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Date:         Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:32:52 -0700
Reply-To:     Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Alternator Brushes Wore Out Pretty Darn Quick
Comments: To: Tom Buese <tombuese@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To:  <2773B478-2F83-46B3-8477-E5B71213128C@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I always carry a spare alternator along with a water pump (and *two* belts) in the rear seat/bed box in my Westy. Had to replace the alternator several years ago at the Turlock (CA) Rest Stop or SR99 because of intermittent charging then downright failure. 20 minutes later I was back on the road.

Having driven VWs clear back into 60s taught me to prepare for worst case scenarios from cables to fuel pumps and everything in between.

Replaced an EFI pump (failed) and plastic pre-filter (just because) on the Westy in the AZ desert on I-10 east of Quartzsite in September 2008

Replaced a Digijet ECU (failed) and FP Regulator and a few hoses (just because) in Adrian TX on I-40 in May 2004

Replaced a Starter (failed) in western Tennessee in 2004.

Can't carry everything, but the rear seat/bed box is packed for most contingencies.

That reminds me, gotta put a spare Ignition Switch in there. My spare went to Bev at Havasu a few years back because hers failed. -- Jim Thompson 84 GL 1.9 "Gloria" 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt" 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug" 75 914 1.8 "Nancy" Full Timing Since March 1999 oldvolkshome@gmail.com http://www.oldvolkshome.com *********************************** On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 4:42 PM, Tom Buese <tombuese@comcast.net> wrote: > Hmmm, sounds like a new rebuilt spare alternator needs to be added to my spare parts stash to compliment the water pump? > > YMMV, > > Mr. BZ-or just install prophylatically? > > > On Aug 22, 2011, at 5:14 PM, Rocket J Squirrel wrote: > >> Thanks, Mark. >> >> I'm seeing "AL33X" (Van-Cafe, $115 + $73 core) or "025903023EX" >> (Busdepot, same pricing). >> >> Both are described a "genuine Bosch Rebuilt units." This pretty much >> what you're recommending? >> >> -- >> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott >> Bend, Ore. >> 1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people. >> 1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in >> San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia. >> >> Sent from my kitchen. >> >> On 08/22/2011 04:03 PM, mark drillock wrote: >>> In general, I have had the best experiences with Bosch parts sold as >>> "Genuine Rebuilt" and in Bosch boxes. The option of the FLAPS gimmick of >>> "lifetime warranty" units is to be avoided unless you will enjoy taking >>> the part on and off frequently, sometimes at the side of the road. Yeah, >>> they will replace it for free, again and again and again, if you can get >>> it to them with your dead van. There is also the possibility of getting >>> a local "auto electric" repair shop to "rebuild" it and some are Bosch >>> certified shops. I have had bad luck trying that. Both times they looked >>> up the list price of the alternator from Bosch and based their rebuild >>> prices on that inflated figure. Speaking of inflated, a relative just >>> priced a 90 amp at a VW dealer and was quoted nearly $600 for the part. >>> Since he is in the repair biz they then offered a special discount to >>> just over $400. >>> >>> Various list venders and friendly places sell the genuine Bosch Rebuilt >>> units for about $125 exchange. >>> >>> Mark >>> >>> Rocket J Squirrel wrote: >>>> ........... >>>> >>>> ALL: Recommendations on how to deal with an alternator that maybe needs >>>> servicing? Who does such things? Take it to the FLAPS or do we have some >>>> special vendor here whose rebuilt Bosch alternators are better than gold?


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