I bought my 25k mile '01 996 about 1 month ago. Unfortunately, it only came with one key, so I had to order another for like $250 from the stealership in Austin.

They took the car into the shop to program the key. When they brought it back, all the lights on the dash were on. I said WTF. The service guy said, yeah they just came on when they were programming the key. Looks like you need a new alternator, see how the voltage is like 12V. He said it would be okay to drive the car home and drive it back tomorrow. The car crapped out about 2 blocks from my house (I was very lucky).

Is there anything the stealership could have done while programming the keys to make this happen? I call a tow truck, but decided to take the car to an import car repair shop rather than the dealer.

 

holy hell. Did you buy my car??? LOL

Man, seems strange but the events are probably mutually exclusive

 

it has nothing to do. I replaced my serpentine belt at the dealer (The Collection, awesome service BTW) and after taking my car, my alternator crapped out 2 blocks from the dealership. You shouldn't drive the car as you will get as far as the battery keep sending juice to the sparkplugs, once it's drained you are ****ed. It's weird that they let you go and come back next day.

 

They really should not have let you drive it home (or at least strongly recommended against it), even though it just sounds like a case of bad timing. poor service.

 

How much should I expect it to cost?

 

one of these:




and maybe one of these:

 

$490 for the alternator. My dealer removed the alternator and installed the new one in 20 minutes. Yes, unbelievable. Expect a dealer or indy to charge for 2hrs labor!

 

The indy shop price was $412 for the alternator, plus $180 for the install, and $65 for the tow. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

 

how's the colon?