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Bosch starters Warning

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

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ptV70
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Bosch starters Warning

Post by ptV70 »

The starter on my wife's 2007 S60 2.5T died. I ordered a remanufactured Bosch #3600 3222 from FCPEuro. New ones were not available. The replacement starter did not work. FCP was very good about sending a second, and then a third. Yep, 2 out of 3 Bosch starters were defective. Our mechanic was nice enough to only charge us for 2 of the 3 install fees ($127.55 each time).
I called Bosch and asked that they provide my wife with a credit toward future parts to make good this string of failed starters.
No dice. They don't believe their customers and won't do anything for you. They certainly don't stand behind these 3600 3222 starters!
So Beware!

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BlackBart
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Post by BlackBart »

WUT is happening to our reliable German parts manufacturer?? Are are they farming some production out to outside subcontractors in unnamed countries?
ex-1984 245T wagon
1994 850T5 wagon
2004 XC70 wagon BlackBetty

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Krons
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Post by Krons »

If I recall right I got one from Napa on my S60, Carquest on my C70. Both were reman and had lifetime warranty.
08 S602.5T/05 XC902.5T/02 S602.4T
08 C702.5T (sold)
05 S402.4i (RIP, timing belt failure)
The non-Swedes:
25 Mazda MX-5 / 17 Frontier Pro-4X / 17 Ford Focus
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scot850
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Post by scot850 »

Warranties are a good sales tool, but no substitute for a solid remanufactured part. Part warranty does not pay for labor costs.

Most of the reman'd Bosch stuff is now done in Mexico. They used to be done in Canada or US for sale in these countries.

I'm convinced all remans are done in the same backstreet sweatshop, with the same lack of testing and garbage replacement parts.

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

dikidera
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Post by dikidera »

scot850 wrote: 14 May 2024, 11:00 Warranties are a good sales tool, but no substitute for a solid remanufactured part. Part warranty does not pay for labor costs.

Most of the reman'd Bosch stuff is now done in Mexico. They used to be done in Canada or US for sale in these countries.

I'm convinced all remans are done in the same backstreet sweatshop, with the same lack of testing and garbage replacement parts.

Neil.
You mean brand new. There is no substitute for a brand new original part.

vtl
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Post by vtl »

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007Y85MFE DB Electrical SBO0047 $85.39 brand new, you are welcome

$127.55? For what, for like 4 easily accessible bolts? 5 maybe, I forgot.

scot850
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Post by scot850 »

If you can afford a brand new part, hopefully they are still good. A friend recently bought an Amazon 'new' alternator and it lasted about 2 weeks. If I can find a good repair shop for starters and alternators locally I would rather use them. Used to have a good one here, but guy decided to retire!

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

vtl
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Post by vtl »

I looked at the Bosch remanufactured starter with paint sprayed over visible rust for like $300 and decided to try that cheap $65 Amazon starter. It is new, made in US, advertised for Volvo trucks, but fits our five-bangers. A few years later I put the same starter into the car I drive now, and it was another 5 happy years with no starter concerns at all. The starter is actually a bit bigger and heavier than the stock one, but that's a good thing.

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Krons
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Post by Krons »

scot850 wrote: 14 May 2024, 11:00 Warranties are a good sales tool, but no substitute for a solid remanufactured part. Part warranty does not pay for labor costs.

Most of the reman'd Bosch stuff is now done in Mexico. They used to be done in Canada or US for sale in these countries.

I'm convinced all remans are done in the same backstreet sweatshop, with the same lack of testing and garbage replacement parts.

Neil.
Fortunately starter replacement isn’t too bad on a Volvo 5-cyl. I’d agree they are likely done in same place as there isn’t a lot of high technology in a starter. I like OEM but could not justify the significant cost difference for the Bosch.
08 S602.5T/05 XC902.5T/02 S602.4T
08 C702.5T (sold)
05 S402.4i (RIP, timing belt failure)
The non-Swedes:
25 Mazda MX-5 / 17 Frontier Pro-4X / 17 Ford Focus
17 R1200GS / 15 Versys 1000 / 11 DR-Z400S / 07 R1200GSA

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abscate  
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Post by abscate »

Bosch remanufactired got outsourced years ago.

Electrical stuff is best rebuilt by a good auto shop, not replaced with the mass remanufactured stuff.

With my fleet, I keep good OE reman stuff on my shelf
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A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
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