Alternator OEM FORD or Bosch

I've got the flickering lights so I'm going between the Denso reman and Bosch reman. Looks like the Bosch reman is done in house and the germans have pretty good engineering imo.

I recently replaced my alternator on one car w/a new Bosch unit. Cost about $200 and took me a couple of hours. Dealer cost just for the part was $700 and with book time they priced it out at over $1,400.

Bosch Alternators have 2 posts on them, the big one is for main battery ground, the smaller one is for the exciter or blue wire. When the cars ignition switch is turned on, the Dash light (led and diode) applies 12V+ to the coils to excite them, so the alternator can produce a charge. When the Alternator is producing current and voltage it goes to 13.5-14Volts.

I had lots of issues with a ‘96 4.6 Cobra. Back and forth between battery, alternator issues. Maybe, six months between issues. Finally replaced the alternator with new, not reman and changed the battery at the same time. That lasted for the next three years that I owned the car and was still fine when I sold the car.

I had a similar problem with my 08 mustang GT. The alternator burnt through the cord going from it to the battery. Bought a remanufactured alternator and replaced it. Still didn't work. Traded it in for another remanufactured. Still didn't work. Finally returned that one and bought a brand new one. Works fine 6 years later and no problems.

The part # for the Alternator (Automatic trans) is 6H903016L and it's made by Bosh. [Europaparts](https://parts.audiusa.com/p/Audi_2012_A4-Base-Sedan-20L-AT-Quattro/Alternator/48001649/06H903016L.html) sell's it for $499.95 (OEM).

I replaced the battery, and upgraded to an AGM battery while I was at it. The problem still wasn’t solved though.

Newer ford alternators essentially “talk” to the pcm. Cheap aftermarket alternators do not do well on these cars. Replace the alternator with a better quality alternator

I have a shitty looking Ford Focus that I maintain myself...The alternator failed and I couldn't be bothered doing the work myself so I took it to the local dealer.

I haven't had this problem with my RX8, but I had a similar problem with my Ford. Alternator was putting out 14.4V, but I still had a light. Took it to the parts store and they hooked it up to their tester. It said the Alternator was no good.