Do I really need a $3000.00 alternator?

I had the symptoms on mulple occasions. Replaced the altenator - oh about 5 times. finally discovered that none of the rebuilts I had used are rebuilt with new parts but rather with reconditioned ones. But also discovered that the main positve leads were in poor condition AND the terminal on the fuse box had was loose in its mounting to such an extent it had partially destroyed the board. Replaced the lot making your $3K alternator look like a bargain.

 

Do I really need a $3000.00 alternator?

Yes, of course you do. You are aware that the 348 is the only Ferrari that has 2 of them though, right ?!

 

I had an early 348 (I believe it was the 32nd car built). Of course it had the Delco unit, and rebuilding it was part of my annual servicing, which was a PIA, but I got to the point of being able to pull the alternator in <30 mins.

My dealer told me about the upgrade kit with the Nipondenso unit, but never offered it as a factory paid for update. After about 6 years of rebuilding the Delco, I finally sprung for the 'kit'. At the time I think I paid $1500 and spent a Saturday installing it. The kit included the alternator, a new bracket, hardware and wire harness.

That was one of the best things I ever did for the car. I had the car for another 14 years. Chucabra bought my 348 and I believe it's still charging just fine. The moral is if you are still using the Delco alternator in your 348, you will probably be stranded and keep having to rebuild the thing. If you can upgrade to the ND kit, do it!

 

Must confess that I still don't quite understand the rationale of paying $3000 for a part that is made in Japan and cost about $700-$800 bought elsewhere. That's a whole heap of 'shipping' the Ferrari chain in the States is charging you guys - and I'm not saying the guys at the end of it like the retailers or garages are doing this. Think I shelled out just under $1000 for the new bracket, harness, Alternator obviously and of course labour to get it all fitted (the 'shop' can get the parts cheaper than us mere mortal )

The way I see it forums are, or at least should be, primarily for owners. And while it's not going to be a popular question (and I'm happy for the powers that be to 'take it down' if they see fit) I just don't get why you guys in the States are repeatedly happy to be charged ludicrous mark-ups on parts just because they are going on a Ferrari. I could understand if you were buying 'American' and therefore paying a premium (as your quality control is a darn sight better than in most parts of the world) but you're not.

Taking this part as an example, I'll be paying a mark-up, the prices I've given are buying from a retailer who buys from Ferrari who buys from the manufacturer, then I get charged 20% sales tax. The price of the part's probably well below $500 at source. So if you pay $3000 you're paying a 500% mark-up on a part that isn't made in the States and it's not even made by Ferrari either. Any way you twist it or look at it that is just barking mad. It's a global market (or at least it's supposed to be); I don't always buy in the UK - if I can get a part cheaper in Germany, France or even direct from Ferrari in Italy, that's where I shop.

And no, I'm not some 'cheapo' who can't afford a Ferrari (which is the most stupid thing I've heard before). Since the purchase of my car I've spent somewhere in the region of $25k on top of the purchase price in the last year and a bit and that's not on things that were broken (because there weren't many really), that's mainly on making her look the part and mainly going through my local main dealer. I shudder to think what I would have paid over there.

Right I've said my peice - delete it, ignore it, up to you really. I firmly believe forums should be for the owners and if that's 'inconvenient' for those at the top of the supply chain over there (and I'm not talking the Retailers or Shops primarily) then I think I can live with that.

In conclusion, answering the OP's question "Do I really need a $3000.00 alternator?" - no you don't. You may well need a new alternator but you sure as hell shouldn't pay $3000.00 for it.

 

You can do something similar to extreme duty vehicles and move the regulator away from the heat remotely. I know some suppliers of police car electronics sell them for cars.

less heat on it = longevity

 

Totally agree with you Pete!

I have experienced the exact same issues too. I needed some parts and sourced them from many places and found that the specialist parts suppliers in the US were so highly priced i was in shock.

For example, even a cheap item like a simple plastic connector that plugs into the fusebox was only $5 here in the UK at an official Ferrari dealership but cost $25 + shipping from a specialist in the US. 5 times the price, It makes no sense at all.

 

Thanks Peter.

Look all, maybe I should have just bitten my tongue, but the OP seems like a nice chap, why should he pay someone $3000 for a part he should be paying a fraction of that for. (In fact, if he's quick I think there's still a new one on ebay.co.uk for about $400). I've mentioned this before and got a fairly frosty responce from certain quaters but surely the point of a forum is to help each other as owners. If guys want to pay the prices you guys do over there that's totally fine, no issues and it's your money, but I think you should know there are other options open to you.

Right that's me done on the subject before I inadvertently overstep the mark.

 

It may not be worth $3K, but there is an actual 'kit' that goes beyond just an alternator. In order to properly fit the Nipondenso alternator, it requires a completely different bracket, hardware and wire harness. Unless you are willing to re-engineer the system, it is far more cost effective to do the conversion correctly from the outset. You can then go enjoy the car, rather than have it parked and moan on the forums!

 

Had my car converted from Delco to Nippon alternator - totally rewired, new bracket, new alternator, new harness. Had it all done with legit parts by Ferrari, cost less than 1/2 of that. I'm not "moaning on the forums", my friend (if that's me you're referring to). I don't have to pay daft prices.

 

Hi,
This problem started soon after I put a new Omina battery in the car. Checked all connections clean and tightened., Battery check good voltage and alternator reading also good,. No problem starting, driving the car except for that darn red light glowing in my face.
Any ideas on what the problem is,. Could it be the new battery installed? I have tried a ground from the alternator to the chassis and light stays on. If I unplug the alternator the battery light goes OFF.

Thanks

Larry W Smith

 

Using a multimeter check the voltage output of the alternator to the battery while the car is running.

 

Optima? Those batteries have been very unreliable since Johnson Controls bought them and moved production to Mexico.

 

8 weeks since rebuild and corrosion on terminals? Seems strange to me. Are you sure it was rebuilt?

 

Avoid Optima.
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I have one in my 355 with no issues. I put one in another 355 as well but that's sold now.

 

OH!!!

Man that was nasty.

 

Yuuup, never had one meet the standards they claim.

Odyssey I have had great luck with, bikes and cars.

 

I had a Maserati Cambiocorsa for many years. The battery was always going flat since I travel a lot. So I keep replacing it every year with different brands to see if I could get it to hold a charge longer.

What I found is the worst one for going flat was Optima and the best Interstate Megatron. And it wasn't even close. And the Optima was the most expensive.

 

My experience too.

Like Terry said, prior to being bought out by Johnson Controls they were a really good battery.

 

I was just going to post and ask when the buy out happened but I looked up my service records and mine is a Johnson Controls one - see label pic.

I've had no issues with mine whatsoever so perhaps I just got lucky.
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My first replacement was an optima about 03 or 04. It lasted till 2015.

 

Did you get the battery compartment and bumper screws replaced? I try hard, but I just cant be that organized!

 

Bumpers screws, yes (I think) but not the batt compartment. Too many cars, not enough time.

 

ditto on this...

 

agreed 100% Pete. To the OP - we have the same AC Delco alternator. As many others have pointed out - it is garbage..not a question of *if* it will fail - just *when*.

After going to a few places, I eventually ended up here:

Starters & Generators for Sale - Alternator Repair in San Francisco CA | Rite-Way Electric

They rebuilt my AC Delco (you can even buy a new one for like $200) with more robust parts. It's been strong for a few years now - many runs to redline with no issues.

Good Luck!