how to tell if i have a hitachi or a bosch alternator?

[harry1994]

my alternators busted (im guessing) i got a price for a new one but the guy said it depends on what alternator i have in it already if its a hitachi its some thing like $340 and if its a bosch its i thnk he said $265 does this sound right? my question is how to tell what brand i have without taking it out or can you see the brand straight from looking under the hood? (i dont have my car with me so i carnt check right now but will later on today)

[m1lky]

Surely they would be interchangeable? I would also think that it's probably not the factory alternator so the previous owner could have replaced it with an aftermarket one?

Looking at the engine
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/a86.jpg
I would think you could possibly read it from underneath.

[detox_nath83]

regardless they do the same thing.... dont let him get u with that 1 the stooge

or get a wreck one and do it yourself., easy job.

but to answer your question it should be on a tag on the rear, or stamped on it somewhere

[NewVLT]

Usually it was only the early Calais, Berlina's and turbo's that got the Hitachi alternators, so it'd be unlikely.
Mounts and connectors will need changing if you swap one for the other.

Hitachi's are all metal and have an enclosed fan.
Early Bosch (on cheaper models) have an enclosed fan but the rear cover is black plastic.
Later Bosch ones are bigger and have a large external fan.

Craig

[Lazza78]

hey mate u got a pic of ya alternator ??? its easy to tell but lookin at them

edit** one of the left is hitachi and bosch on the right

hope it hopes mate

[87RB30VL]

I have an 87 VL SL, non turbo, auto, and mine was a Bosch. I had to replace mine, too, as it failed on me

[harry1994]

i couldnt have a look at what brand it was since it was at another place and to dark to tell now just had to bump start it up but soon as i put my lights on it feels like its gonna cut out but charging the battery now. cheers for the help guys and 87RB mines the same year and model part from its a manual so im guessing mines a bosch how much was yours to replace?

[mr031]

if you get a bosch, ask them to supply the plug adpator with it if you have the hitachi. If your in brisbane pm me for a rebuild

[87RB30VL]

i couldnt have a look at what brand it was since it was at another place and to dark to tell now just had to bump start it up but soon as i put my lights on it feels like its gonna cut out but charging the battery now. cheers for the help guys and 87RB mines the same year and model part from its a manual so im guessing mines a bosch how much was yours to replace?

Mine cost, I think, about $500 and something including the part, and fitting etc. But my mechanic, as I found out, had a doodle on his forehead, so it's probably cheaper than that.

Edit: Made the swear word child friendly :P

[evBenji]

Can i continue on the discussion??

My Hitachi has failed and it now looks like I will be getting a Bosch alternator as a replacement.

So do I need an adaptor? where can I get one?

Also what is the better alternator of the 2? Am i downgrading by getting the Bosch instead or is the Bosch better?

Thanks for any help