Alternator is dying, what are my options?

[njgsx96]

So the alternator is dead in my 1994 S4. battery light came on the other day. Testing voltage at the battery with a digital multimeter and it reads 11.x and using Freescan it reads 10.x-11.x. I did some searching but cannot come up with a direct replacement. Can anyone tell me where I can find a direct replacement and what the part number/description would be? Or do I have to go with a new one from Lotus?

Maybe somewhat related, after reconnecting th ebattery when i tightened the belt to rule that out, Freescan only got readings from voltage, rpm, MAF and coolant. everything else read zeros. Is that because of the low voltage or because the ECU was reset 2 seconds ago?

Thanks!

Rich

[Simon350S]

Any auto electricians that could fix it close by....??

If so shouldn't cost too much...

Simon

[njgsx96]

Any auto electricians that could fix it close by....??

If so shouldn't cost too much...

Simon

I asked a bunch of my car buddies this same question. Waiting to see what options I have locally. Figured if I could get an uprated direct replacement alternator at the local parts store, that would be great too.

[Advantage]

I had my GT3 alternator rebuilt locally via my usual motor factors earlier this year, simply because we couldn't be bothered to do any cross referencing etc to find a replacement.

The cost was a modest 80 (ish) pounds.

[Vulcan Grey]

It's a Valeo, and can be rebuilt. I had mine rebuilt here in Boulder Colorado for $109.

There is also a BOSCH that can be made to work

http://lotusracer.home.mchsi.com/lotustipspage3.htm

http://lotus.roadfly.com/turboesprit/2004-06/msg00814.html

[njgsx96]

I saw the Bosch but I am nto into doing that much to make it work so I am going local to have it rebuilt. Seems like the best option.

out of curiousity, what is that black ooz that came out of my alternator and now lives on my AC compressor? Looks like syrup...

[John V6]

Would think that it's the capacitor that has been cooked, if you have black stuff coming out.

[Advantage]

The black goo of death! Exactly the same happened on mine (I had a mild panic at first glimpse, thinking it was a major oil leak! ) it makes a right old mess.