Hi. I recently had to have my 2005 Crossfire Limited towed to the dealership as it shut down while I was driving. The diagnosis showed that the alternator was bad and the estimate they gave me to repair it was $2200 ($1500 for the alternator and $700 for labor). This seemed extremely high to me as a quick search online showed alternators ranging from $150 to $500. Does anyone have experience replacing an alternator and if so, what would be a reasonable price range to have this repair done.

 

Question # 1 , city and state you live in?

 

You went to a dealer, see my sigline, you make my point very well.

Alternators are $150 (rebuilt) to $400 (new). The job takes no more than 90 minutes and only that long if the replacement is not an exact fit and one must modify the back of the alternator housing to get the B+ cable to fit. Labor rates are $75 to $250 an hour, so say up to $500 labor but only in unusual circumstances.

Auto dealers do not make the huge markups on cars they once did, the service department now must pay the bills more than ever before. If you visit a dealer, the only way to go is to just leave a blank check with the car and accept what will be.

 

Don't go to a dealer at all !!
Find an independent European Automotive Service center to provide service on a Crossfire

 

I live in Silver Spring, MD 20901

 

Heed what pizzaguy and valk said. I was hoping you were close to one of our members.

 

Do you know for sure it was the alternator? Have you tried to start it again?
A more common problem is the crankshaft position sensor failing. When the engine gets hot while running, a bad crankshaft position sensor will just shut the car off and you can't restart it.
However if you let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes the car will start and you can drive it until it heats up enough and the CPS fails again.
If it is the CPS, it's inexpensive and you can replace it yourself in 15 - 20 minutes.
Here's a post that I did when I replaced mine: https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tml#post991272
If it is the alternator, then those guys are trying to rip you off!
You can find an independent Mercedes mechanic using this link: https://www.benzshops.com/near/silver-spring-md

 

Hi, I am experiencing the same thing. Change the alternator doesn't look to difficult. Any recommendations regarding the alternator and/or tools?

 

You can go get one from NAPA, ($150 I think) but it will be a rebuilt and won't last (ask me how I know - I went thru four of them in three years - NAPA provided free replacements but I got tired of changing them.)

I got so mad, I bought a NEW BOSCH from AUtozone, for around $325. MY car had a Valeo, in order to fit the BOSCH, I had to trim the plastic from the back of the housing - but it was not all that hard. I can change a Crossfire alternator in less than an hour now.

As to tools: You need the basic stuff you always need, metric socket set and external torx socket set. YOu yank out the fan assembly first, then take out the alternator, rotating it once you get the bolts out so you can remove the wiring from the back, then "dance" it out past the brackets. Not hard really.

 

If you can't do it yourself, go find a "German Car Garage" that works on Mercedes (most do Mercedes and BMW). The engine/chassis/etc is an R170, same as the SLK320 - there is no "Chrysler" in the car when it comes to engine/chassis.
It's not a hard job. But I agree with others, I'd want to start the engine and verify that the alternator is not charging - altho alternator fails have become REALLY common as the cars have aged.

 

You can buy one online, from Autohaus and FCP Euro, and you can install it. There is a great write-up on how to do it.

 

If you decide to replace the alternator yourself, disconnect the negative battery cable first then the positive cable. Then insulate or secure the cable ends away from the battery.
Maybe I'm over safety conscious, but why take the chance of a loose wire sparking while removing the alternator?
When you're done connect the positive cable first then the negative.