After getting mine rebuilt 3 times and still having the same problem, I ended up getting a Bosch factory rebuilt one. Cost-wise I don’t think it was significantly more than one rebuilt by a shonky auto electrician and in the long run would have been cheaper.
check the charging at the battery while the car is running about 2000 or 2200 rpm with multimeter. The alternator should be charging at 14 volts (give or take a little)
Mine was my alternator. Never had battery issues but once I replaced it with a new bosch all the electrical gremlins the car had went away.
I just replaced the one from my 1996 Passat Tdi. 326k miles on it. The alternator still works too!
Alternator wise, I'd definitely spend the money and acquire a nice Bosch unit to replace yours if you were gonna swap it.
After installing it, all of the intermittent electrical issues disappeared. I'm guessing the old alternator couldn't power all of the electrical issues at once, particularly since the battery light would not come on with the higher rev's of a cold start, but would come on with the low rev's of a warm start.
I used to have an alternator that required me to rev to 5k before the light would go out! My current one needs a slight blip to 1200 to make the light go out. I just ordered a new Bosch rebuilt alternator to replace.
I want to replace the alternator myself, but I can't find where to get OEM parts for a reasonable price. The dealership is charging $340 for the part and the best I can find is this [Bosch alternator](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C64QHE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=TXMF4LHVIWCE&coliid=IN63F3OG0M77W) on Amazon which they state is new, but it seems like all Bosch alternators are remanufactured. Why is it so damn complicated to find high-quality replacement alternators?!
I bought a brand new, OEM Bosch alternator from Rock Auto. A week back I started noticing a bearing squeak sound in the engine on startup... Later got another battery light... Today was driving and lost power steering suddenly and got battery light again. Pulled over as the car was getting hot quickly. Opened the hood and the serpentine belt was shredded. Alternator was completely seized and had burnt belt on the pulley. Got it towed home.
I had a bosch alternator in my Mark 2.. 8valve motor. I noticed the battery was not being charged. so instead of dealing with the voltage regulator or brushes etc, b/c the unit was old I decided to go with a brand new one. making me think i should have ponied up to the Bosch.
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