Dead A127 repair or replace ?

[jonathanA]

My 70A A127 alternator gave up the ghost yesterday. 

I'm saying that based on warning light illuminated, alternator whizzing round, voltage at 12.7-12.9 (I.e battery voltage), the alternator had probably been working quite hard prior to the buzzer/light coming on.

 

A quick check shows a new one can be had for 50 - 60 quid or thereabouts and a repair kit around 20 quid. My inclination is to get a new one (presumably a Chinese copy) and then bugger about with the old one at my leisure.

 

I rang one of the local places that does reconditioned starters/alternators and thst was basically his suggestion  "just buy a 50 quid one mate not worth rebuilding them... "

 

I'm also assuming it's the rectifier that's gone bang and wondering how I know a replacement diode pack is 70A rated ? 

Any suggestions for a good source of spare bits ? 

[Tony Brooks]

Could just as easily be brushes or slip rings and you won't know until you strip, inspect and test. It might even be the regulator but less likely. Cargo seem to be a favored spares supplier to the auto-electrical trade.

 

I would buy a new one so you can investigate/repair the old one at leisure as a spare.

[jonathanA]

Thanks Tony,  

 

Yes that's seems the sensible approach.

 

Another project to add to the list 🙂

[MtB]

5 hours ago, Tony Brooks said:

I would buy a new one so you can investigate/repair the old one at leisure as a spare.

 

I would just buy two new ones and keep one as a spare! 

[frangar]

5 hours ago, jonathanA said:

My 70A A127 alternator gave up the ghost yesterday. 

I'm saying that based on warning light illuminated, alternator whizzing round, voltage at 12.7-12.9 (I.e battery voltage), the alternator had probably been working quite hard prior to the buzzer/light coming on.

 

A quick check shows a new one can be had for 50 - 60 quid or thereabouts and a repair kit around 20 quid. My inclination is to get a new one (presumably a Chinese copy) and then bugger about with the old one at my leisure.

 

I rang one of the local places that does reconditioned starters/alternators and thst was basically his suggestion  "just buy a 50 quid one mate not worth rebuilding them... "

 

I'm also assuming it's the rectifier that's gone bang and wondering how I know a replacement diode pack is 70A rated ? 

Any suggestions for a good source of spare bits ? 

Whilst I agree with the just buy a new one just be a bit wary of those being sold on eBay....I ordered a 70A version which when fitted produced around 55-60 amps max on start up....and sounded a bit ropey....I then got another one from an alternator specialist in nottingham which not only produced 75A on start up but also sounded a lot nicer.....the cost was only about £10 more....

[Tony Brooks]

4 minutes ago, frangar said:

Whilst I agree with the just buy a new one just be a bit wary of those being sold on eBay....I ordered a 70A version which when fitted produced around 55-60 amps max on start up....and sounded a bit ropey....I then got another one from an alternator specialist in nottingham which not only produced 75A on start up but also sounded a lot nicer.....the cost was only about £10 more....

I agree, I avoid Ebay unless it is the shop from a well known supplier.

[jonathanA]

That's interesting a local well known auto electrical place (ribblesdale auto electrical) have quoted me £60 for an exchange unit. The fact it was exchange was interesting, made me think they aren't just cheap Chinese Imports. They are well known to trade locally too. 

[frangar]

2 minutes ago, jonathanA said:

That's interesting a local well known auto electrical place (ribblesdale auto electrical) have quoted me £60 for an exchange unit. The fact it was exchange was interesting, made me think they aren't just cheap Chinese Imports. They are well known to trade locally too. 

Id go with that if I was you...and you have a desk to bang if it isnt whats promised.

[jonathanA]

Thanks yes always good to deal with a real person rather than some ebay seller...

 

Not sure how much extra it will be without the xchange like to know what went on the old one.

[Mike Hurley]

15 minutes ago, jonathanA said:

Thanks yes always good to deal with a real person rather than some ebay seller...

 

 

Especially if you dont speak Mandarin.

[frangar]

46 minutes ago, jonathanA said:

Thanks yes always good to deal with a real person rather than some ebay seller...

 

Not sure how much extra it will be without the xchange like to know what went on the old one.

The unit I got from nottingham was an outright sale and was only £10 more than the eBay one....it even came with a pulley and fan

[pete.i]

10 hours ago, MtB said:

 

I would just buy two new ones and keep one as a spare! 

👍

[jonathanA]

Just by way of an update. 

 

I found these guys dfjauto.com who happen to be local to me and seem to do just about any alternator or starter you could ever want. 

 

I got a 70A A127 for 69 quid outright, seems to be of reasonable quality with 12 months warranty 

 

Even though they clearly refurbish stuff they were not interested in looking at my old one so something for me to do one day.... 

Edited February 23, 2022 by jonathanA
Corrected typo from dfg to dfjauto.com

[David Mack]

1 hour ago, jonathanA said:

 

I found these guys dfgauto.com who happen to be local to me and seem to do just about any alternator or starter you could ever want. 

Google doesn't find that or anything similar. Typo perhaps?

[PCSB]

4 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Google doesn't find that or anything similar. Typo perhaps?

There is a company in Poulton-le-Fylde with that name that has just been dissolved according to companies house (dissolution on 1 Mar 2022 - yep a future date) ... so if they are the company any guarantee may not be worth very much.

[jonathanA]

33 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Google doesn't find that or anything similar. Typo perhaps?

 

27 minutes ago, PCSB said:

There is a company in Poulton-le-Fylde with that name that has just been dissolved according to companies house (dissolution on 1 Mar 2022 - yep a future date) ... so if they are the company any guarantee may not be worth very much.

Oops apologies its https://dfjauto.com/

And since I actually visited them I'm pretty confident they'll still be there next month too....

[PCSB]

No apology needed, I was curious why David didn't find them so took a peek. Glad they are still there too!