Alternator Reconditioning Cost for 05' Volvo S60?

Zackeroo on 28/04/2024 - 13:27
Last edited 29/04/2024 - 22:26 by 1 other user

Just wondering what a normal alternator reconditioning cost would be for an 05' S60. Alternator fitting is quite simple and shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes.

I got a quote of $450 including reconditioning, fitment and supposedly "1 year warranty". This honestly seems quite solid to me. They will be replacing the voltage regulator too as part of this (I reckon that could be the cause of my fault alternator).

Not including fitting costs, I found a scrap yard alternator for $135, brand new aftermarket one for $305, and OEM one for $550.

FYI the location I called up said the price wasn't negotiable as he reckons no one else would do it cheaper.

Just want to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

Edit: Not replying to anymore comments. All the junk replies seem to be coming in now. I'd rather not DIY — simple as that. I'm happy to pay someone to remove and fit the alternator for me. As I've mentioned, I reckon $450 seems solid, I just made this post to check in with people with experience in this field. In no way am I downplaying anyone's work. FYI I have a local mechanic I've gone to for years who recommended I could either purchase the alternator on my own and he would fit it, or to head to an auto electrician to recondition it. Hence the two options I've provided here.

Thanks to all the people who gave serious replies. I'll be reconditioning it next week.

Automotive Car Volvo

Comments

  • 7ekn00 on 28/04/2024 - 13:52
    +4

    Cheap for a Euro repair job …

    • Zackeroo on 28/04/2024 - 13:54

      Thanks for this, I don't have much of a baseline so this is good to know. That being said, these old Volvos are quite simple to work on, and aren't too different from your average Camry from the same age. It's the newer ones that are a pain haha :)

    • HeWhoKnows on 29/04/2024 - 07:43
      +1

      Yep Super Cheap fix
      OP should go for it or one of thier other cheap options

  • JIMB0 on 28/04/2024 - 13:55

    Aftermarket is crap. I had a Bosch that had a horrible electrical whining noise. I ended up getting a good one from the junk yard.

    If you haven't got time or aren't doing it yourself then get a reconditioned one fitted. That way it's the one place supplying and fitting. Getting one from the junk yard would be cheaper, but then you're dealing with 2 different places if it doesn't work.

    • Zackeroo on 28/04/2024 - 13:57
      -1

      Thanks. When you say to "get a reconditioned one fitted", do you mean to outsource a reconditioned one on my own and get it fitted, or to go to one of these auto elecricsl shops and get it sorted there?

      From what I've seen, aftermarket is indeed very hit or miss. Was going to buy an OEM Bosch one but it costs 20% of the car's value including fitting lol.

      • JIMB0 on 28/04/2024 - 13:58
        +1

        Get it all done at one reputable place to avoid headaches. For common models they'll have rebuilt ones ready to swap over. Otherwise you'll need to wait while they rebuild your old one.

        • Zackeroo on 28/04/2024 - 14:00

          Yea from experience this seems to be the best way to go. That way, if the alternator fails, I don't have to go contacting some eBay seller to sort things out. Thanks, I'll most likely go ahead with the auto electrician for $450.

    • dkwon10 on 28/04/2024 - 16:26

      Not all aftermarket parts for euro cars are trash.. for example after market water pump for vw golf is more reliable than OEM ones. Not sure about alternator for Volvo tho

      • afoveht on 28/04/2024 - 17:30

        About 10 years ago I had an aftermarket water pump fitted to a golf V. It was leaking within a couple of years.

  • Muzeeb on 28/04/2024 - 13:55
    +2

    I just skimmed this video. To do the swap in 20 minutes would be pretty quick. Quite a few accessories and bolts to remove for access.

    Process looks straight forward so if you perform basic auto diy and have a torx set you should give it a go.

    Put the labour $$$ you save into a decent alternator.

    • Zackeroo on 28/04/2024 - 13:59
      -1

      Ah I'd love to do it on my own, although I'm unable to as I have to park my car on the street and therefore don't have a comfy garage to work in.

      It does indeed look like quite a simple install. FCP Euro (the video you sent) is excellent, which is why I was trying to negotiate with the auto electrician. They said $250 for the recondition on it's own, and $200 extra for removal and fitting.

      • barge-in hunter on 28/04/2024 - 14:32

        So if you’re not diying, you’ll expect a mechanic to fit a part that you supply?

        If the part is faulty or fails shortly after it’s fitted, you’ll have to pay for a replacement part and their labour again.

        A lot of mechanics won’t do that, as they have no control over the quality of the part you provide, and believe it or not, dont want you to have that bad experience in the case of a faulty part

  • slknv on 28/04/2024 - 14:02
    +1

    I bought an aftermarket alternator for my CLK for $220, replaced it myself in about 30 minutes - just need to slip off the serpentine belt and 2 bolts. Not a difficult nor expensive job if you DIY. You don't need a "comfy garage" to do it.

    • Zackeroo on 28/04/2024 - 14:07

      I live alongside a very busy street. I'd rather not DIY this in that location. When I move into a house (eventually) I'm looking forward to working on my car on my own. For now, I wouldn't even do an engine oil change alongside that road. Too dusty and uncomfortable.

      Thanks though… As discussed with Jimbo, I reckon avoiding purchasing the alternator from one place and installing from another could save me some hassle if the alternator dies out on me within the 1 year warranty period.

      Plus, I've been trying to stay away from aftermarket alternators, especially ones from Auto8. This auto electrician says he uses OEM guts, seems promising 🤷‍♂️

  • payless69 on 28/04/2024 - 16:27

    I did an alternator replacement myself on a Kangoo built in France supposed to resemble a Kangaroo built by Citroen.
    The trade in to get a rebuild was a lot more than 450 bucks!

  • JimmyF on 28/04/2024 - 16:53

    Alternator fitting is quite simple and shouldn't take longer than 20 minutes

    Cool, so you can DIY then?

    • Zackeroo on 28/04/2024 - 16:54
      -4

      Stop trying to be smart. I can DIY, yes… If I still lived in a house. I'm not going to attempt an alternator replacement alongside a 70kmh main road.

      • JimmyF on 28/04/2024 - 16:58

        Stop trying to be smart

        Stop trying to downplay others work.

        If I still lived in a house.

        Not sure what that has to do with anything. If its a 20 min job, surely you can do it in a carpark.

        I'm not going to attempt an alternator replacement alongside a 70kmh main road.

        Who said you had to?

      • brendanm on 28/04/2024 - 17:32
        +1

        Do it in a carpark.

  • mini2 on 29/04/2024 - 10:01
    +1

    Check out RockAuto or FCPEuro and see if it's cheaper to buy the parts out of the US.

  • backpaqer on 29/04/2024 - 10:38

    I had a Nissan Maxima 2000 model. The dealer wanted $1100 each time one died and they were pretty regular at 6 years. Paid for the first replacement and then after that did them myself for $240 for a brand new aftermarket. The only trick to those were that although you could see them from above, they had to go out through the bottom. Skid plates off, aircon compressor unbolted and then it was only a one hour job.

    I had a Nissan Pathfinder before that. Dealer wanted $600. Reconditioner wanted $400. I pulled it out myself…it was a Mitsubishi unit and I bought a pair of carbon brushed for a Commodore alternator and ground them down to fit in my alternator using a dremel tool. $4.50 from the local auto shop. Worked fine for years after that!!

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join