Anyone replaced the alternator on their quattro?

[MarkTM]

In essence need to know if I have to take the front bumper off to do it?

Also if it's possible to read the part number off the alternator from underneath (with undertray removed)? I need this to confirm if a Valeo or Bosch Alternator is fitted, Audi say it could be either

Bumper removal a 2 man job and it will be much easier for me if it could be done from underneath with the car on ramps.

[MarkTM]

OK removed bottom trays and yes you can view the part no of the alternator from underneath. In my case it's a Valeo 180w Alternator with part nos:

059 903 015R
TG17C020
2542784B
705174349

Same as this second hand one on Ebay

AUDI Q7 3.0 TDI ALTERNATOR 059903015R 059 903 015R FOR £90 | eBay

Will first see if I can cross reference and try and change the regulator first...looks easy enough to do in situ...even for me

Found a regulator for less than £34 delivered and will give it a go, all belts and pulleys look OK!

VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR VALEO ALTERNATOR TO FIT AUDI A6 Q7 TOUAREG 2.7 3.0 TDi | eBay

This post may be useful for anyone else that's got a faulty alternator in locating the Valeo part no, am sure as easy to identify if you have a bosch one as well which is also fitted to a 2007 & 2008. Am guessing the alternator manufacturer was between both of them or changed in 2007 meaning Audi couldn't confirm which was fitted to my car specifically.

Will let you know how it goes when I make the change...hopefully at the end of the week

Had it been the Bosch one the regulator would have been half the Valeo price...those darned Frenchies!!

[gupsterg]

Will let you know how it goes when I make the change...hopefully at the end of the week

Hi ya mate,

Here is an experience share/guide someone posted, Link:- A6 C6 rear screen defroster not working - Page 3

I hope you can do it in situ mate, looking at my engines pics looks like a tight space.



And I have same alternator, the 7xxxxxxxx must be serial of alternator.



ATB
G

[MarkTM]

Gup, how on earth did you find that post??

Well done, I've just updated that thread and advised I believe (courtesy of me removing the cover on the back of the alternator) that I can change the regulator with the alt in situ.

Being a shorthouse with small hands DOES have some advantages.

Thanks again mate.

M

[Guest 2]

Think he saves threads for reference?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sam]

Think he saves threads for reference?

...and VWAF is a better place for it

Gup-Marvo the Memory Man-ster, we salute you!

[MarkTM]

Completed fitting a new regulator to my car today, took 2hr and done from underneath

Battery warning now not coming on, previous regulator brushes were toast.

Took pics of the install so will post up later.

So need to take the front off and all the malarky about having to reallign the bumper

Will post pics of the job later

[MarkTM]

How to change the regulator on your Alternator
Audi A6 2007 3.0 TDi Quattro Tiptronic

History
I had the misfortune to break down 10 miles from home when trying to get back to pick my children up from school.

The fault manifested itself like this
ESP/Tracking control warning , then parking brake malfunction, then all of the gear lights lit The car was successfully jump started but only managed to travel a few hundred yards, so I had to call a breakdown service to be trailered home. The battery (the original one) had no juice in it at all. The problem is when this happens the EPB locks on so you can't push your car to the side of the road!!

Owning VCDS I ran a fault scan and virtually all of the electric items were showing a failure, these were cleared and only one remained.
As the battery was 7yrs old I replace it with one of these:

610 200 Varta Silver Dynamic Car Battery 12V 110Ah (Short Code: I1)(Varta DIN: 610 402 092 ) - Car Batteries - Varta Car Batteries
You should be able to buy one for around the £100 mark.

However, on changing I was getting a battery regulator fault and it turns out that my long coding was slightly out, Gup offered assistance

My Coding: 344630393135313035442056413035353136303132303133
Gups Coding: 344630393135313035442056413030373136303632303134

Once changed to Gups coding my battery regulator DTC disappeared! :O) But was replaced by this one

1 Fault Found:
02252 - Generator
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101100
Fault Priority: 1
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 111
Mileage: 166262 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2014.06.16
Time: 16:05:48

Also the battery charging light still came on 15 seconds after start up.

So I had 3 choices:

1. Fit a new Alternator involving removing the front bumper (a 2 man job) and then you've the problems of aligning the bumper on refit = £500 parts & labour
2. Fit a reconditioned or used alternator £250 parts and labour
3. Fit a new regulator to the existing alternator = £35 parts & DIY

Checked with Audi and apparently my MY either had a Bosch or a Valeo Alternator and the only way to be sure was to remove the undershield and check myself (as the car was not safe to drive).

The regulator for a Bosch alternator was £15 delivered and £34 if the Valeo (both from Ebay)…mine was the Valeo. Now I could have ordered the regulator from Audi but their price was £76 for either and I would have to collect it.

Checking which Alternator
Removed undershield and was presented by an Alternator with it’s VW part no as well as the Valeo codes

059 903 015R
TG17C020
2542784B
705174349

Tools to replace regulator
With the car on ramps on my drive (Rhino ramps that raise the front wheels by 7 inches) I then assembled my tools
Ratchet Wrench with 13mm socket Wire Brush inspection lamp 7mm socket
Screwdriver with flexible extension 7mm spanner 13mm spanner Socket screwdriver Long reach flat blade screwdriver

tools.jpg


You will also need something to raise your head to allow you to get the right angle to view/work, I used a couple of old leatherette sofa pillows, you need to place these against the side of the drivers inside front wheel

Removing the regulator

Disconnect the battery (negative terminal before positive) - 5 mins
Unclip the D clip release is on the underside and not visable apply pressure to the underside with a mid sized screwdriver and pull connector out – 5 mins
Undo main cable that leads to starter motor – 5 mins

Prise off the cover on the back of the alternator, luckily no screws and comes off quite easily – 5 mins. You will be left with this view

1.jpg

Undo the two retaining screws on the right of the regulator using the 7mm wrench

2.jpg


Space is tight and you can only do half-turns but it is possible – 15 mins

Now the toughest socket where you’ll need the flexible extension screwdriver and 7mm long depth socket.
This bolt also doubles as a retainer for the alternator back cover, so the long depth socket. You'll find it with your fingers but are working in the blind slightly – 10 mins

Undone I gently pulled off the old regulator to be covered in fine brush dust…this was the spindle of the alternator

3.jpg


The bottom most section (where the inward most brush sits) looked terrible, but a quick zapp with a wire brush and I found that it was fine - 5 mins
This was the old regulator next to the new one…see if you can spot which is which?

4.jpg

As you may see the old brushes were completely fried. You have to remove the brush cover (the circular plastic bit that goes around the brushes) from the new regulator before you fit it

For refitting I found that attaching the right upper bolt loosely first allowed me to pivot the brushes to engage on the spindle correctly. Then screw in the leftmost bolt fully before tightening the other two up and sliding the brush cover on until it clicks in. Then snap on the alternator cover reconnect the leads and link to starter and reconnect the battery (negative last) 25 mins.

Job done and no fault on dash anymore

I SORN'd the car on Monday so will make do with the XK8 until August, and since the Audi's on ramps with the undershield off, I may as well do an oil change (at 8k miles) and check the tightness of any screws/bolts and treat any visable rust.

Howzat!!??

[gupsterg]

Think he saves threads for reference?

Occasionally but what I do use is the under used/valued search facility!

...and VWAF is a better place for it

Gup-Marvo the Memory Man-ster, we salute you!

Cheers mate! without sounding like a award speech! I gotta say thanks to all that post as I have learnt so much from others .

Howzat!!??

Super job Mark! great write up!

From my pic in post 3 I can see a date code of 07/05, so I'm assuming either I have a week 7 of 2005 alternator or July 2005 so it maybe worth my while to give it some TLC!

I may do this job on mine whilst the summery weather is about, as knowing my luck with my car it may have fault on the regulator in the middle of a freezing winter day!

[MarkTM]

Mine was a 2007 alternator and the cars done 102k miles, I'd recommend it to anyone for the sake of £35 as a bit of preventative maintenance, it can be done cheaper (£10) if your a dab hand with a soldering iron and just want to buy/fit the brushes.

Am happy to drop you my ramps to use Gup as am driving near you first week August.