New alternator needed maybe!

sylvester · 24th November 2020, 16:15

My alternator looks as if it is on the blink - the battery icon on the dash kept flashing on and off and is now on all the time.
I've looked at the procedure for doing it myself but as it requires working under the vehicle I don't fancy doing it.
My local garage has quoted £400 all in to do the job!
Seems like a lot to me but what does the Forum think?
Car is 2003 Rover CDTi Tourer with BMW 2 litre motor.

COLVERT · 24th November 2020, 17:28

If you've not left it too long then, hopefully, the slip rings won't have burnt away you can change the brushes from the top.

If folk would only change the brushes as soon as the red light starts to flicker most alternators could be saved. Once that light begins to flicker the damage occurs faster and faster.---

No work under the vehicle required unless you need to change the alternator completely. Even then, that can be done from the top with a bit of fiddling about under the wheel arch.

coolguy · 24th November 2020, 18:35

Cannot speak of current prices, but I did have a new one fitted to my 2004 CDT Tourer about 4 years ago - cost about £150 from memory. However, the first 2 replacements were faulty so it was a protracted job. Hope they are of better quality now!

roverbeast75 · 24th November 2020, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylvester

My alternator looks as if it is on the blink - the battery icon on the dash kept flashing on and off and is now on all the time.
I've looked at the procedure for doing it myself but as it requires working under the vehicle I don't fancy doing it.
My local garage has quoted £400 all in to do the job!
Seems like a lot to me but what does the Forum think?
Car is 2003 Rover CDTi Tourer with BMW 2 litre motor.

I replaced my alternator at the beginning of October. Paid 140 euro for a new one & 90 euro for the labor.

My mechanic did the job from above by removing the power steering pump etc

400 seems a bit too much in my opinion.

COLVERT · 24th November 2020, 23:27

I agree, that quote does seem rather high too.

They will be getting a good mark up on the alternator itself as well as a rather high labour charge.

trikey · 25th November 2020, 12:12

£300 is nearer the mark, £150 for the alternator and £150 for the time to fit.

Mogodon · 25th November 2020, 12:59

Mine died a few months ago on my CDTI exact same symptoms as the OP).

My trusted garage did it all in for £350 Inc a new belt and commented it was "not easy".

patrolman pete · 25th November 2020, 13:01

Had my alternator replaced at a garage near Bath in September after it failed whilst on holiday. They were busy that week but said they could squeeze me in if I left it with them for the week. The bill came to £444.14 ,but I was able to claim the cost back from the AA due to having breakdown repair cover thankfully.

COLVERT · 26th November 2020, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylvester

My alternator looks as if it is on the blink - the battery icon on the dash kept flashing on and off and is now on all the time.
I've looked at the procedure for doing it myself but as it requires working under the vehicle I don't fancy doing it.
My local garage has quoted £400 all in to do the job!
Seems like a lot to me but what does the Forum think?
Car is 2003 Rover CDTi Tourer with BMW 2 litre motor.

Don't forget to come back and tell us how you got on.---

It runs · 26th November 2020, 19:57

The brushes are quite easily replaced in situ . I did mine 2 years ago I think it cost about £6 . When I say easy it's all relative . But I don't think it's un attainable fit DIY skills

24th November 2020, 16:15	#1
sylvester Avid contributor Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester Kent Posts: 240 Thanks: 17 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts	New alternator needed maybe! My alternator looks as if it is on the blink - the battery icon on the dash kept flashing on and off and is now on all the time. I've looked at the procedure for doing it myself but as it requires working under the vehicle I don't fancy doing it. My local garage has quoted £400 all in to do the job! Seems like a lot to me but what does the Forum think? Car is 2003 Rover CDTi Tourer with BMW 2 litre motor.

24th November 2020, 17:28	#2
COLVERT Foreign correspondent R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 12,511 Thanks: 3,350 Thanked 1,746 Times in 1,481 Posts	If you've not left it too long then, hopefully, the slip rings won't have burnt away you can change the brushes from the top. If folk would only change the brushes as soon as the red light starts to flicker most alternators could be saved. Once that light begins to flicker the damage occurs faster and faster.--- No work under the vehicle required unless you need to change the alternator completely. Even then, that can be done from the top with a bit of fiddling about under the wheel arch. __________________

24th November 2020, 23:27	#5
COLVERT Foreign correspondent R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 12,511 Thanks: 3,350 Thanked 1,746 Times in 1,481 Posts	I agree, that quote does seem rather high too. They will be getting a good mark up on the alternator itself as well as a rather high labour charge. __________________

25th November 2020, 12:12	#6
trikey Premium Trader T4 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Norfolk Posts: 29,360 Thanks: 7,208 Thanked 11,405 Times in 6,682 Posts	£300 is nearer the mark, £150 for the alternator and £150 for the time to fit. __________________ Lest we forget..

25th November 2020, 12:59	#7
Mogodon Gets stuck in MG ZT 135+ Diesel Auto Mk2. Nisan Micra 1.4 SVE Auto. Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: The Midlands Posts: 749 Thanks: 182 Thanked 191 Times in 79 Posts	Mine died a few months ago on my CDTI exact same symptoms as the OP). My trusted garage did it all in for £350 Inc a new belt and commented it was "not easy". __________________ Plenum spyhole mod. Powerflow backbox. 11 spoke alloys repainted Black Sparkle. Black Expansion tank. Drivers side cup holder. PPD carpeted heater box sides. Illuminated sun visors, PPD Door reflectors. PPD Seatbelt lower mount bolt covers. PPD Drivers grab handle. Cubby rechargeable torch and power socket. FBH retro-fitted. FBH engine pre-heater mod done. Electric rear Sunblind. Tow bar. Flip key. MGR towing mirrors and Saloon roof bars. Hand Built in Birmingham

24th November 2020, 18:35	#3
coolguy Coolguy Rover 75 CDT Tourer Auto, Rover 75 2.0 Connoisseur Auto, MG ZT 2.5 Auto and MG ZT Cdti Auto (Monogra Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Finedon Posts: 1,390 Thanks: 666 Thanked 465 Times in 307 Posts	Cannot speak of current prices, but I did have a new one fitted to my 2004 CDT Tourer about 4 years ago - cost about £150 from memory. However, the first 2 replacements were faulty so it was a protracted job. Hope they are of better quality now!

25th November 2020, 13:01	#8
patrolman pete Posted a thing or two Rover 75 club se tourer CDT and a Connoisseur SE Diesel Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houghton - le - Spring Posts: 1,160 Thanks: 528 Thanked 187 Times in 132 Posts	Had my alternator replaced at a garage near Bath in September after it failed whilst on holiday. They were busy that week but said they could squeeze me in if I left it with them for the week. The bill came to £444.14 ,but I was able to claim the cost back from the AA due to having breakdown repair cover thankfully. Last edited by patrolman pete; 25th November 2020 at 13:02.. Reason: Can't spell.

26th November 2020, 19:57	#10
It runs Avid contributor Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Skelmersdale Posts: 167 Thanks: 13 Thanked 43 Times in 38 Posts	The brushes are quite easily replaced in situ . I did mine 2 years ago I think it cost about £6 . When I say easy it's all relative . But I don't think it's un attainable fit DIY skills __________________ Changed everything that needs changing and everything that didn't . It's called preventive maintenance.

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