New Alternator. How much?

mossstitchmama

Got an 06 reg C Max. Didn't start this morning so called RAC. They fitted a new battery (the duff one was the original one so I can't complain really). He also told me the alternator is on its way out.

Car is booked in to a Ford garage next week for a recall (Engine Cooling Fan Control Module). Should I ask them to look at the alternator while they have it and how much is this likely to cost?

JustinR1979

Several hundreds of pounds at Ford no doubt.
No harm in getting a quote.

Hintza

Try here:-

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/alternator

BeenThroughItAll

One piece of advice. The C-Max uses Ford's smart charging system, which can be very unreliable. Ford will almost certainly try selling you a new £700 alternator, but it is worth getting a proper auto electrician to look at it, as problems with the SCS on this and other Fords of the same era are often down to the SCS wiring loom to the three-pin triangular plug on the alternator, or corrosion within the fusebox - problems in these areas can be very cheap fixes and can often be mis-diagnosed as a faulty alternator. Many charging problems on these are misdiagnosed in any case, as the SCS can provide charging voltages anywhere between 10 and 19V at the battery, which can look like under or overcharging if you're unfamiliar with the system.


Don't just fit an alternator and hope it cures the issue - the silver calcium batteries used on these high-output SCS cars are generally very reliable, and failure is often a result of a problem within the charging system (as it seems is indicated by the diagnosis of needing an alternator in your case). If there is an underlying issue with the SCS, a new alternator could very well fail again quickly. Get the whole system checked by someone who knows what they're doing with Fords.


Also, if you do end up having to buy a new alternator and go to CP4L or ECP, DON'T buy an RTX. They have a dire reputation and out of three I've fitted, one stopped working after 24 hours, one didn't work at all on fitting, and the other lasted 9 months. Buy a Bosch/Denso/Lucas or whatever is recommended as the 'premium' non-Ford version.

mossstitchmama

Ok, thanks for all the advice. I am hoping that Ford could fit a new part whilst the have the car in for the recall, possibly mitigating some of the labour cost. Not a hope in heck of buying the part and fitting it myself.

I only have the RAC chaps word that it is on the way out but I don't think he would have any reason not to tell the truth. Time to get the wallet out....

SailorSam

I wouldn't get it done at a Ford main dealer

http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/Ford_Focus%20C-MAX_Alternators.aspx

Bollotom

Got mine done last year, total cost £360. C-Max 2006 Tcdi, Ford main dealer.

mossstitchmama

Bollotom wrote: »

Got mine done last year, total cost £360. C-Max 2006 Tcdi, Ford main dealer.

Thank you. Just going to phone the dealer for a quote and then try the local garage we use for servicing and MOT. It would be easier if Ford did it while it is there for the recall.