alternator choice

cichy1012 · Post by **cichy1012** » 12 May 2025, 19:29

not sure what alternator was in this vehicle when i changed it. Put some a-premium one in from amazon. Well after year i got the system overcharge -- then dead. wanted to put back i heard should be a Denso? theres various ones and i dont know which one to get.
any help?
2005 volvo s40 t5 awd
vin YV1MH682052104299
engine b5254t
thanks all

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 12 May 2025, 19:35

Save yourself headache and search. If you want/able to buy brand new-contact fcp euro and provide them vin. They will suggest what will be the best option for you. If you want used unit-contact erievovo salvage yard and they will be able to find you a correct unit. Both place offer lifetime warranty.

On the other thought- it looks like both options at fcp are remanufactured units. I would probably sleep better woth used oem unit from erievovo where I would replace a voltage regulator($35).

cichy1012 · Post by **cichy1012** » 12 May 2025, 20:46

so the last 6 of my vin are suppose to represent my chasis code.
does my vin fit in this range.
from chassis # 045204; thru chassis # 250052

YV1MH682052104299

Post by **scot850** » 13 May 2025, 19:39

Yes. I replaced the unit in a friends V50 T5 AWD manual with a used Volvo one. The one that came out of it was a badly rebuild unit by Bosch. I took it in for repair to a local shop and immediately the owner said it was actually a Denso unit. He was a Denso repair shop by chance so he rebuilt it for me with new bearings (they were noisy) and new voltage regulator. The regulator brushes literally fell out in small crumbs. His opinion is even Bosch reman units since they move the work to Mexico use crap parts, as do most re-builders. He said he struggled to find good parts. Cost an arm an an leg ($270 CDN) but I'm confident it will be as good as new.

The suggestion of going used OE I'm on board with too. It is a great suggestion to get a used OE one with a warranty if available and fit a new regulator as suggested.

I'm surprised the Amazon unit lasted as long! My young friend with the V50 fitted an Amazon one and it failed 2 weeks later.

Good Luck!

Neil.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 13 May 2025, 19:58

scot850 wrote: ↑13 May 2025, 19:39 Yes. I replaced the unit in a friends V50 T5 AWD manual with a used Volvo one. The one that came out of it was a badly rebuild unit by Bosch. I took it in for repair to a local shop and immediately the owner said it was actually a Denso unit. He was a Denso repair shop by chance so he rebuilt it for me with new bearings (they were noisy) and new voltage regulator. The regulator brushes literally fell out in small crumbs. His opinion is even Bosch reman units since they move the work to Mexico use crap parts, as do most re-builders. He said he struggled to find good parts. Cost an arm an an leg ($270 CDN) but I'm confident it will be as good as new.

The suggestion of going used OE I'm on board with too. It is a great suggestion to get a used OE one with a warranty if available and fit a new regulator as suggested.

I'm surprised the Amazon unit lasted as long! My young friend with the V50 fitted an Amazon one and it failed 2 weeks later.

Good Luck!

Neil.

$270 CND is a steal of a deal in my opinion for such work. Voltage regulator is $35 USA(one can change the brushes saparate but it is too old school and not worth the time), alternator bearings around $7-10 each so x2=$20 USA. Time to disassemble, clean , press new bearings and test at the end plus shop supplies(roughly $5) you are getting a great deal so a piece of mind. I would totally go that route if need be. (I hate doing the job twice and even imagining removing/instaling it twice would make me so so upset and angry). On recent episode of PHAD Ivan was working on f250 that had 3 alternator replaced and 2 reman from dealer and all were bad. So yes, I would be all over used unit and voltage regulator vs expert work like you had done.