Kent Misegades

Alternator for my 1988 AUDI 80 quattro crapped out. Installed new remanufactured unit - it died two months later. Parts store (Advance Auto, NC), replaced it, but its pulley sized wrong. Replaced it with another - no pulley at all! In the meantime, original core with correct pulley is long gone. I have no alternator, no pulley, and no parts supplier who has a clue...!!

The local AUDI dealer (North Raleigh) had never even seen an 80 quattro until I brought mine over. Wanted a small part from him - his parts database would not go back far enough to my VIN number. Zero help.

Does anyone know:

(a) how to determine if an '88 80 quattro needs the 90Amp or the 115Amp alternator? This car does have A/C and electric sunroof, so I am guessing 115 Amp?

(b) best suppliers for replacement alternators

(c) best suppliers for replacement pulley, since the 115 Amp replacement alts do not appear to ship with a pulley.

Kent - frustrated in Cary, NC.

egp320i

Bosch (OE Reman)
Alternator; 115 Amp
For models with air conditioning.
www.autohausaz.com
AL179X

$453.75 list

$61.00 core

$208.04 price

When I replaced the alt on my 88 90 FWD it did not come with a pulley, you use your old pulley by removing it.
If you do not have one then your only choice is to buy one new from the dealer or find a used one in a junkyard.

x19

Try to check the blushes on voltage regulator after remove from back of alternator and you will see the one of blushes worn out that I guess. x19

duanevw

That's what scares me anymore, I always had 2 favorite Vw audi dealers that were great with the older models, I know the one Mechanic is still working for Audi he is in his early 50's. It just seems like the Parts dept people are retired now and a new generation of people and it makes it hard to talk about what you need or just even to chat about the good old times. I guess time flies and I just hit 40 and still remember my 84 Black GTi being something special on the rds.

Its all in the dealer anymore and who's working some will research that part and some will just act nice and say sorry.

Duane, MI

Sllack

Have you tried Rockauto? I just did a quick check and they have them from 82-178, but have different 90-115 amps...

Do you have an FSM for the car? Or if someone does, what does it say?

The pulley is going to be tricky.

Kent Misegades

Thanks to all who responded, these are all good suggestions. We managed to find someone parting our an 89 Quattro with the alternator and correct pulley, thanks to eBay, far more useful than the local AUDI dealer. My once reliable local German car maintenance shop knew where one could find an OEM pulley, but would not tell me their source and wanted to charge me for an hour of labor for something I can do in 10 minutes, as if all the money I spent on them in the past was forgotten. This Forum is the greatest, and we'll keep this superb '88 Audi 80 quattro running for years thanks to all your help.

egp320i

I bought my reman rear brake calipers from rockauto as they had the best price and they also had both sides in stock.
B4Q rear calipers are extremely rare, most places only have the passenger side in stock.

As for the alt, looking around it appears AZ has the lowest price so far.

All other wholesale places I visit want around $220.

Rockauto wants $229 plus core and they do not have free shipping like AZ does.