Alternator Bosch or OEM Volvo
Bosch is still the gold standard but not what it used to be. Don't buy cheap junk.
Stick with a high quality oem replacement alternator; VW installed a number alternator oem brands (bosch, Valeo, Hitachi, etc). My 2002 New Beetle Turbo S; had a Valeo 120 Amp unit installed, I had a hard time finding a Valeo unit, so I went with Bosch and so far, I have not any issues with it but the body of the alternator, was slightly bigger, so the wiring harness, was a bit of a tight fit.
You can get a Bosch alternator for a KA and swap the pulleys
Any time I see overvoltage faults I replace the alternator. Check the charging voltage and confirm that it's charging higher than 15.0v (it may happen only briefly under some conditions). If it is then unplug the connector from the alternator. That should default it to 14.3v. If it still overcharges then you've confirmed a faulty alternator.
Lucky for us, the Alternator was in fact faulty (it was a Bosch btw) and that the previous owner replaced it a few months prior, meaning it was still under warranty.
Bosch is a great aftermarket option.
Alternator. And unlike prior generations of Bosch alternators you can't replace just the regulator, which is usually what fails. Gotta buy the whole piece.
I bought a Bosch rebuilt alternator from ECStuning and installed it last night. The light however has stayed on.
So, OK, ended up getting a Bosch Reman from IMC, installed it to find out it was only producing 10Volts @ idle. Took it back out, and installed an Ultima which put out 14Volts @ idle.
We have been having a lot of trouble with Bosch reman alternators and starters in the last couple years. Pretty sad, used to be great stuff. Now all the boxes say made in china and everything is crap.
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