Alternator B6 (2004) S4 - Impossible to find?

[Kstartype]

Anybody able to help me with finding an alternator, my just went to crap and I am really having a tough time finding a replacement that isn't $900, any refurb shops are welcome, especially in Eastern/Central PA, NJ, NY, CT. I believe mine is a Hitachi... But Delphi seems to make one too. Are they interchangeable? Are there any others? I called a specialty Audi/VW shop and the guy had no idea that it needed a 190 amp alternator, so I am running out of options.

[road race s4]

Sorry I can't help you finding a new one but on car-part.com there are two used ones for sale right now. One for $200 and one for $125. And there are a few from 2005 s4's which I'm sure they will also fit. Another option is to take it to an alternator/starter shop and have it rebuilt.

[J0HN_R1]

If your car is a 2004, it almost guaranteed has the Delphi (part # 079-903-021DX).

Good luck, I just went thru this about 2 weeks ago (took 2 weeks of hard searching).

I ended up getting mine from Audi, the LA parts depot...

FWIW, your cost for the Delphi unit should be about $550 USD (what I was quoted from numerous US Audi dealers).

I got mine for less than $800 Cnd...

* And JoeyCuacaro has a used one for sale also...

[Kstartype]

according to my mechanic and the dealership i definitely need a Hitachi, where the hell are these. Any help?!

[B6JoeS4]

Call JHM. They will be able to help you out. (JHM= JH Motorsports)

[joeycuccaro]

I have one off my parts car for sale. A fraction of the cost of what you will find.

Email me at [email protected]

[joeycuccaro]

Hitachi's are used on the 2005. If you have an 04 you should need the Delphi (the one i have). They are just two different companies who make the alternator for the S4.

[B6JoeS4]

Joey, is it by build date or model year? mine is a 2005 but the build date is 11/04

[joeycuccaro]

All of the 2004's and some of the 2005's had the Delphi. Then in 2005 they switched to Hitachi and used them for a while.

There isn't a specific build date or vin split that i know of. Basically the only way to know is to look at the alternator itself to see which brand it is.

[Kstartype]

Alright gang, I believe I purchased a Used Delphi earlier according to car-parts its a grade A with less then 60K on it. I also purchased a Hitachi from a 2005 so the parts will be here in the next 3 days, I will keep get back to the post in a bit.

[J0HN_R1]

There isn't a specific build date or vin split that i know of...

It's somewhere around the 160,000 VIN-mark (last 6 digits) that they changed from Delphi to Hitachi, or mid-to-late '04 build dates...

I'm pretty sure on my info is good, after the 2-3 weeks of researching & searching I just did for mine...

Delphi = #079-903-021DX
Hitachi = #079-903-018X

[joeycuccaro]

It's somewhere around the 160,000 VIN-mark (last 6 digits) that they changed from Delphi to Hitachi, or mid-to-late '04 build dates...

I'm pretty sure on my info is good, after the 2-3 weeks of researching & searching I just did for mine...

Delphi = #079-903-021DX
Hitachi = #079-903-018X

Good information to know. This would be extremely helpful if we could narrow it down. Great work!

[BCsniper]

basically if yours died, you have a Delphi
I'm on my 3rd

[BASARAB]

ON GAP its $429

[Kstartype]

is GAP a site? $429 is pretty sweet if new

[BCsniper]

I highly doubt those ~$500 prices are new models, thats sounds right on the money on what a Refub. one costs. Used ones go 100-200 tops (I'd recommend not getting used, the one I bought was worthless)

[B6JoeS4]

Are the delphi and hitachi alternators not interchangeable?

[J0HN_R1]

Are the delphi and hitachi alternators not interchangeable?

I don't believe so. I think the connectors are different, and possibly the coolant hose placement/fittings as well.

But don't quote me on that one...

[B6JoeS4]

I don't believe so. I think the connectors are different, and possibly the coolant hose placement/fittings as well.

But don't quote me on that one...

I just did. wacha gonna do about it?

anyways, there is a very information thread that joeycuccaro made on euro addiction:
http://www.euro addiction.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4108 (remove space between euro and addiction)

[skyliner77]

look around locally, find a motor or alternator rebuild shop. they are still out there, and I find run a higher quality longer lasting more powerful alt than anything you'll buy. they can rebuild yours to your specs.

[BASARAB]

is GAP a site? $429 is pretty sweet if new

genuineaudiparts.com 079-903-021DX remanufactured

[Kstartype]

For everyone's reference here is a quote from the JHM guys.

"They have different coolant line connections and the Hitachi is a better unit. So unless you want to to downgrade to a Delphi you would have to change the coolant feedlines. They are water cooled."

[Jorgen]

Wow these prices are f'n crazy. This is like a $75-125 part new to the OEM even with the cooling. Service price to them whould be maybe 150% of that. Nice profit for AoA.

[BCsniper]

I highly recommend only buying a New or Refurbished unit. I bought a used one when I needed mine replaced and it didn't do anything despite being told it was good. A bench test of my first alt. said it was good too, which we KNEW wasn't the case. These alternators can be rebuilt, but only by good reputable shops. All the local ones I took mine to were pathetic. Nobody wants to deal with Audi alternators, let alone a Water Cooled one.

Since these Delphi's are known not be the most reliable, and not to mention replacing it is not the easiest job in the world (massive understatement); I'd advise not buying a used one and get one that you KNOW will work from JHM or another reputable Audi parts site.

[Kstartype]

the supposedly hitachi part is being put in today.

the DELPHI 190amp Alternator is up for Sale I have a 6month warranty on it as of October 6th 2010 (I assume its when they charged my credit card not delivered) The paperwork says its been pulled from a 04 S4 with 51,000 miles.

I personally make no guarantee, but again there is a warranty on it. Just trying to cover my purchase prices: Asking $175 total (includes shipping this 25lb beast)

[J0HN_R1]

Wow, I guess we'll wait and see...

[Kstartype]

UPDATE:

The hitachi I pulled from a 2005 was put in and works flawlessly- however, they had to slice one of the tubes to make it fit properly. My mechanic and I are working to have an alternator rebuild shop down the street learn how to rebuild the hitachi models using the part that did not work from my car I also was going to lend my delphi part to the shop for them to play around with. Anyway similar to JOHN_R1's story. It took about 2 weeks between finding the part getting it shipped and installing it which meant I too had to suck it up and rent a fine vehicle such as the dodge calibur -blah.

The good news though: Used Alternator:$180, labor:$250 + some other parts $50

and my mech solved a few other pending issues with the car: serpentine belt, cleaned out around the radiators since damn leaves like to pile up there, fixed a loose wire in my tail light, and added some freon which explains why my A/C sucked this summer.

[BCsniper]

2 weeks from the time you start looking for the part to when its installed and the car's running again is pretty decent. Usually most of that time will be spent finding the part and waiting on shipping.

however, they had to slice one of the tubes to make it fit properly.

So did you have a Delphi originally and were able to make the Hitachi work? If so, this would be the route I'd recommend people take.

oh and I wouldn't rely on that freon to solve your problem. Usually if you're low on freon its because your AC is on its way out if not already

[Kstartype]

Interesting. Ill keep tabs and start saving up for next summer.

I am certain it was the hitachi I already had. But I did buy the part off a 2005 S4 there was no specification if it was 2005 or 2005.5 the guy just said it was a 190 amp hitachi.

[B6JoeS4]

Almost all 2005 cars will have a Hitachi. my car is a 2005 that was built November '04 and I have the Hitachi.