Typical life expectancy of RS6 alternator

[mdegracia]

What has been the typical mileage folks have replaced their alternator, may as well in include the starter here too... Engine and tranny are currently pulled and there's no time like the present!

[Chung]

I think 90k+ they start to go. I had 115k on mine when I replaced it and it was still going though.

[4everRS]

Yep, about 90k miles for alternator. I'm sure there are some that last much longer. Mine went at 92. The regulator is what is needed to replace usually.

Starter is another story. It is more rare to see them go bad. Now, if your engine is out, you may want to replace the starter. Only because it nearly requires an engine pull to do. The alternator can be serviced with the engine in the car.

[Hy Octane]

80k here..

[SAF]

102k and going strong.

[JSRS6]

105k and all good here.

[PixieVC]

104k and both are still going strong....

[mik15]

mine was replaced by the previous owner at somewhere around 55k miles along with the battery, probably because he didn't use to drive the car too often on long distances...

[4everRS]

I guess you could just replace the regulator while it's so easy to get to. It's about 100 bucks.

[mdegracia]

Great!
Thanks for the replies Guys!

[Amar]

On the UK RS6 forum the consensus is about 60k

[bakes]

35k for me but it was only the regulator so I had mine rebuilt

[lswing]

80k here...

[ben916]

I am still good at 54k but I know someone that had her car 4 days and it crapped out....

[CornersWell]

IIRC, mine went in the mid-50K range.

CW

[aussie rs6]

mine went at 15k miles with the full christmas tree display. Replaced under warranty. All good at 40k miles.

[Aronis]

Mine died 7/2010 at 100,937 and cost me $0.00 due to warrantee LOL....
Work listed at 4.60 hours and the part was $550.00

[Aronis]

Another question is how long does the battery last? I have the original at 122,000 miles LOL....wait what's that sound, it just died....LOL

Happy New Year..

[905084]

Alternator off? Just do the regulator (I think it comes with the brushes). Did a Passat for $35 for the regulator when the dealer wanted $500 for an alternator.

[4everRS]

Alternator off? Just do the regulator (I think it comes with the brushes). Did a Passat for $35 for the regulator when the dealer wanted $500 for an alternator.

The alternator has to be removed to get the regulator out. The OEM Bosch regulator goes for about 100 bucks. You can get the Asian version for 40. When I replaced mine, I used OEM. Yes, they come with brushes attached.

[905084]

If you just do the regulator, make sure that the alternator shop that does it spins it up and checks it before you reinstall.

[Brav]

Welp, mine just checked out. Thankfully the batt light came on as I was pulling into work, and I have a charger here. How long will engine last on a full charge, so I can take it somewhere? best source for new regulator? maybe I will DIY it, but its my only running car at the moment, need it fast!

edit: I got a quote for 5 hours of labor for this from one shop. Doesnt correspond with 1 hour out, 1 hour in. An alt repair place quoted $175 for rebuild with new regulator. I guess I will try to do it myself. Can I easily install a new regulator myself?

[kday]

Try a local auto electric shop for the regulator -- it is a fairly common Bosch part.

[Brav]

I tried to find one, can't seem to locate a specific auto electric shop anywhere, via Google..

FWIW, I have 155k on my car, so I guess I got a lot of mileage out of my alt. I'm pretty sure its original.

[NSU RS6]

The last Bosch regulator/brush set I replaced was a piece of cake. Two screws, out with old in with new. Looks to be the same, but also a grounding screw. Big difference in price between OEM and Aftermarket, to where it almost pays to get a rebuilt alternator rather than an OEM regulator....

12658

[Brav]

I can get an OEM alternator, 2 business days, for 400... from dealer (hookup). Maybe I should just do that. $100 vs $400..

Can the regulator be changed with alternator installed??

[SFJ_RS6]

When I did my engine out work, I got a new regulator from KO Performance for about $55 (including shipping).

[kday]

I don't think you will be able to remove the regulator with the alternator installed.

This pic sort of shows how it goes together. The regulator has been removed here:

http://static.ultrameta.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DSCF0163-1024x679.jpg

I think even if you don't end up with a stripped screw like I did you would not be able to remove the screws and nuts holding the regulator in without removing the whole unit first.

[Brav]

Ok thanks. I think I'm dropping it off tomorrow at local shop as to get it back on the road quickly.

[NSU RS6]

http://static.ultrameta.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DSCF0163-1024x679.jpg


Salt. Ick.

[na1mt]

Mine went bad at around 52k miles. I had it completely rebuilt locally for $150

[Brav]

New regulator in, but still no good.. apparently some diode on the alt must be replaced as well..

[905084]

Diodes should have been part of the regulator I believe.....see previous post "Spin it up and check it before you put it back in". I've found that will save time,$$,your marriage or all 3. Good luck.

[4everRS]

The regulator is separate from the diodes.

[Brav]

So I replaced the voltage regulator, first one didn't work.. died in a few minutes.. back out, ordered another, put it in, and it seems to work. Not the Bosch unit.. maybe I am being penalized. But now it puts out good voltage, near 14 on the gauge, and 13.5 via vagcom. no battery or charging faults in the system.. but the batt light still shows.. is this normal? will it go away? My guess was that it should go away immediately after good voltage is going through the system. I guess I will test drive it for a few days and see what happens..

[Brav]

So its been 2 weeks, still same problem.. voltage good, no dying car.. but the red batt light still on. any takers??