To Bosch or not to Bosch...
 

Hey All! This is my first post! What a great site this is! My name is Alan and I am from Fort Lauderdale. After reading a review about an 89 convertible being the closest thing to driving a jet 2 feet off the ground I decided to give it a try. I've had my 89 convertible for a little over a year. As soon as I got it home, I changed all of the belts and battery. Last year went by without incident. Last week all power quickly leached out while I was driving at about 45 mph. Half of the idiot lights came on and then slowly dimmed. My girlfriend showed up and attempted to jump the car, it was successful but then quickly drained down and stalled. I towed it home and pulled the alternator out and went to a local Parts retailer, picked up the appropriate model and installed it. It killed a new battery within 15 minutes. The new alternator is a Duralast, personally I think they should change the name of the company to Doesnotlast. I pulled the new alternator and brought it in to the place I purchased it from to have them test it. Sure enough it was bad, at the same time, I swapped out the damaged battery, my question is, is there a preferred brand of alternator that seems to have a higher rate of reliablility? I was refunded completely for the core and alternator. Bosch appears to be made with quality, but I am uncertain as to which companys' offer truly reliable alternators. I tried Napa and they remanufactuer alternators themselves, up in Atlanta, Discount Auto Parts and Bennett sells only remanufacteured Alternators from a company called Worldwide. Autozone carries the Duralast and Pep Boys can get me a Bosch in about 5 days. Any light any of you might be able to shed will be greatly appreciated.


Kindest Regards,

Alan

from what ive heard and read on the forum is that all there alternators are refurbished POS, try n get one from someone thats in the For sale section

and i envy u for having an s5 vert meh

At this point in my life, I wouldn't suggest taking an alternator out of a parts store without having it tested first. In the circle of cars I work on (not all mine), I've seen more than one alternator come out of a parts store bad (as in, doesn't charge at all).

If you're interested, I have a stock S4 alternator (tested out fine) laying in my garage looking for a home.

-=Russ=-

Buy an FD alternator, you'll have a stronger electrical system and you'll have a newer alternator.