Flat Battery / Alternator dying

[Ozsko]

I had a flat battery a few days ago and I recalled that a month or so back it cranked slowly a few times so I presumed the battery was dying as it must be getting on to four years old, cold morning, not driven for a few days etc. A load test said the battery was OK so I tested the voltage with a multimeter at idle and it only had 13.5 and should be 14.2V at idle so it looks like the alternator has dropped one phase. I rang the dealer and organised a quote to replace the alternator, $600 labour and the parts were $1200, the belt alone was $200. I have owned my own workshop and worked in parts and service for twenty years but that was a long time ago but $200 for a belt and $600 for labour to R&R an alternator? The $1000 for an alternator I could understand. So Mr Google was my friend and I finished up getting the parts delivered form the UK including a set of wiper blades for just under $600 AUD. I have since had a look at YouTube to see what is involved in replacing the alternator and maybe they were right in quoting four hours. There is no way I am going to crack out the spanners and do it that's for sure, all my spanners have got rust on them from not being used and things will stay that way. I love the drop in the GBP, it absolutely rocks!!