A scarlet sign just popped up on the screen saying "Generator failure" or something to this extend.

I recon the alternator has failed - something to be expected for a 2004 car. The car is still under extended warranty is always kept on a trickle charge. My question is - is it safe to drive it 16 miles to a dealer, or should I get a tow? I'd think that a fully charged battery should provide enough juice to last the trip even in the absents of the alternator, or should I not risk it?

 

I take it back, it actually is 23 miles.

 

i would drive it.

 

Recently I read a thread about an alternator going bad and it cost the guy 2-3k bucks. I can't really remember what happened. It had something to do with other parts failing because he drove on battery power only. Want me to look for the thread? Do you have towing on your insurance?

EDIT: I was wrong, the guys battery was bad.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...3k-damage.html

 

Yes, I saw that thread. Frankly, I think that the guy was ripped off. I can see these alternators on ebay for $200 after the core charges and it is about two hours of labor to replace one.

I have fidelity platinum warranty on the car. This will be the first time I'll use it. There is an indy porsche shop - atspeedmotorsport just a few miles from my house, so that would be an alternative place.

I'm going to call the warranty company first to inquire whether I can take my car to an indy place. Their line is closed today and probably will be closed tomorrow.

 

I think if you fully charge your battery up the night before you should be right. Try to turn all the electrical items off though and don't use your headlights. The car will run on the battery's power it just won't recharge it.

 

I just had my alternator fail. Your fine to drive it, I was driving.around for days keepin the revs up so it didn't die at lights or in traffic. No harm done. When I had it replaced I was quoted $1600 for OEM alt. But it ended up being $900 for aftearket from dealer + $300 labor

 

The same thing has just happened to me. Light came on and when I looked the volt meter on the dash was less than 11 volts. I put a battery charger on overnight. Went for a 30 mile run and just made it. The battery voltage went from just below 12v after a night on the charger down fairly slowly until it got below 11v and then dropped v fast affter that. Quite nerve racking. At below 10v all sorts of warning lights came on, ABS, PSM, airbags, the tiptronic lights went mad, then the car started to missfire and nearly stalled. Just got home. Charged her up again and all lights were normal again.

She is going in tomorrow, another sweaty run but not as far, I am getting the voltage regulator replaced rather than the alternator as there is a massibe difference in price. I got the regulator ( Bosch part F-00M-145-350 translates to Porsche number 000-043-206-37
) from my local car spares place for €55 aagainst an alternator for €260. If you have warranty no worries though.

I think you will make it if no traffic but the car sucks the batteries current like theres no tomorrow. Turn of everything you dont need and dont stop as re starting the engine is obviously hungry on current. Good luck and let us know how you get on

 

Thanks for good suggestions.

I'm not sure why the alternator prices that have been quoted are so high. From my previous 996 I know that it needs Bosch AL0812X for an MT car. And these can be had quite cheap on ebay or other online sources
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l2736&_nkw=AL0812X

 

Yea, you're probably right about guy getting the shaft. I found some alts on-line for 117.00 bucks. Looks like its a few hour job.

 

Yes, we can only wish that a car dealer will not capitalize on the opportunity to make additional money on somebody who is in need of an urgent repair.

 

Just got mine back from getting the alternator done. I bought the regulator which turned out to be €50 and the specialist charged me €82.60 for 2 hours labour to remove the alternator, fit the reg and replace all. Seems the battery was OK. Think I got away lightly but I am in Spain and we have 25% unemployment here so maybe they are just being forward thinking as I will definately go back to them. The other work was change the 3 front diff seals. Got the parts from Porsche as well as 2 litres of the reccomended Porsche oil for €110 and the Specialist labour was €165 to fit them, they also re fixed all the loose rattly plastic under tray pieces properly.

I am not bragging. I bought the 996TT because its a supercar which can be run by a mortal. It doesn't do Porsche any favours charging silly prices like above. Sure they need to protect the brand and its not a Ford but there is value at every price point and customers talk...

 

That's very sensible price as far as the labor value goes. Everyone here charges at least $100/hr for automotive repair work.

 

The car should be fine to drive w/the alternator malfunctioning but make sure the belt is still on and tight as it also drives the water pump. I'd drive the car while keeping an eye on engine temperature. If you don't let it overheat, should be fine.

 

The belt is on and it rotates just fine. However, since the alternator is dead (more like the voltage regulator is dead), then at some point, the ignition will fail, right?