I'm look
ing at buying a 2001 VW beetle...The sales guy said
it had the alternator replaced and then recently they had to replace it with another one because he said it was a %26quot;bad alternator%26quot;. How does this effect future auto proble
ms, meaning does this constant alternator changing signal an electrical problem? I'm trying to avoid getting ripped off here.
Replacing an alternator 3 times?
Just asked my husband who is a mechanic, and he said not to buy the car, because there could be a major problem in the wiring.
Replacing an alternator 3 times?
either crappy parts or the battery still has a fault
crappy mechanics most likely
First with Electrical, The Charging System, Take it to a shop and inspect it. They check the battery first by load testing it. Then the charging system and wiring. Try that first. Don't go to a parts dealer, They aren't a mechanic.
VW's are noted for electrical problems,it sounds fishy to me,personally I wouldn't buy it as parts are very e
xpensive.
i had to replace mine 3 time in 2 months six years ago and have not had a problem yet and now the truck has over 210,000 miles. some times they are just bad.
a lot of times the problem isn't the altenator. it sometimes can be one of these things. 1 if battery is not holding a charge then it can hurt the alternator, 2 if the starter is going bad it can hurt the battery then in turn hurt the alternator.
the best thing to do is take it to a local Kwick Kar lube and pay them to check it out. they won't charge much. tell them the problem. also ask the sales guy what kind of alternator they replaced it with. sometimes if you use junk parts or parts from local auto parts store then they are rebuilt junk... ask for the paper work on the alternator so if it dies again you can get one for free.
Unfortunately, modern VW cars do not have a good repair rating from buyers. Seems they just can't make them as sturdy as the originals from 60s and 70's.
I would stay away from this specific Beetle. If they had to replace alternator couple times in such short time, yes, there is probably a short or electrical problem with it. But that doesn't mean that others will be that way. I wouldn't believe the car salesman about a %26quot;bad alternator%26quot; because it's more likely an electrical problem. It's always possible that it's a true story, a bad new alternator, but don't take the chance. You might end up having to pay for another new alternator and they're not cheap. Like many others here, I suggest looking for different Beetle.
If you are buying it from a VW dealer, it's likely they properly diagnosed the problem and replaced the faulty alternator. if not, either find something else or take it to a VW dealer for diagnostics. it will cost a little,but a lot less than repeated alternator failures. Try to work the cost into your purchase deal,if it passes you pay,if not the dealer pays for the diagnostics and repair. I say to use a VW dealer because they are trained in that particular system, and work on VW's almost exclusively
they see this problem regularly.
that don,t mean nothing. maybe the other alternator was,nt very good so they changed it. that don,t mean you will have to change it.
Sounds like an electrical issue. If I were you, and I have worked in the auto field everyday for 25 years, do not buy the newer beetles, they are nothing but a money pit.
a bad battery will put a constant load on the alternator %26amp; kill it.
But VW had alot of electrical problems around those years.
you can get a report on these electrical problems from VW (free)
by the way how does this salesman know that it was a bad alternator
i'm sure he has documentation !
i have a hunch your right
german cars are known for faulty electrical systems. one alternator is expected but three in a row, i suspect that the problem is not with the alternator only. you do indeed have an electrical problem.
