I picked up a 120A TDI alternator to play with; it fits the AAZ mount, but loosely. Putting washers on the rear (wiring side) of the mount puts the pulley in correct alignment. It's a bit tricky to get the washer into the lower mount while holding the belt tensioner, and pushing the bolt in simultaneously.
I also needed a washer on the bolt head to prevent it from bottoming.
The TDI alternator has a plug, instead of terminals for the tach and exciter wires, I found one on the old Vanagon wire loom that should work with a little modification... the alt plug is a deep female with 2 male contacts.
I've also heard that Bosch alternators from a Land Rover will fit? Anyone confirm this? 130A is standard.
It will be interesting to see if the TDI alternator has a working W signal, since the TDI cluster gets its tach signal from the ECU via the crank position sensor iirc.
There's every reason to believe it will...since those features often blur over between model years.
This is a used unit, and pretty crusty... I didn't know the thread inserts were supposed to move, & I don't know that they will here unless coerced. In aviation we call it "malletizing".
I'll hit it with Kroil for a few days and see if they shift.
Supposedly, the two contacts of the plug are the "W" and the field. I saw a picture where someone had labeled which was which, I have to find it.
Supposedly, the two contacts of the plug are the "W" and the field. I saw a picture where someone had labeled which was which, I have to find it.
Perhaps this is the picture you're thinking of ?
I can see them not bothering to change plug styles between all the various incantations of that alternator platform... the question is... is the W terminal actually connected internally?
.... and now that I think about it... pretty sure that's an AAZ alternator in the picture, and as I'm finding out to my frustration VW went for a whole different line of OEM connectors on the MK4 platform.
I've got a TDI alternator apart in the garage as we speak... will sneak a peek tonight and perhaps post up a picture or two.
Yeah, the connector on my alt is deeper than that and a bit oval shaped, but the pins are the same.
Check your alignment with the belt, Mine did not require the spacer behind the pulley on my AAZ install
Hope this help's
GB