Hi everyone,

I am getting really frustrated. I guess all this happens because I hardly drive the car.

Here is how this started:
I left the car for about 10 days while I was away, my dad connected the trickle charger to maintain the battery, but didn't press the button to turn it on so the battery died. I then connected the charger (and turned it on...) and a few days later I had the scheduled oil change at the dealer.
I drove there and I noticed the voltage gauge is slowly going down while I was driving, long story short (and not so short being stuck on the road) the alternator is dead.
After the oil change I decided to take the car back home since the dealer quoted me for about $1500 for an alternator (plus around $500 labor). That's when I got stuck 1 mile from my house with no power whatsoever. I managed to have a friend come with his truck and charge my battery with cables for 15min and then the car managed to get home.

I left the car to charge hoping with a fully charged battery I could reach the dealer with my new alternator purchased online to be installed. My hopes were shattered this morning as I disconnect the charger, put the key in, turn the ignition and pow - no power even for the dash.
Now my car is in the garage with a dead battery plus a dead alternator.

I looked in the power reduction thread for battery options, there are Odyssey PC1200, PC925, PC680 and Optima red top. I checked and they are all different sizes how do I know which one is comparable to the stock battery? Is it hard to replace the battery on the 996tt? Will a new battery have enough juice without an alternator to drive 10miles to the dealer?
Anything else I can do other than a tow truck?

Thanks

 

I use an Interstate battery; it is a direct replacement (same size) but lighter.

btw, is there any indies in your area? If it is truly the alternator, it should be a easy job for them.

 

Def look for another shop to install. It is an hour labor tops and part is easily available for less than $500 (can get for around $300 if you shop) - it is just a regular Bosch unit - nothing fancy.

So should only be around $600 or less at a good indie!

 

I already have a new Bosch alternator I ordered online, I was going to install it today when my car didn't even start...

 

$500 labor for alternator? That's high.

 

Go to the Knowledge thread and you will see a post with an alternate part number for a Bosch Alternator(~$350) and voltage regulator. It is most likely the regulator and that is less than $80. Don't throw $1500 at your car because a mechanic told you to. Also keep in mind that if you use a battery with less cranking watts you will be putting more work on your alternator in the long run. I would stick with stock personally.

 

I replaced mine with an Optima Red top. It wasn't quite the same size, but I managed to get it to fit OK.

 

I paid $375.00 for a new alternator for my 996TT and it took me :45 minutes to swap in my garage. Paying $2,000 for the dealer to do it is highway robbery...