Thread: Alternator failure without warning - can it be anything else?

I'm going to do a Pedro here and induce a relative question.

Has anyone actually investigated what the failure is, eg regulator, brushes, armature etc??

What if any, steps can be taken to repair these with the large selection of OEM suppliers these days?

It's not always impossible to source components unless there's an OEM production agreement. The D3 is coming up to a tenure date meaning some OEM agreements will possibly be coming to an end and the aftermarket OEM parts will be made available.

Andrew

It's like the MM alternator on the Tdi,all of them would fail within a year or two from rear bearing failure.A well known problem. Pat

Originally Posted by LOVEMYRANGIE

It's not always impossible to source components unless there's an OEM production agreement. The D3 is coming up to a tenure date meaning some OEM agreements will possibly be coming to an end and the aftermarket OEM parts will be made available.

Andrew

Hi Andrew, as earlier in this thread, the LR3 none genuine alternators are cheap in the States. I think one of the forums posted something like $208 for a new alternator.

I did my transmission in on my 02 RR. It was $7.5k for a reconditioned one here, or $1.5k for the same one in the USA.

BTW, when they replaced the transmission, they told me it was my dual battery system that had stuffed the transmission.

My D3 now has a new alternator and all, apparently, is well. I will provide a final follow-up when I get to examine the old alternator and see how the car travels over the next couple of weeks.

So in summary, it seems a 2005 D3 TDV6 with just 97k km, can have sudden alternator failure without warning. No dashboard warning lights. The only clue to failure was that for a part of the day immediately before the car would not start the car would not alter height (apparently this is a power-saving feature).

Thank you to everyone who provided insights.

Hi MelbD3, glad to hear all is now fixed and if you find out what cause your alternator failure, I think it would of much interest to quite a few of us.

BTW, if it not a personal question, what was the final damage to your pocket?

Alternator Failure is serious.

Today that little light red light cost me over $1000.

Advice - If your Alternator light comes on get the Alternator checked out that day.

A new alternator costs a bit over $700 and it has an uncommon and known fault according to the Auto Electrician.

If not fixed, there is no fuse to stop the current so the battery is shorted out and drained completely and so you (well me in this case) are up for a new battery as well.

I had mine checked by a battery shop on Saturday, determined it was the alternator, called on Monday to book it in on for Tuesday and by Monday night was driving home a car in cripple mode while everything shut down to protect the battery.

By the time I isolated the short and disconnected the battery it was goodnight to the originally fitted 6.5 year old battery. Shame as I was quite impressed with this bit of the kit.

Perhaps this might be worth a line item in the FAQ section... up to you.

So now it is all fixed and hoping they have addressed the fault in the new replacement.

The Auto Electrician suggested it is the same in RRS and D3 models as they share the same power systems but he wouldn't elaborate models and dates beyond V8 diesels and 2.7 diesels.

My D3 has only today clocked over 130000 km so I consider it too young for this particular organ transplant. Having just done the lower control arms and ball joints my wallet thought the same.

Hope this helps someone else avoid the same experience and at least save a new battery.

Cheers PK

Was the auto electrician keeping trade secrets or did he decide that you wouldn't understand the precise nature of the problem?

My 2008 D3 had an alternator failure at around 20,000KM I did get a light on but it was still charging. Replaced under warranty, there is usually a pile of alternators along with the pile of spare tyre winches and compressors at the back of the ACT dealer.

Regards,
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