i'm having bother finding an alternator in the scrap yards. does anybody know what model of vw or seat might have the same alternator?

Giving us a clue might help, what engine, what age, what make of alternator?

it's a felicia classic 1.3. can't remember off the top of my head what engine it's got - i think it's the high-powered skoda engine as opposed to the vw engine models. first registered december 2000.

mechanic says the alternator has magneton fz82003 on it

petrol engine that is

the alternator is a magneton

Then you wont find it on any other VAG model, Magnetron are Skoda only (as is the 1.3 engine).

Depending on the fault though you can by the regulator for it seperatly and it just unbolts, its also pretty cheap.

if i was to get a new alternator would it have the regulator fitted?

my mechanic tells me that the alternator was putting out too much current for the battery and that it needs replaced. if i was to just get the regulator (he says the guy who does his electrical work tells him that the fault in the alternator can't be fixed), would that mean that if i got a new alternator if the regulator replaced on it's own doesn't work that i'll have a new regulator on the alternator as well?

Overcharging is common on the 1.3. usually fries the battery and shortly after the engine ECU. The new alternator will come with a regulator. The regulator should be at fault on your alternator, iirc last time I checked the regulator was less than £10 so its worth a shot. Dead easy to change, just a couple of srews on the end of the casing.

cheers. i might just order the regulator. a new alternator looks like it'll cost close to a ton (was quoted something like £65+VAT, but i think that's for the non-pas/aircon version), so ten or fifteen quid looks like a good option. i'm sure the autoparts shop would give me a refund if i need more than the regulator.

The PAS/AC version is nearer £250 from Skoda iirc.

Listed as being £19.99 +VAT for the voltage regulator 115 901 253 and if the alternator is 047 903 015 J then it is listed as being £84.60 +VAT. The PAS one 047 903 015 M is £175.14 + VAT

anybody got any pics of a felicia alternator and/or regulator? none of the numbers on my regulator match oem numbers at autofactors or skoda garages.

The number dont often match. The dealer will be able to workout what part number to order from ETKA.

before i left the car with the mechanic it sounded like there was a second engine in there. maybe the alternator is shot afterall!

okay. i got a reconditioned alternator from a skoda garage 50 miles away.

mechanic fitted it earlier today and went to work. when i went to collect it the damn thing won't start. i don't hear starter turning over at all. there's like a humming sound when i switch the ignition on and the airbag light fades to nothing (i can't remember if this is what happens normally).

the guy's probably going to look at it when he gets home from work at 11pm. should i worry that the ecu has been affected by the dodgy alternator or is it likely that the battery just won't hold a charge now? the aircon and flashers are working so the battery isn't completely dead.

any ideas?

also, if it is the ecu, do i need to match the car model if i get one from a scrap yard (ie 2000 skoda felicia classic 1.3mpi with aircon/pas, or match the engine only, or will any felicia ecu do the trick - i hear that later models' ecu has better mpg from other threads in this forum). there are a couple on ebay at the moment at £10 - £15 - is that cheaper than scrapyard prices?

Sounds like the battery is flat to me.

Sounds like the battery is flat to me.

the mechanic put the battery on the charger and then i took it for a 20 mile drive. everything seems okay. all i need to do now is pay my bills.