Alternator Woes!

[SS HSV]

Typically on the first cold day my alternator failed. Can anyone give me a part number and advice for best place to find one?

[ringram]

Factory new ones in NZ were $1400 last time I was there! Needed one for a mates car. Got a reco/2nd hand one for $300 as it was.

I have a corvette alternator from an LS1, Im not 100% sure it will fit, but I can take a look and see if its the same size/mounts etc and we can work something out.

Otherwise check with Monkfish and LSV etc, Roger had piles of parts last time I was there. Im sure LSV does too.

[woody vt]

Is the whole unit knacked? I had issues with mine a month or so ago, I just changed the regulator unit and brushes which has cured it.

[motomk]

Dum-De-Dum-De-Dum-De-Dum!

http://holmart.com.au/online/prod576.

Not sure if that is new or reco! They ship internationally by the looks of things too.

Or EBAY!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GEN-III-LS1-AL

motomk

[Raggyman]

Usually it is the brushes that are knackered. They are pretty easy to pull out. I the one on the commodore go, and they way I found out was when you turn the key while holding down the mode and think it is the right hand arrow and start the engine. That gives you a whole bunch goodies, like what the alternator is charging etc... water temp... and a heap of other stuff. My money would be that just the brushes need to be replaced..

[monkfish1]

We have brand new OEM ones on the shelf. If you can read the part no off the alternator, we can cross check with our stock.

Edited by monkfish1 on Wednesday 7th February 11:59

[SS HSV]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Roger YHM

[V8HSV]

I needed a power steering pump earlier in the week (leaking) and checked everywhere on the web, then remembered to put.com.au after flebay, got a recon unit for £30 & £15 postage, WOW, I make that a saving of a few hundred spondoolies which helped with the bill today for a gilmore drive.

Last time I needed a water pump, this time from the USA, brand new for just over £100 with freight, I won't tell you how much the Vauxhall price was!

[V8HSV]

http://cars.search.ebay.com.au/altern

Brand new for $199

[SS HSV]

Thanks HSV that was a good find. Roger at Monkfish came through for me in a big way - I paid £3 less than that one and it will be at my mechanics tomorrow

At these prices it makes you want to stockpile them

[V8HSV]

Glad you are sorted

[stevieturbo]

Query.....Ive read a few reports on LS1 alternators die-ing.

What were the symptoms ? the number of failures do seem high ?

[V8HSV]

Mine went at obout 70,000 & kicked out twice the voltage and buggered aux fuel pump plus a few relays in the process, would have been expensive except that I used A57 HSV's donar car via LSV.

[SS HSV]

stevieturbo said:

Query.....Ive read a few reports on LS1 alternators die-ing.

What were the symptoms ? the number of failures do seem high ?

Sequence of events as follows:

Warmed car up nicely, turned right onto empty dual carriageway, engaged Hyper-drive, was rewarded a few seconds later by annoying little battery light which refused to go off.

Checked belt - serpentine so worries there.
Checked connections - oiled best work shirt just before setting off for work, so faffing around dipping sleeves in Gunk, running under hot water and using a hairdryer to dry while still fully suited Put multimeter across battery - no charge present, just declining voltage

Still it's got 88,000 miles on it now so that's not a bad innings. I could have repaired the other one but for all the hassle I may as well fit a new one. Plus it's good to know who you can reply on when the shit hits the alternator