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Alternator OEM FORD or OEM Volkswagen
Reviews
Drove it for a day and the alternator crapped out. Installed a new one asap.
Pros: new one installed
Cons: crapped out
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
I had lots of issues with a ‘96 4.6 Cobra. Back and forth between battery, alternator issues. Maybe, six months between issues. Finally replaced the alternator with new, not reman and changed the battery at the same time. That lasted for the next three years that I owned the car and was still fine when I sold the car.
Pros: new alternator lasted
Cons: alternator issues
Vehicle:
Ford
I had a similar problem with my 08 mustang GT. The alternator burnt through the cord going from it to the battery. Bought a remanufactured alternator and replaced it. Still didn't work. Traded it in for another remanufactured. Still didn't work. Finally returned that one and bought a brand new one. Works fine 6 years later and no problems.
Pros: new unit works fine
Cons: reman units didn't work
Vehicle:
Ford Mustang
The alternator was dead (as expected), and was replaced with a used one that I sourced locally from junkyard.
Pros: cheap replacement
Cons: used part
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Golf
Replaced the alternator - twice. The second one failed as a result of a jump start scorching a relay in the voltage :-( Replaced the starter (in 2024), First alternator failed at 49K miles - oddly, when the car came out of the shop, the oil light came on and they found debris in the pick up so I got a new long block (under warranty so I suspect VOA knew of some defect for that model/year). Had one strut bearing fail at about 90K miles. I also had the AC recharged - car actually came from the factory with too much pressure (would ice up on humid days). I've stuck to dealer maintenance for everything except the strut repair and the usual annual CC alignments (well documented issue...) and keep all fluids (coolant/brakes/DSG) fresh. My car is still a daily driver - I'm probably due another battery soon but it runs great. I'm tempted to freshen the struts and control arms and add a rear sway bar - and possibly a tune, but I also see a Golf R in my future! I've run 3 other cars to 250K miles (Volvo 850, Highlander and an Audi 4KQ) and I don't see any reason why the dub can't get to 200K+ particularly if you keep up with a full maintenance plan. You may need to have some carbon blasting done at 100K, have the timing chain tension and service the PCV (leaving that too long leads to the carbon build up in the DI engines) but those are like 50K mile intervals
Pros: car runs great, good longevity
Cons: alternator failed twice, strut bearing failed
Vehicle:
Volkswagen
Mileage: 117000 km
12-plate Fiesta, 106k miles
- Alternator is intermittent
- Rear bushes are audibly fucked
- Radiator fan packed up so it overheats when idling in warm weather
Cons: Alternator intermittent, rear bushes
Vehicle:
Ford Fiesta
Mileage: 106000 km
I owned one for about a year. Loved the car, wish I could have kept it. That being said, it was only in drivable condition for about half the time I owned it. I replaced the alternator, fixed the air suspension, redid some vacuum lines, tried to repair the front diff, and that's where I gave up.
Pros: loved the car
Cons: difficult to work on, parts unavailable
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Touareg
I’ve been busting my butt all day trying to get the alternator out of my 2004 ford focus (mk1) for a few painful reasons
Vehicle:
Ford Focus
Spent 300 on an alternator to get the whole car apart just to find out it was the wrong one
Cons: wrong alternator
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Passat
even a simple job like changing the alternator is difficult due to where they place it. There's not a ton of space to work on the car in the engine bay.
Cons: difficult to change, poor placement
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Jetta
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