Discovery II Talk about the Land Rover Discovery II within.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Anybody know why Land Rover went to a smaller alternator for the 4.6

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-14-2019, 05:14 PM
JimmyChooToo's Avatar
Three Wheeling
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 55
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default Anybody know why Land Rover went to a smaller alternator for the 4.6

Changed from a Valeo 120amp original equipment to a re-built Bosch 130amp alternator today. The Bosch is noticeably heavier and slightly bigger. I have a ‘03 S and always felt the alternator was weak with everything switched on. Hope this solves the problem. I wonder if Land Rover did it just to save money or for fuel economy reasons on the 4.6?? Thanks.
 
  #2  
Old 01-14-2019, 05:28 PM
mln01's Avatar
Camel Trophy
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 3,649
Received 816 Likes on 594 Posts
Default

Interesting question, and I don't have any idea about the answer, but I'm curious --- what made you feel "the alternator was weak with everything switched on?"
 
  #3  
Old 01-14-2019, 05:43 PM
JimmyChooToo's Avatar
Three Wheeling
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 55
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

It would stall at night with the main headlights on, accessories on and the Bluetooth OBD2 plugged in. Only at night and only in conjunction with the OBD2. Without the OBD2 plugged in, it hasn’t stalled in over a year. Weird I know. Hope the beefier Bosch alternator fixes things, because I want to monitor live engine temps.
 
  #4  
Old 01-14-2019, 06:14 PM
ArmyRover's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Augusta, GA
Posts: 9,817
Received 1,464 Likes on 1,195 Posts
Default

That's abnormal
 
  #5  
Old 01-14-2019, 06:16 PM
Saturnine's Avatar
Pro Wrench
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,719
Received 256 Likes on 214 Posts
Default

Name:  eJ46MXL.png
Views: 2
Size:  2.0 KB

Originally Posted by ArmyRover
That's abnormal
 
  #6  
Old 01-14-2019, 06:18 PM
ArmyRover's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Augusta, GA
Posts: 9,817
Received 1,464 Likes on 1,195 Posts
Default

well I ran seat heaters, heater on blast, headlights radio blaring etc with no issue. Wondering if the alternator wasn't weak for awhile
 
  #7  
Old 01-14-2019, 06:19 PM
Saturnine's Avatar
Pro Wrench
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,719
Received 256 Likes on 214 Posts
Default

Isn't more of a "either it works or it doesnt" situation with an alternator?

 
  #8  
Old 01-14-2019, 06:26 PM
ArmyRover's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Augusta, GA
Posts: 9,817
Received 1,464 Likes on 1,195 Posts
Default

It's Land Rover you tell me

I have found a few times that it can be a ok alternator with bad connections that are causing the issues. So when it dies all that gets cleaned up and fixes all the issues

Oh and I had a RRC that the alternator would work for +/- 25 minutes than it would cut out cool off and than work again
 
  #9  
Old 01-14-2019, 07:07 PM
Best4x4's Avatar
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Beaumont, TX
Posts: 7,720
Received 2,237 Likes on 1,660 Posts
Default

Oh lord older RRC & 94-95 D1 alternator’s were so hit & miss!!! I was the person responsible for the chevy alternator conversion that British Pacific back in the day used to sell. Swap out a pulley and you could mount up a chevy alternator in place of the lucas giant lump of coal. Worked great and was extremely reliable!

I prefer using the 150AMP Alternators from 99-02 Bosch equipped P38’s in all my personal D2’s. LR switched to Valeo 120AMP’s because I remember back in the day the Bosch units could develope a loud bearing noise. I’m sure LR tried to address this while saving $$$. D2’s didn’t use as many computers as a P38 or a full blown EAS system so yes technically 120AMP is plenty. But dirty grounds, weak old battery = Alternator issues. I’ve only had one Valeo die & it was due someone jumping the D2 I was buying backwards..... It still got me home, but 10.2v output isn’t gonna cut it lol.

I’ve also had one Bosch be INOP, but that was the reason the woman was selling my 99 D2. It truly just needed a new alternator & battery. Swapped em both out and drove 4.5-5.0hr home lol. I used the INOP ones for junk yard cores.
 

Last edited by Best4x4; 01-14-2019 at 08:40 PM.
The following users liked this post:
JUKE179r (01-15-2019)
  #10  
Old 01-14-2019, 08:05 PM
mln01's Avatar
Camel Trophy
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 3,649
Received 816 Likes on 594 Posts
Default

If the original poster wants to upgrade the alternator, a lot of forum members would recommend the 150 amp Bosch alternator from a P38A. Direct fit.
 
The following users liked this post:
JUKE179r (01-15-2019)


Quick Reply: Anybody know why Land Rover went to a smaller alternator for the 4.6



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:18 PM.