Appears my alternator needs replacing. What I need to know is just how difficult is this? It looks like it should come out from the bottom. Is this correct? I'll know more later on. It could still be the battery. Looks new but I'm sure it would stay looking new by being in the trunk. Any tricks or glitches I might encounter during the Alternator replacement. Keep in mind new to the Jaguar ownership scene... Thanks.

 

I wouldn't go near the alternator without being 100% certain. They are a pain to change, and there's many other common issues that can cause charging problems.
Tell us your symptoms, and in the meantime, go through the electrical troubleshooting link in my signature, and see if it helps.

 

Battery voltage is 10.5 and started voltage reads less. So it appears the alt isn't charging the battery. Looks to be the original alt with 140000 mi on it.

 

With the engine running, measure between the false bulkhead and the engine block. Any where metallic is ok. If you still have 10.5 your alternator is bad. It should be 13.5-14.5 roughly.
I'm just trying to save you time and money. Changing the most expensive and difficult piece to replace first is asking for heartbreak.

 

You will have to be patient but changing the alternator is not difficult. In my case, I had low output voltage and replacing only the brushes solved the problem and was much cheaper than a replacement alternator.
Check my post on the subject from a few years back and other people's advice on this board.

 

Ok after many test the voltage is low. So it does appear to be the alternator. Does anyone have a preference between Denso, Bosch, AC Delco, Remy or Beck/Arnley? Did our car come with the Denso? Any pros or cons to any of these? Thanks for all the help to this point..

 

Denso is the OEM. You can confirm this once you take out the alternator!
Denso (division of Toyota) is arguably the best of the brands that is mentioned above.

 

It isn't that hard to change...it is mostly accessed from the bottom but comes out through the top.

Check Amazon prices, I got one directly from Denso at a great price there...

 

Depending on where you live you likely have a starter/alt. rebuilder close by. I have always had better luck this route then "factory" reman units as the local guys tend to use the best parts so they don't have issues requiring warranty work and wouldn't think about replacing an XK8 or XJ308 with anything but my local rebuilders stuff as it is a labor intensive process. Not hard, just time consuming and requires some beer time. Expect to pay about $125-200 depending on the labor rates in your area.

 

Expect to pay about $125-200 depending on the labor rates in your area.[/QUOTE]

Is the price for them to rebuild mine?

 

Is the price for them to rebuild mine?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that's a good rough estimate. I want to say I paid $160 for mine a couple years back but that was when copper prices were thru the roof.

 

I have a local rebuilder here in rural North Texas (Donna at High View starter and alt.) and she charges between $125 and $175 for the X308/X100 alts. depending on what is wrong.

Never had a problem and you get your own alt back properly repaired and not shipped back from some 3rd world country rebuilder.

Yes the National auto parts stores give a 'lifetime' warranty but how many times do you need to put it in and take it back to get a 'good' one. (been there, done that a few times)

You might want to hold onto your 'core' so you can have IT rebuilt in case the 'exchange units' at the auto parts store do not function correctly and they just want to give you your money back to make you 'go away'. Then you don't have your ORIGINAL DENSO UNIT for repair because they sent it to the core return warehouse and it is GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It sometimes happens this way when you deal with a car that is not 'common'.
A Chevy truck is one thing but Jaguar parts are not something that a bunch of parts stores keep in stock.

bob gauff

 

I like local rebuilders as a source of parts.

The best of the old timers doesn't even carry Denso brush assemblies. Bring in the old one, he solders in new brushes. 5 minutes and $5 out the door

Same with rectifiers. He pops them out and puts in uprated diodes in the original frames.

 

Alternator rebuilder near you in Ontario CA:

akramautoelectric website - click on weblink on next line (Home):
Home

Also AutoPartsWarehouse website shows remanufactured Denso (SKU# NP2100421 for sale $150.90 with free shipping:

2001 Jaguar XJ8 Alternator | AutoPartsWarehouse

Amazon has same denso remanufactured for $176.66 (part# 210-0421).

Jim Lombardi

 

I will start calling around today.. Also found the Reman Denso at RockAuto. I'll keep everyone informed. Thanks for all the input. Wish me luck.

 

Just got a little time and called one place. Was quoted $110-120 to rebuild my unit.
Sounds like a good deal. Will call around some more.

 

Just don't be taken back by the dirty conditions of the shop when you take it in. Personally, I'd find a close shop and start a relationship as you'll need an alternator and starter on virtually every car you own provided you keep it long enough.

 

Speaking of starters, on Denso starters it is almost always the copper contacts for the solenoid. The nearest Toyota dealer is your friend.

 

Got another quote from a shop to rebuild mine for $140. Both of these shops are within 4 miles of my house and both have been around for years.

 

May be a stupid question.. But is the voltage regulator built into the alternator? Or are these external? I know most built in these days.