1996 Volvo 850R New Alternator Replacement Recommendations

wackenhut · Post by **wackenhut** » 29 Jan 2025, 08:40

Hi,

Looks like my alternator needs to be replaced.
I took a picture and the alternator in the car is: Volvo Bosch 100A (0 123 505 014) 9162683
Not looking to spend a bunch of money, but I have noticed several for sale through stores on both amazon and ebay.
Anyone have any recommendations? Some I would think are rebuilt and if they are would like to know that the online store is reputable.
Also want to make sure it fits.
Any help is welcome.

Some I have seen on Amazon:
DB Electrical

Some I have seen on Ebay:
Total Power Parts

Thank you!!

Post by **scot850** » 29 Jan 2025, 14:06

Someone recently recommended a brand they have used successfully off Amazon. It might have been DB Electrical but don't quote me. I think it may have been cn90 possibly.

On the other hand a young guy I know bought an Amazon special alternator and it lasted 2 weeks before failing. His car is still running the junkyard one he pulled and fitted over a year ago. His car had a fairly recent Bosch rebuilt unit which had failed.

I took the Bosch unit to a local repair shop and found it was not a Bosch unit but a Bosch rebuild on a Denso unit. The repair shop turned out to be a Denso authorized shop and the guy there immediately recognized the unit was a Denso one. When he stripped it, the brushes has collapsed into dust and the bearings were bad. In the end he had difficulty finding good quality affordable parts so it ended up fully rebuilt with high quality parts but cost about $200 US. At least I have more faith in that rebuild than most out there.

If the bearings are not noisy, you can often get away with just replacing the voltage regulator section.

Neil.

Post by **jreed** » 30 Jan 2025, 05:40

It wasn't the cheapest ($276), but I put a 100A Bosch "factory-rebuilt" alternator in my '97 855 and it has been trouble free. I bought it from IPD in 2016.

Post by **Grantkat** » 30 Jan 2025, 06:50

DB electrical produced a pretty decent product in the early 2000's and they were well thought of. however around 2010ish (don't quote me on that) they began to introduce cheap parts in their builds/rebuilds and quality took a hit. I have never used one, I know someone who has and says their alts are hit or miss. The Indy (non-volvo) who lives next door says he doesn't use them any more. he doesnt necessarily service volvos but his recommnedation was to take a look at the reviews on amazon and bobistheoilguy.

Post by **scot850** » 30 Jan 2025, 13:45

Even Bosch 'remanufactured' units are not what they were. I have one on my 2000R fitted back about 12 years ago. The rebuilt unit was done here in Canada and I bought it direct from Bosch Canada. Today, unfortunately, the remanufactured units are worked on ij Mexico and the quality of the replacement parts have gone down the toilet like many automotive things these days. Would I use a reman Bosch unit? Probably, but only as I think they may still at least offer a 2 year warranty.

I wish you luck!

Neil.

Post by **foggydogg** » 30 Jan 2025, 15:05

Salvage yard might be a low-cost alternative, and Robert has had pretty good luck replacing the diode pack/brush assembly.