So, not that I ever posted here much but been a member for a while... I was hoping someone could help me (again).

I just took my car in to get a service and also checkout a very slight grinding noise coming from the eng bay. Not quite metal on metal but not something irrelevant. Anyway, they think it's the alternator bearing. Great, I was thinking another $400 I don't have until the guy told me it was going to be $1000 + labor <insert the mini heart attack here>.

So the help I could with is:
Considering the battery light was intermittent and no codes were stored, does this sound like a likely candidate? (It does to me but I'm just a lowly programmer).
The dealer also told me there were two types of alternators for my year (2004). Bosch and Valeo and that they had to take the old one off to find out which one to order. Is this true? From my quick look online I see that the difference appears to be soemthing to do with how it's mounted to the car. I read nothing about requiring one or the other...
Finally, the dealer (who is a new dealer) was cool with me trying to locate on on my own and having it shipped to them. I think they were as suprised as me @ the cost. I found this: 04 2004 Chrysler Crossfire Alternator Bosch Chrysler Alternator
I did notice a few places that sold what appears to be the same thing for $1000. As I got laid off a month ago the difference is huge to me

Please help!

Justin

 

Some of those are Remanufactured & some New.
If it's only a bearing try looking in your phone book for
Automobile Electric Service or Automobile Parts Supplies Used Rebuilt
Something like that, I'v had some of my Trimuph alternators rebuilt before,
last time I think it was $45,00 for the voltage reg.
They will be able to check this out & tell you what it needs & how much.
LESS then a new !!!

 

This sounds extremely expensive to me, something doesn't sound right..

 

That does sound a little overpriced.

If you have to make a decision between the 2.......go with the Bosch. Valeo has been a problematic supplier to the auto companies for years. They are 50/50 on their quality at best. I've been in assembly plants watching people separate Valeo parts into 2 bins before assembly.....good and bad.


BTW....the headlight assemblies in our cars that are a PITA to change bulbs in..........Valeo built 'em.

 

Audi's have alternators supplied by both Bosch and Valeo -- I had the same problem when mine failed a few years ago. I went with a remanufactured unit for $200 instead of dealer OEM for $800. If you can get the mfr and part number off the alternator, you might find a rebuilt unit for the SLK320. Also check directly with Mercedes as I have read on this forum where their parts are sometimes cheaper. Good luck. You need a strong ticker, and sometimes a deep pocket, to own a Crossfire.

 

here is my suggestion and it is expensive but much better then the dealership

i do lots of work on vehicle electronics and always have a need for a larger alt

our stock alt is 120 amp at full load and probably only 50-60 amps on idle

i have contacts who sells alternators that are beefed up and they will do 150amp at idle at 250 at load.

this will set you back $599 for the alternator and it will come with a dyno sheet to show you the power at idle and power at load. Many company will just rewind the alt to get higher output at higher rpm. i get all alternators rebuilt with new stator, voltge regulators and bigger coils. You can get a half *** alternator for around $350 that is High output but will only put out like 40-60 amp at idle. also if for some reason you want a external voltage regulator you can do that do and run at a slight bit higer voltage like 14.8 instead of 14.4 or lower.

hit me up on questions about the alt or wiring i honestly do not think the alternator on our car is that hard to install since it is right there in front of us and plenty of space to work with. I think a newbie like me should be able to do the job in 4 hours or less. I think it books in at around 2.0-2.5 hours.

 

Just buy a used engine on Ebay for $1500.00, remeove the alternator and sell the rest !!!!!!!

All kidding aside, chek Ebay?

 

Just did a quick check at Napa and Schucks auto. They have rebuilt alternators for the Crossfire for less than $250.

 

$207 from Autozone with lifetime warranty.

Duralast Import / Alternator For your 2004 Chrysler Crossfire 3.2L SFI SOHC 6cyl
NEXT





Price:
$207.30

Core*Corevalue is the used part that manufacturers use for rebuilding. AutoZone charges the core value to customers because manufacturers include it in their prices. When you return your core to AutoZone, we'll refund your core charge.:
$54.00

Total:
$261.30










AVAILABILITY
Store:
Visit your local store to special order.
Online:
Ships within 3-5 business days.



Part Number:13928Weight:13.52 lbsWarranty:LLT Notes:120 Amp Premium reman. Save the pulley, fan, shaftkey and/or fan spacer and mounting hardware from your failed alternator. You will need to install these parts on your replacement alternator.
Unit Manufacturer:Bosch / ValeoAmperage:120 ampPulley Type:Sold without a pulleyFan:Internal FanRegulator:Internally RegulatedShipping Information:Overnight and Two Day shipping are not available for PO Box, APO/FPO/DPO or US Territory addresses.

 

If you insist on OEM!
2004 Chrysler Crossfire Alternator Parts - parts.com

 

If it were me I'd run from that dealer. Just m2$. Sounds like you got great advice from other above.

 

I had the same grinding noise (I think) that you're talking about, and it was indeed the alternator. Almost a growling sound.

I just bought a used alternator on ebay for 100 bucks and installed it myself. Been working great ever since. I went with a used Valeo, becuase I thought there were some incompatibilities with Crossfires that were originally equipped with the Valeo unit and switching to a Bosch unit. Maybe someone can shed some light on this?

 

Please tell me that you upgrade the wiring to a MUCH heavier guage when you do these type of coversions... or just post pics of the charred remains!

 

Is this wire large enough for you lolz, I have not installed the alt in my car but i always go overboard on my wiring since i have seen plenty of my customers in the past use freaking 10 gauge wire to run a 1000 watt amp lol. I use 8 gauge on my subs and 12 gauge on my speakers and tweeter. overkill i know but blow me lolz

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I am waiting for some more 1/0 gauge wire to upgrade the power wire from the alt to the battery but that is not too important since it is already 4 agu to begin with but again it can't hurt except my wallet.

 

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https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...plete-wow.html

 

if it is a true high output alternator and you purchase it through me then all of them will come with copper 1/0 gauge ring terminal on the B+ terminal and the casing for ground. I always do the big three upgrade on any system along with additional battery before I decide to go the Alternator route. Where ever you get your alt from make sure it comes with a dyno sheet to many people lie and tell you yeah this thing will do like 300 amp and when you get it and use a clamp amp meter it will do like 150-180 at full load and 50 amps at IDLE lol. you might as well stick with stock alternator in my opinion. GO BIG OR GO HOME!!!!

 

Ok, you guys rock, ty so much for the replies. Here's the scoop for anyone interested.

The dealer is new, the old one went bankrupt. They were actually a lot more helpful.

They found me a Valeo and had it installed and running within 5hrs (yesterday) and charged me $450. I just wasn't going to complain and it meant my transport was done quickly, as a consultant programmer I have to travel to clients daily so losing the car for more than a day was a bit of a pita.

Everything working and sounding great as of yesterday.

Again, very much appreciate all the responses form you guys, and it did help as I showed them the forums and at that point they dropped the price . About running away from them, can't do that until I find someone able to work on my car close by and really, business is business. So any one decent in Ventura or nearby wants to work on my car the job is open!

L8r guys

Justin

 

I just put my Crossfire in for its 48000km service, and with only 3 weeks worth of warranty left, mentioned that there was a noise when cold, which I thought was the accessory belt idler pulley.
Picked up the car and the service manager tells me "lucky youv'e still got some warranty left, cos the noise is Alternator bearings". He tells me the cost of the alternator is AUS$2000.00, which is expensive seeing you can buy a normal Bosch alternator for most other cars for $400.00. AUS$2000.00 is about US$1587.00. If the car was out of warranty, I'd be removing the thing myself, and taking it to an Auto Electrician, to replace the bearings for probably $100.00 .
Cheers Terry