Changing alternator, from 65 to 90 amps

Post by **Macflai** » 02 Oct 2007, 00:06

This morning I bought a second hand alternator, a 90A from a VW Passat, but there are some differences... Passat one has a different pulley for a wider belt, but I think is not a problem to change the pulley...
This new alternator is not the tensioner itself so it has a different design...

I put some pics:

This one is similar to the old 65A:

http://www.elreg.com/images/prod/IA0759.jpg

And this is a compact one, newer style but different "legs"

http://www.funksoulkitty.org/shockypage ... wap100.jpg

I think maybe I can fit the alternator being different legs... what dya think?

Anyone has changed the alternator?

Post by **lhd** » 02 Oct 2007, 00:34

Been looking at doing this for a while now especially as i have a thirsty audio setup.
I'm sure there is a much easier option though, think they do a 90 amp that fits straight on.
Thats not fact but thought it was a lot simpler than that route.
Hopefully someone better in the know will put me right.

Rob.....

Post by **shepster** » 02 Oct 2007, 08:01

Just get a 90Amp one from a Golf, bolts straight on.

Mine was a 45Amp 'plug' type and i fitted a 'post' type one, all you need to do is cut the plug off and replace it with two large 'loop' terminals for the thick wires and a smaller loop for the thinner wire then bolt them to the coresponding posts.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 02 Oct 2007, 08:45

I got one from a T4, not sure which model, but it`s the same fitment (just swap the pulley for the deep-dish T3 one)

Post by **ELVIS** » 02 Oct 2007, 09:02

no-one use google/ebay ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-PASSAT-1-6-DIE ... dZViewItem

Post by **v-lux** » 02 Oct 2007, 09:03

Anyone got any experience of making this modification on a van with a Rev counter?

I would like to upgrade my Alternator to the 90amp, but understand that it would mess with the rev counter readings as the JX Alternator gives out a different current.

Is there a way to modify the 90amp alternator to give out the correct reading for the counter?

Post by **shepster** » 02 Oct 2007, 10:43

I'm not too sure about Diesel alternators but i dont think it has anything to do with the current/amps as such more to do with the size of the pulleys because the signal is given off via the 'winding' opposed to off the coil like on a petrol.

I'm sure someone with a little more knowledge about Diesels will sort you.

Post by **ELVIS** » 02 Oct 2007, 10:50

change pulley ?
http://volksweb.relitech.com/90alt.htm

Post by **Macflai** » 02 Oct 2007, 14:58

oh oh!

Another question: The alternator I bought is from a passat like this:

http://www.selfbase.com/car_interior_da ... 501401.jpg

But it was a petrol model... Are diesel and petrols sharing the same alternator (not Amps but connections or so)? When I dismantled the Passat alternator it had only 2 wires connected, the big one to the big stud (13mm) and in one side a blue one with a fast type connection (it has two connections but just one wire)...

I think I will go right now to the scrapyard to look for another alternator... but please if you know answer my questions!

Thnaks a lot!

Post by **Macflai** » 02 Oct 2007, 21:35

Well,

I have no found any alternator with just one "leg", all the alternators I saw were from modern cars with the multi-v belt, just one belt for all the pulleys...

In fact now I have 2 alternators the Passat one and another one from a Seat Leon TDI (90 Amps)...

I will try to install it, knowing I don't like to do "botched jobs" (Dunno if that is the correct word...)

Post by **v-lux** » 03 Oct 2007, 13:19

change pulley ?
http://volksweb.relitech.com/90alt.htm

Is it really this simple? I'm sure i remember reading something somewhere about it being more complex than this....but perhaps not.

Good news if it is this easy, i would rather uprate the Alternator with the AAZ when it goes in!