My battery warning light stayed on for about 30 seconds the other day and the car has 220,000km on the clock so I think it's ready for a new alternator.

Without unplugging and removing connections all I can see on the back of it is "Made in Australia" and was wondering if anyone can identify my alternator from these photos:

http://ianmav.customer.netspace.net.au/auctions/DSCF1153.JPG

http://ianmav.customer.netspace.net.au/auctions/DSCF1154.JPG

http://ianmav.customer.netspace.net.au/auctions/DSCF1155.JPG

Where abouts on the alternator is the information panel so I can positively identify the alternator model, or as I just looking at a plain Bosch BXM1348 that most 3rd gen Magnas use?

Thanks in advance,

Ian.

Looks like a Bosch to me.
I don't know if Mitsu alternators were ever used on the 3rd gen, but the Bosch has an external regulator while the Mitsu one has an internal reg.

Yours clearly has an external regulator.

If the alternator light flickers or takes a while to go off, it is more likely to be worn brushes.

Aren't all 3rd gen alternators the same?
Or at least the same for each respective engine?

looks BOSCH to me and probably just needs brushes but fresh bearings would be a good preventative maintenance.

marked the photo where you can just make out the brand with a bit of imagination

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y1IfPi2pAoWPRy5gv7NC9RwFurX207IXpmszgbqNAlc=w648-h599-no

Yeah, spit on your finger and wipe it on that marked spot. It will say "Bosch".

I can just make out the "O" and "S" on there. lol

BOSCH for sure

Aren't all 3rd gen alternators the same?
Or at least the same for each respective engine?

Early TE's in the 4cyl and 6cyl had the "Mitsubishi" branded one on them, these were smaller amperage and had the internal regulator.

Certainly is a Bosch one in the photos above.

Just keep in mind, I fitted a brand new Bosch one, its a little bit different to the factory one, still very similar but the casing is a little different and my new one whines. Theres nothing I can do about it as it happens with the physical rotation inside the alternator but you might notice a whine and think its coming from your speakers, but it is from the engine bay, its really that loud. However you do get used to it.

Is there a way to test alternators?

Is there a way to test alternators?

Voltmeter works for me.

What are we testing? Just that the voltage is stable?

Are all the same mate and dont waste your time and effort changing the reg unless you are going to do a full reco on the alternator. Is cheaper to get a new Bosch or Jaylec, we stock both on the shelf