Bosch has a support site that shows what alternators they recommend for your VIN number. AL20X (65A) and AL172X (65A) are the two Bosch shows. However most of us know the original was a 90A unit AL30X.
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.
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.
Alternator wise, I'd definitely spend the money and acquire a nice Bosch unit to replace yours if you were gonna swap it.
I have experienced my share of faulty Ford alternators from the chain stores. I now get OEM from Ford. Yes, they are expensive but I have better things to do than replace month old alternators constantly.
What brand alternator did you use? If not OE, Bosch, or Valeo, change it again.
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?!
B5/5.5 alternators come from two vendors, Bosch and Valeo. I've heard they're not interchangeable because of different pulleys.
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.
Had issues with every single Ford alt I replaced (from autozone, Napa, Oriellys) didn’t matter. Only had luck with either dealer parts or from a local rebuilder.
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