I have read the forum about the alternator/ pulley failures. Today I got the dreaded "Alternator Worshop" warning message. I have checked the rotor with a small screw driver and it moves freeley clockwise and solid anticlock wise. Also checked all leads and they are secure (is the M6 heavy tag the black plug on the back of the alternator?). Multimeter reads 11.8v so there is no charge to the battery. so i presume it has to be the alternator.

Its the Valeo alternator not the Bosch one.

Can you remove the alternator without specialist tools? The bolts look easy enough. How long should it take.

I plan to buy a alternator with new pulley as the car has done 70k and this will give peace of mind in the future.

The viscous fan coupling prevents you from removing the lower alternator fixing bolt. The fan coupling is easy to slide forwards if you can get the central axial bolt holding the fan assembly to its bearing out. You need an 8mm hex key and the bolt is fitted from the back - there's a hole in the bracket to get to it.

The difficulty you may have is holding the fan hub (the drum which the belt runs on). There is a VAG holding tool which has 2 pegs to engage in the holes in the drum web. Alternatively, use a 19 AF spanner on the belt adjuster and tighten the belt to prevent the drum from slipping as you release the bolt. The bolt has a normal (RH) thread. If your cambelt has been changed recently, the bolt will be easy to get out. Once the bolt is out, just pull the fan forwards about an inch without removing it.

I once had to change a Passat alternator in an emergency with very few tools. I released the lower alternator bolt, pulled it forwards and cut the head off. The bolt was then replaced by a piece of M8 studding, a nut and a spring washer.

Before condemning the alternator, check that the warning lamp feed is live with the ignition on or the machine will not polarise.

rotodiesel.

Charge your battery overnight (with at least the neg terminal undone) then see if the message goes, if it does all well and good, if it doesn't, drive locally for 30 minutes, you may find this is just a glitch reporting a failing battery, if it still doesn't go you need a new unit, now read carefully because this is important and could save you money.

Before you run any new alternator make sure the battery is fully charged.

Also although there are two types, both do fit the car, the difference is the location of the earth strap, and possibly the pulley, but I ran the wrong one on mine without any hassles.

I'm telling you this because the Bosch one is £180 recon exchange, and the Valeo one is around £115, a new one from Skoda is around £400.

As for fitting I did a how 2 in the tech section for the Superb, once the fan is dropped into the casing it's a doddle, I had it down to a 20 minute swap out in the end, as the first replacement failed within hours, hence me having to chance the Valeo one at the time, a new battery won't go amiss either, in the manual VAG recommend every 4 years regardless. hth.

Big thanks to both Rotodiesel and Supurbia.

The new alternator is fitted and is working fine. Its a recon Valeo from unipart guarrented for 24 months. Battery was ok. Had to say we did use Rotodiesels Hacksaw method. Replaced a new M8 thread though the back with nut to fix. Great method and fair easier to do next time around. Bloody VW had no bolts in stock and had to go to a fasteners supply shop nearby. Very helpful and guessed it was a alternator bolt !!!! 50p compared to over £1.50 at stealers.

Anyway glad my car is fixed and I can give my sisters 1.0 Micra back. I will not complain too much because it never fails, always passes its MOT and has hardly any electrics for water to ingress. Driving the Micra has also made me admire the countryside even more.

Edited 11 May, 201016 yr by berr0010