Alternator issue

[SlowDr1v3r]

What's up guys. So car (2000 s4) was running fine. Then when I was leaving the gym battery light was on and voltage was just over 10 so drove it a few blocks to get the car to a parking spot. I do have a system in the car but nothing crazy and does have a capacitor. If I turn it up really high(rare) it sees the same voltage as if the a/c was on high 12s, low 13s. So it does seem like it is the alternator but I just wanted to know if there is anything else I can check before I spend 300ish on an alternator. Fuses or continuity between the power wire etc. And also read that I have to check what brand alternator I have before I order the new one but no answer on how to know which one it is. Any help would be great. Thanks guys

[SpooledUpS4]

When I first bought my car (2001.5 s4) it had similar issues, the alternator was the issue for me. If your lights and electrical equipment malfunction of flicker under a high load then it's probably your alternator not keeping up. Before you spend 300 on an alternator, check to see if the serpentine belt is cracked or not in the right place, it could be slipping. Also here's the alternator I bought, not too expensive but not cheap:
https://www.ecstuning.com/ES259915/?..._bmRoCoFHw_wcB
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Also if you are willing to do the job at home, do it. After you get the bumper off it's fairly easy, while going to a mechanic will cost an arm and a leg.

-Vishwa

[SlowDr1v3r]

Thanks man. Yeah that's the one I was looking at. And belt doesn't look like it's in the best shape but I don't think enough to slip. No cracks etc. And yeah gonna do it at home. Did you remove the whole front or just the bumper and other little things?

[SpooledUpS4]

I took off the whole front bumper with the radiator, radiator fan, a.c. condenser, and disconnected all the hoses (mostly coolant hoses). I also replaced the tensioner at the same time, since its fairly cheap and it's literally right there. Its not that hard of a job, but getting the new belt on was a pain. Also have patience when you take and put the alternator back in, it might take some time but it'll make sure nothing around it will break. Other than that it's fairly straight forward. There are DIYs on how to do it. It took me a week with an hour a day, since I'm in school and have a job, it took me a lot longer than most. Some can change it in 45 minutes.

[SlowDr1v3r]

Yeah it'll probably take me a while since I like to take my time with everything. Thanks a lot for the help. If you don't mind me asking did you drain the ac system or does it have a valve or something to not let everything leak out?

[erykv1]

just swing the condenser over to the passenger side, no need to disconnect for an alternator job.

[SlowDr1v3r]

Ooo ok thanks. So I can just order that valeo or should I get the old one out first to get the same one? Some people were saying the connector and mounting points didn't match or something.

[erykv1]

Ooo ok thanks. So I can just order that valeo or should I get the old one out first to get the same one? Some people were saying the connector and mounting points didn't match or something.

I would pull yours out first to verify. I believe the only differences were in the pulleys. Valeo needs a valeo pulley, and a bosch needs a bosch one. I dont think they are interchangeable.

I dont want to spread misinformation, but I believe in 00 they used valeo, but in 2001.5 they switched to the bosch units with a slightly different amperage rating.

[SlowDr1v3r]

Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying. I was confused because every thread said something different. Yeah I'll pull the old one out before anything. Thanks again guys. And there's nothing I should check before swapping the alternator right? No fuses or wiring?