Alternator Replacement

[Matt17JagX25]

The alternator on my '07 X-Type failed about 3 years ago. I had a replacement and that failed after about 30 months, then another lasted only 5 month and the latest, a Japanese refurb about 2 months.
The RAC technician told me that the 2.5v6 has an intellgent charge system, so will vary the charge depending on the load. It has an 120 AMP alternator fitted currently, which is dead.

I would like to know:

1. What rate AMP alternator the car would have been manufactured with? Should it be higher than 120AMP - my car has heated seats, heated screen, electric windows, SatNav, 6 disc changer etc.

2. Where can I get a reliable replacement part, how long should they be lasting? OEM Jaguar LandRover say the part would cost £800 with VAT!

3. Is it is normal for the alternator to whine and smell like burning rubber/plastic?

The garage want to blame the wiring system, is this likely? I have a feeling that the refurbished parts are not good quality and therefore have failed.

Any comments and advice really appreciated.

Thanks,

Matthew

[Dave Eynon]

Hi Matthew,
The charging system on the X-type is fairly conventional and normally wouldn't present a problem. I would expect an alternator to last for many thousands of miles, mine has done 84k miles. You may have a fault that needs to be identified by an auto electrician to establish why the other units have failed. For example if the battery was faulty, such as a dead cell, it can cause overcharging by the alternator. There is a number of fairly easy tests an auto electrician can perform to identify if you have a short circuit.
A replacement alternator from Jaguar is around £800, but SNG Barratt can supply a DENSO unit (who are the manufacturer of the OE alternator) for £513.
The cheapest option is to buy a second hand unit from Autoreserve for around £30, which will keep costs down whilst uncertainty over the cause of the failures is identified. www. autoreservejaguar.com Tel 0115 837 2707
I would also check that the burning smell is not caused by a seized air conditioning compressor or idler pulleys whilst investigating, and a new drive belt may be required.
Dave

[Matt17JagX25]

'I would also check that the burning smell is not caused by a seized air conditioning compressor or idler pulleys whilst investigating, and a new drive belt may be required.
Dave'

Thanks Dave,

The last time the alternator was replaced, I requested the garage replaced the tensioner and the belt. The whining and the burning rubber/plastic smell has ceased since the alternator has failed. Is the a/c compressor in the same area of the engine? Is it easy to identify if it has seized?

Thanks,

Matthew

[Dave Eynon]

Hi Matthew
They are both driven off the same belt that is on the drivers side of the engine. This belt drives the alternator, power steering pump, and Air conditioning compressor. Its a long belt often called a "Serpentine" belt as it has a convoluted route around all the pulleys, tensioners and idlers.
I would make sure the belt is intact as the smell could have been it failing. Although I have not done it I understand the compressor has to come out to change an alternator on the petrol models. The alternator and the compressor beneath it are just visible from the engine bay. The air con compressors can seize when they fail, they have a clutch which would disengage the compressor normally. The condition of the belt can be seen to establish if it has been damaged and is the source of the burning smell.
I think its important to not only check the charging system for an electrical fault that could cause alternator failure, but also identify the source of the noise and burning smell. All components on the drive system need to be thoroughly checked.