Anyone changed an Alternator on a Ka (ck)?

[cort16]

Hello, my step sister has a 2004 Ford Ka 1.3. It recently had a spate of the battery being flat in the mornings so they changed the battery. Shortly after this they were driving along on it, all the lights on the dash came on and it conked out.

The took it to a local auto spark who quoted them £600 to change the alternator. Seems a bit salty to me but they mentioned that the power steering pipes are in the way, which rot and snap off when you try to remove them.

I've had a quick google of it and the general consensus is it's a friggin nightmare. brittle cables,  impossible bolts and serious access problems means it's supposed be properly hard work.

 

600 quid though.

 

It's life and death for this thing as it's probably worth 600 quid and is likely to need work for it's MOT. If it's going to potentially cost 600 quid it'll be getting binned.

Anyone any experience or work arounds for doing this? I nearly volunteered to change it until I read up on it on the web.

 

OMG ITZ SHIT AND NOT EVN A VXHAUL!!

[CortinaDave]

Just googled it - sounds a 'mare. Is it worth shopping around garages for a better price? The forum I just looked at had a post from last year in which he was complaining that he'd been quoted £250 supply and fit.

 

I suspect the local sparky just doesn't want the gig so has given a ridiculous quote

[cort16]

I think you're right. They mentioned one they had in before that was a total mare so they're probably quoting a make it worth our while price.

[twosmoke300]

Changing a pas pump is a bastard so I expect an altenator is no better

 

Where are you , im in cornwall and I bet I could do it for a hell of a lot less

[Asimo]

Another type of vehicle to avoid owning at all costs then!  Good luck.

[cort16]

Changing a pas pump is a bastard so I expect an altenator is no better

 

Where are you , im in cornwall and I bet I could do it for a hell of a lot less

 

Scotchland. They could probably fly you up, put you in a hotel and it still be cheaper than 600 quid.

[Station]

If you gave it to, I'd take 600 quid, undo six bolts holding the engine in, buy an engine crane and do it in a few hours. What's the point breaking your arms in several places and take two days doing it? Lifting an engine out isn't a big deal.

[Barry Cade]

Check the charge rate- it might be one of these daft smart charge alternators, which if fitted need a silver calcium battery or it won't last long. If you pull the plug out the alternator- which will have 3 wires if its a fancy one- it should operate as a normal alternator, but with the battery light on. Had loads of issues with these lately.

 

VERY common for the loom to the plug to be burnt also. Never had to change an actual alternator in a Ka yet, even working in a Ford dealership.

 

 

http://www.valeoservice.com/data/master/webfile/2945759434DDE6E8714173.pdf

 

 

 

If I was to change one- I'd go in by removing the headlight, and going in that way. Looks doable.

[cort16]

It does have smart charge on it as it's one of the later ones. They just changed the battery before it chucked it if the put the wrong one it could this make it throw it's hands in the air like it just don't care and conk out?

[ruffgeezer]

Check the small plug on the back of the alternator, they are prone to rotting with either the cable coming out or the pins getting grotty.

 

To remove the alternator it is bumper off, headlamp out just for access.

[cort16]

Unfortunately the car's in the Borders and I'm in Ayrshire. This is all being transposed through my Dad who was a mechanic 30 years ago and although savvy in the dark arts a bit out of touch with modern cars and a bit too old to be arsed crawling around under them. I've passed on the comments I think the best bet is just to take it somewhere else.

[mercrocker]

Got a towbar?

[Richard]

Scotchland. They could probably fly you up, put you in a hotel and it still be cheaper than 600 quid.

 

My friend did that a few years ago the other way round. SAAB had quoted some ridiculous amount to change the clutch and slave cylinder on a 900- even more galling because they were going to charge the book time for each job when it's impossible not to do them simultaneously. It worked out cheaper to fly Dave from Fife to Stanstead, pay him for his time and feed him while he was down there.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

 I did one today, but on a 2002 OHV shitter. Not a bad job really, bumper and light out, pissing around with T40 torx bolts and 'that' PAS pump bolt right under the pipe - I got that out with a good sharp wood chisel ot loosen it and long nosed grips.