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Tonight I successfully replaced my alternator and serpentine belt tensioner.

Pep Boys had item number 13942, which was listed as a Hitachi 120amp remanufactured alternator. I kept asking the person at the parts counter for the Bosch remanufactured alternator, but he insisted that the one he gave me was correct. Lo and behold, the alternator in the box was a Bosch remanufactured alternator! That was actually a bonus, since the Hitachi alternator was cheaper.

I guess that makes sense. I don’t think the Hitachi alternators are common, and people probably just replace their Bosch alternator with the cheapest one Pep Boys has, and the reconditioning company then reconditions the alternators that were swapped as a core piece.

This is the first time I’ve ever replaced an alternator, but the remanufactured alternator looked immaculate. The plastic molding on the back was identical to my Bosch alternator. The pulley was the only item that was different. This reman is guaranteed for life, and they stated that the warranty covered everything, including the pulley.

Now I just need to install my new suspension, and I’ll be all done with the upgrades and maintenance items.

Auto Alternator, Golf, VW

Tonight I attempted to replace my alternator pulley. When I removed the pulley from the alternator, I must have twisted the pulley and the shaft in the wrong directions, because I sheared off the shaft on the alternator!

Now, I have to run around tomorrow trying to get an alternator. Pep Boys has one for $179, with a $110 core charge. I’ll take my alternator with me to work tomorrow and see if they’ll take the alternator as a core. If so, it’ll only cost me $179.

The joys of screwing up…

Auto Alternator, Golf, TDI, VW