Looking for an Alternator

[gautam]

Looking for a cheap alternator, looking for input if you've had to change your alternator, let me know where you bought it from and how much you paid for it.

If I go through an Audi dealer, its $950 + $150 core charge.

If I get them to do the labor as well the part comes down to $600 plus $900 for labor.

If I get it done through my regular shop its $600 in labor (6 hours) but they're still hunting for the part, on the websites they regularly use, the alternator is listed as dealer only.

genuineaudiparts has it for $740, ECS has it for $700, europaparts has it for $664, a website called hansautoparts has it for $530 and surprisingly, Amazon has a re-manufactured one for $250 and its Prime eligible wtf? The Amazon filter says it is compatible with my 04 S4 but I can't find an Audi part number anywhere which scares me a little, have a look:

https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Built...rds=alternator

Any input would be much appreciated, it anyone has a used one let me know!

[AllroadMass]

They're all reman I would think and I would stay away from the amazon one. I would hate to put one in and having to do it again in a few months. Put a good part in there so you know it's good for the long haul. It will take you 2 hours to take off the bumper and radiator. Then you have full frontal of the alternator. You can do belt and tensioner while you're in there.

http://parts.audifortmyers.com/p/Aud...wd=&origin=pla

Seems like a crazy job but it's not that bad. Mine looks like this at the moment:https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5...FdaN3dRTk9wM2M
I actually thought about doing the alternator while I was here but why fix it if it's not broken. Plus it will only take me less than 2 hours to get it full frontal again.

[gautam]

Thanks!

Problem is I can't do the work myself :(

Just moved to a new apartment complex, still unpacking and all. She's my daily driver so I need a quick turnaround, I usually take my time when I work on my car lol, plus the Audi dealership can give me a free loaner so I'm leaning towards them.

I have a sneaking suspicion its the voltage regulator not the alternator because I've noticed starting troubles for more than a week now. In the mornings it takes a little longer than normal to start up, and it sometimes happens when I get in my car to leave work. I highly doubt that she's been running on a battery that hasn't been getting recharged for that long.

Anyways, didn't take her to work today, gonna drop her off at the shop later today for a quick diagnostic, fingers crossed its just the voltage regulator and no the alternator :S

[AllroadMass]

get one of these and you'll know for sure if it's the alternator

https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-BT...ernator+tester

[gautam]

get one of these and you'll know for sure if it's the alternator

https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-BT...ernator+tester

Nice! And since its Prime I can just return it after I use it lol.

[chain_slappins4]

Nice! And since its Prime I can just return it after I use it lol.

I don't know where your located, but in NJ, there is a place called Middlesex armature service.. for $135.00 he will rebuild your alternator to factory specs within an hour.. maybe have your Mechanic pull the alternator and FedEx it to M.A.S., they should be able to send it back out the same day..

Sent from the S4 with a Tap!!!

[BCsniper]

Getting your old alternator rebuilt will be the cheapest option if you can find a place that will do a water-cooled alternator.

Other than that, lots of them I've seen are in the $550-750 range for a new replacement.

It will take you 2 hours to take off the bumper and radiator.

It shouldn't take near that long to get the rad support off, unless maybe it's the person's first time doing it.

Also, you can get the alternator out without actually removing the core support. Just get it into service position and you can get it to fit, however it is quite a bit more difficult trying to wrangle it free with the limited work space. I did it about 4-5 times with my first S4. It was a bitch but it saves you from draining the coolant, power steering fluid, and discharging the AC

[gautam]

Getting your old alternator rebuilt will be the cheapest option if you can find a place that will do a water-cooled alternator.

Other than that, lots of them I've seen are in the $550-750 range for a new replacement.



It shouldn't take near that long to get the rad support off, unless maybe it's the person's first time doing it.

Also, you can get the alternator out without actually removing the core support. Just get it into service position and you can get it to fit, however it is quite a bit more difficult trying to wrangle it free with the limited work space. I did it about 4-5 times with my first S4. It was a bitch but it saves you from draining the coolant, power steering fluid, and discharging the AC

I've put her into the service position before but I work on the car at a coworkers place since he has a lot of tools and he knows more than I know about working on cars. He just doesn't have the time right now and I can't wait a few weeks till he has a free weekend to work on the car with me. It's my daily driver so I need her back in my life :D

Thanks for the info on the shop in NJ, I'm down in TX but it may be worth a shot. The car is currently with Audi being thoroughly diagnosed, if it is the alternator and not the voltage regulator like I suspect, I'll get my car over to my regular shop (not an Audi stealership) and have them take the alternator out to give to M.A.S. gonna call them right now for a quote.

[BCsniper]

If you live around a metro area I'm sure you can find a local alternator shop that can do the rebuild. $150 seems to be the going rate I've heard 3-4 times on here before. Getting it done local would save you on shipping since those things are pretty damn heavy.

[gautam]

If you live around a metro area I'm sure you can find a local alternator shop that can do the rebuild. $150 seems to be the going rate I've heard 3-4 times on here before. Getting it done local would save you on shipping since those things are pretty damn heavy.

I'm calling a few places right now, fingers crossed someone local is able to fix it.

If anyone knows of a shop in Dallas (or even Austin/Houston) please let me know!

[gautam]

Same answer from every shop: "we can't source parts for that alternator"

Called Middlesex armature service in NJ and they said the same thing actually, the guy was like "that isn't one of them water cooled alternators is it?" as soon as I said yes he said "sorry man you're out of luck, we can't get parts for them.

[gautam]

Got an interesting call from the Audi dealership this morning. They ran diagnostics on her and couldn't find anything wrong with the battery or alternator. They even kept her overnight and started her up in the morning and she fired right up. I'm not sure what's going on because 2 separate Autozone's as well as my regular mechanic tested it and all 3 said the alternator wasn't charging the battery properly. I'll be picking my car up later today and well, if I'm stranded at the side of the highway because my car cut out, I'll know exactly who to sue lol.