2003 XC70 Alternator Replacement/ bad bearing

anasvall · Post by **anasvall** » 29 Jan 2014, 21:25

I live close to a junkyard that has a salvaged 2000 Volvo S70 Sedan. Now my question is, although our cars take a 160 amp alternator, would my car run correctly on a 120 amp alternator without much trouble? I ask this because every part on the S70 looks to be in excellent shape and I'd rather go with OE than aftermarket for something like this. I done a cross reference of part numbers from advanceautoparts.com and found that the Bosch AL0805X 120Amp is used on the S70 and scrolling on down the 120/140/160 Amp listings for the XC70, I found that there is a Bosch AL0805X 120Amp listed as an "exact fit" for my car. The S70 is non-turbo 2.3, but appears to have the same flange configuration and same voltage regulator. Just thought i'd ask before I mess something up electrically. Thanks!

Post by **JDS60R** » 29 Jan 2014, 21:34

Your only 15 min from a good re-builder. The 120 will fit and run but has less power to replenish the battery when in heavy use AC/headlights and blower fan on etc.

How much for the used one ( remember it has old bearings, regulator, brushes etc) ?

anasvall · Post by **anasvall** » 29 Jan 2014, 22:02

The used one will only run 20 bucks from the salvage yard. It has been sitting with nothing removed except the power steering pump that I previously had taken. The hood luckily has been shut the whole time since it has been here. The rebuilder says 148 bucks to rebuild the one I have. Refurbished one from O'reillys says 200 once my wholesale account kicks in (Toyota Parts Assistant Manager). I use my heated seats quite a bit but nothing else really.

Post by **JDS60R** » 30 Jan 2014, 09:59

Always nice to have an extra for 20 bucks. I would rebuild the old one in case I wasn't satisfied with the 120 or to have something when it dies. If the used one has more than 90K miles on it I wouldn't bother with the used one and just rebuild/have rebuilt the original one.

Post by **jimmy57** » 30 Jan 2014, 12:01

Are you sure your XC70 has a 160A unit?
I did a crankcase vent system repair on a 2004 a couple of weeks ago and it had a 120A and was a cold weather package car.

Post by **JDS60R** » 30 Jan 2014, 14:27

My 04 xc has a 140 amp 0 124 525 029 and is cold weather pack

anasvall · Post by **anasvall** » 31 Jan 2014, 15:23

I'm not sure if my car does have a 160A unit or not. I was asked by volvo which one I thought it could be so I chose the highest of the 3. Hopefully mine is a lower amperage unit. How can you tell what amperage it has?

anasvall · Post by **anasvall** » 31 Jan 2014, 15:30

I just called volvo again and they told me it was a 140A according to the VIN. Would I be in too much trouble using a potential 120A unit?

anasvall · Post by **anasvall** » 01 Feb 2014, 06:23

my thoughts are that if your P2 XC had a 120A and basically all the XC's have similar equipment, I don't see why running a 120A alternator in a 140A config would matter. That's just me putting that out there. I could be completely wrong.

Post by **jimmy57** » 01 Feb 2014, 07:54

The sizing of alternators is done based on idling charge level and not on full capacity. The full capacity is always overkill. The idling charge rate became important when electrical loads from gadgets and lighting got so invasive in cars. 120A unit has idling charge rate of about 70A as I recall and 140A one has 75A or so. If your car sees lots of short trips with headlights, wipers, fan, seat heaters, and rear window defroster + mirror heat then the 120A may not be enough. City livers and drivers are the ones whose cars would kill batteries in winter time with their normal driving routines before they started upsizing charging systems.