternator is a 140amp one, I need to replace like for like. Is this the case?

scooby1doo1 · Post by **scooby1doo1** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:11 am

They do a 90-120 and 140 not 100% sure but if I remember right that's what the E53 comes with, I was having problems with mine a good few months back. In the end mine did what yours did, all dash lights came on then off but got me 100 yards home.
On the cluster I pulled battery volts up and was 10 volts and less, charged battery up and went to local garage.

Dealer wanted 700 plus quid or there abouts, and that's for the 140amp. I was going to take it but thought no way would it make a 14 mile trip, so it went to my local dudes and they charged me less than the dealer wanted just for the part and that was to supply and fit.
With out looking it was less than £300 and for a bosh part, but unsure what came out.
But if a 140 comes out then prob be best fitting a 140, but for all I know I could have a 90 in mine now.

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Raj · Post by **Raj** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 7:24 am

You should always fit the same if not stronger alternator otherwise you will end up having issues.

Been about a year and a half, but I used to have the same issue. Mine was an intermittent problem with the alternator as mine was ongoing for about 6 months and numerous visits to the dealers to try and sort. I'd be driving along the motorway at 80 and suddenly the dash lights would flick up and suddenly it would just cut out. I'd leave it for 15 minutes and then it would fire up like nothing wrong.

Dealer replaced the alternator and put in a new battery as a last resort as they still couldn't work out the issue and all sorted.

dark_stranger · Post by **dark_stranger** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:44 pm

Called stealership and they want £601 for alternator and 1hrs labour. They said it would be a 140amp replacement. Thats more than i am willing to pay! I have had conflicting reports that i could put a 150amp in if the car can regulate the ampage, others say it will fry parts of the electrics. Places like eurocarparts sell 120amp ones for £100/£200 and the only 140amp is £400 ish. Did read that the 120 would be ok for cars without heated seats, but for heated seats it needs to be 140amps? Anyone know where sells 140amp ones as even ebay has none.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:01 pm

As Raj said, it should be a like for like or you risk flat battery issues as the alternator will not be able to keep up. These cars use a lot of power for the standard electrics and by the time your electric fan cuts in, lights are on, heated rear window and heated mirrors etc you will be running the alternator flat out - which will shorten the life of the regulator (and battery).

Can you get a refurbished one? They're usually a good deal cheaper than buying new.

scooby1doo1 · Post by **scooby1doo1** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 2:56 am

eBay as this one 300669961570

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brewer · Post by **brewer** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 1:25 pm

Doesn't seem to be compatible with an X5?

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 4:02 pm

you could try a bmw breaker who could provide one with a warranty?

graemeX5 · Post by **graemeX5** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:26 pm

Hi not sure if you can do this but a mate had prob with a v5 golf an alternator was similar and our mechanic friend said take to local auto electician who are a Bosch service centre who re I'd brushes for approx 50 quid and it was like new.

So it may be worth looking around for a local Bosch service centre and see if they can help.

dark_stranger · Post by **dark_stranger** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 10:03 pm

I plan to get it off and take to reconditioning place so they can look at it as otherwise looking at about £300 with exchange. Then at least by getting it reconditioned, at leastbi know its the right one.

dark_stranger · Post by **dark_stranger** » Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:08 pm

Alternator now removed and plan to try and get unit reconditioned.

kkodal78 · Post by **kkodal78** » Mon Oct 08, 2012 12:26 am

Speaking of alternators; is there a good place yo get them refurbed for a decent price? A friend of mine has a merc A class which has the watercooled alternator and a new one is around £450 so refurbing would be the best option so is therr a place that can refurb it via posting it to them? Thanks and sorry for hijacking the thread

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dark_stranger · Post by **dark_stranger** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:34 pm

Another question, voltage now, found 140amp alternators, but they are all 12v, the one off my car is 14v. Can i put a 12v, 140amp unit on to replace a 14v, 140amp unit?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:50 pm

If it's really a 12V then no, your battery will not charge correctly. If they mean it's for a 12V car (instead of 24V for a truck as an example) then yes as that should put out a bit over 14V.

Richard

dark_stranger · Post by **dark_stranger** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:15 pm

Arrrrr why is everything so damn complicated, i just want to get an alternator so i can get the car back on the road.

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