Rehabilitating the T5M

[foggydogg]

FCP wants the alternator back as a core. ...
Since I work in a shared space, I can't leave the car with no alternator until the VR arrives. Also, I was worried that the correct one was no longer available new considering that FCP only sells one variety.

Forgot about the shared space, and unbolting all that stuff to force the car to let go of the alternator is much easier on a lift. Right call.
The only thing in my fleet that has ever had a charging problem was the green XC, and that was at 295k. They seem to be pretty durable.

[scot850]

Probably wrong, but I seem to recall up to 98 used one alternator (100A) and 99- a larger one (120A or 140A which may be the P2).

My memory is may be wrong but I do know there was a change in 99.

Neil.

[454cid]

My memory is may be wrong but I do know there was a change in 99.

Neil.

I noticed my 99 has the over run pulley, and my 96 does not.

[abscate]

Completely different mount and alternator in 1999.

[foggydogg]

The car in this instant case is not a '99.

[rrres]

Do you have an alternator rebuilder shop in your area? They might have a replacement in stock or they can rebuild your existing.

[FireFox31]

Yes, this 1998 appears to have a 100 amp alternator, part # 9162683. I'm kind of surprised this one is dead at 178k miles. I believe my V70 had its original at 275k, though I suspected it was weak. I wonder if I'm misdiagnosing it. I spent a few hours of my Cyber Monday shopping learning about voltage drop tests and more, then went back to ordering parts to save money.

Do you have an alternator rebuilder shop in your area? They might have a replacement in stock or they can rebuild your existing.

This is a good idea. It appears that there are a few alternator and electronics rebuilding shops near me. I'll call and get a quote to rebuild. I wonder which work I should trust more, Bosch rebuild or some local shop? How do rebuilders get the voltage regulators which consumers can't get?

I seem to always acquire project cars in the winter. The G70 in Nov 2020, Geronimo (sort of) from Sep to Dec 2021, now the T5M in Nov 2022. It's COLD working in that Makerspace garage in the winter... late into the night because every job takes me 8-12 hours.

[abscate]

I’ve got a gem of an old guy here in Albany who does My rebuilds. He can actually rewind the armatures with real copper or get new ones. The Bosch rebuilding went to Hades over the past few years, getting outsourced to cheap places. I no longer have faith in them . Keep good OE cores and have them rebuilt. Use off market stuff for core returns

Cheapest alternator is the pure energy off parts geek, about $130 with no core, $145 three year warranty


These alternators usually need new brushes and regulator in the 150-200k regime in the Northeast with cold weather

[foggydogg]

In your case for a car that's a keeper FCP is probably the right path, especially with the workspace setup. As I recall on mine once I got enough stuff unbolted to the point the alternator was loose it just fell out. Lots of things in the way to swing tools if memory serves.

[FireFox31]

I’ve got a gem of an old guy here in Albany who does My rebuilds.

Can you share his name with me? Perhaps he'd accept mine by mail. I would have to install a temporary alternator while mine is being rebuilt, doing the job twice, because I can't leave it at the workshop for that long.

The more sensible approach is that I try a local rebuilder and request 1-2 day turn around. While doing the alternator, I'll be doing the PCV, so I'll send the intake manifold to a machine shop for soaking, sandblasting, and painting. I'm going to try and schedule to request 1-2 day turn around. I can leave the car in the public workspace for that long, I hope.

That, or I install the Bosch and find a junkyard unit to return as a core. Would be a shame if the junkyard one worked but no sense installing an old part when the job is this hard.