Interesting Rangie day...

[PeterH]

On the way to work this morning, my 2001 HSE started giving strange gearbox and traction warnings. Trying to not think the worst, it started again later in the day, before dying completely while driving. Luckily I was in a good spot to roll off the road without any dramas.
Wouldn't turn over, the battery is only a week old. Had to join RACV for $220, ouch!
The RACV turned up and dead alternator is diagnosed.
Go it towed to my auto electrician, he is going to reco the existing alternator.
Strange thing is I did not get any warnings at all the alternator was on the way out.
Has anyone had their alternator reco'd? How much was it?

[RR P38]

Usually its the diodes in the alternator that go.
I had mine done 6-7 years ago $200 ish.

[serbastion]

gday all im also starting to have alternator probs you say you had yours recoed a while back do you rember who by or what brand of alt was it are there different brands eg bossh lucas marelli fitted to these early p38 1995---1998 models ive not been able to scourse any parts for mine

[Hoges]

Mine started to play up on the way back from Sydney (to Bris) a few months ago. Diodes were all Ok, was the regulator.

Now for the not so good news: Bosch do not (apparently) stock/supply a replacement for that particular alternator...anywhere. However you may be lucky and get one on ebay.
My little adventure cost me $200 plus 2 days accommodation en route. The local Bosch agent re-soldered the brushes, 'expanded' the brush springs etc and we made it home.

I got a new(aftermarket) regulator which included the brush housing + brushes from "Weitzel's Garage" on ebay ...posted from the US arrived within 7 days and cost less than A$50 all up. The whole thing came in a padded envelope... only weighs about 100g if that. Took me 20 minutes to replace it including removing/replacing alternator...very simple job.

When he arrived, the NRMA Roadside Assist bloke gave the alternator a couple of sharp taps with a hammer which caused the accumulated dust from the brushes to disperse and we were able to drive 40km or so to the Bosch agent's workshop...

good luck!

[PeterH]

RR P38, I hope it is the diodes, will find out today.
Hoges and serbastion, I had a chat to my parts supplier here in Melbourne and he said there are new genuine replacements available, the list price is a whopping $1100, he said he could do better than that on price though. I'll ask him about the early P38 ones for you serbastion.
Of course repairing the original one is the far cheaper option if possible.
Will keep you posted.

[Hoges]

If it has not been overloaded it is most likely the regulator unit and the brushes in particular. They accumulate dust and clog up. when the NRMA bloke used the hammer tap technique clouds of black dust were blown out of the alternator...

when I replaced the regulator, the brushes were only just 1/3rd worn although their spring loading was slack... the rest of the unit was in top shape. A ton of lube remained in the bearings and the commutator showed very little wear.

I am sure you could get a very good refurbed one from the UK at a fraction of the "new" price including postage!!

EDIT: PeterH check http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/132208-alternators-mafs.html .. very recent write up of alternator rebuild part numbers and the cost...scroll down the page to Wayneg's post

[jsp]

Hmmm I must just have bad luck, I have had two alternators go on me, the P38 one is the same as my serp belt classic rangie one, i just swapped the pulley over.

In both cases for me the bearings went, I ended up having one redone, and the other one I bought a reco alternator for about $250.

[PeterH]

Alternator sorted!
My auto elec always does a great job, after opening up the alternator, he said it was just worn out, so he did a full reco, new bearings, brushes, diodes, clean etc.
Seems to be working perfectly now, at least i shouldn't have to worry about the alternator going on me in the middle of nowhere.
All up it cost $533.50 (inc gst), while not cheap, much better than buying a new one.

jsp, the alternator on my classic Rangie never gave any problems in 9 years, it must be getting close to needing attention, but still going strong. I think in your case a bit of bad luck. Believe it or not, this is the first break down I have EVER had in 9 years of driving Range Rovers.

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

[jsp]

this is the first break down I have EVER had in 9 years of driving Range Rovers.

go out and buy a lotto ticket! NOW!

;)

[davo52]

go out and buy a lotto ticket! NOW!

;)

I think he only has bad luck left in the kitty now.
:D:D:D:D

[PeterH]

I've never won tattslotto, maybe I just have good luck with Rangies! TOUCH WOOD

[wayneg]

I hope I dont regret not bringing one back from the UK on my recent trip. Just found this on e-bay in the States. If anyone gets a quote on shipping let us know, I recon it would still be a good buy.
NEW ALTERNATOR LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 1999,2000 150Amp | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-ALTERNATOR-LAND-ROVER-RANGE-ROVER-1999-2000-150Amp-/300436781319?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45f36d7907)

[wayneg]

I got a price for the shipping which was US$115 UPS priority. This would make the total cost A$255 for a brand shiny new 150amp alternator. Not bad me thinks.

[PeterH]

That is actually a great deal for brand new, would be worth having that stored in the shed for a rainy day at that price. Or just put the new one in and get the old one reco'd, either way would be a good thing to have a back up.

[RR P38]

gday all im also starting to have alternator probs you say you had yours recoed a while back do you rember who by or what brand of alt was it are there different brands eg bossh lucas marelli fitted to these early p38 1995---1998 models ive not been able to scourse any parts for mine

Yes mine was a Magneti Marelli.
I went to an auto electrician in Artarmon, cant remember for sure where, Whiting st Hotham or carlotta st.

[jsp]

Mines a Marelli, whether it has been reco'd or is off a wreck I can't say for sure, but its done about 60,000k's in 3 years since I got it, whereas the one in the classic's only done about 10,000 k's in about the same time frame. The place I bought them from had a big shelf full of them, they were all marked with texta, and had "reco" written on them, and they had a few which were $50 cheaper at the time and they were supposedly tested good of wrecks.