For your 1999 Toyota Camry, we presently offer 13 Alternator options, with prices ranging from as low as $135.99 to as much as $244.99.
In This Article...
How much does a new Toyota Camry alternator cost?
Best in Automotive Repair Alternator replacement for a Toyota Camry typically costs between $418 and $661. While parts are priced between $329 and $549, labor is predicted to cost between $89 and $113.
How can I tell if the alternator in my Toyota Camry is damaged?
Alarms for Alternators
- Low light. Your car’s electrical system includes the alternator.
- signal light The dashboard of the majority of contemporary vehicles has a warning light that flashes when the alternator is malfunctioning.
- defective or dead battery.
- strange odors
- odd noises
- visual hints
How much does a Toyota alternator cost to replace?
These figures will change depending on the automobile model, the cost of labor, and the auto parts that need to be repaired or replaced. An alternator replacement takes around 2 hours, which is about as long as a driveline repair and a little less time than a clutch repair.
Parts are likely to cost between $290 and $600, including a replacement belt. Labor might cost anything from $85 to $800, depending on where you get your car serviced.
If a new alternator is too expensive, you might alternatively ask your repair for a refurbished or rebuilt alternator. Make sure your products are covered by a guarantee to prevent future issues.
How long does the alternator on a Toyota Camry last?
Most alternators have a lifespan of 80,000150,000 miles, or roughly seven years. However, your driving style and the environment where you reside could prematurely wear it out. To keep your Toyota running smoothly on Hilton Head roads when that happens, you’ll need to get a new alternator.
Dim or Overly Bright Lights
Your electronic gadgets receive erratic voltage when an alternator starts to fail. This typically manifests as under- or over-performing equipment, such as headlights that are either too dim or excessively bright. Additionally, you can see lights that erratically switch from bright to low and vice versa.
Dead Battery
A dead battery may occasionally just be a dead battery. After a few years of use, it has either reached the end of its lifespan or you may have unintentionally kept the headlights on all night. A dead battery may occasionally indicate a problem with your alternator, though.
When the engine is operating, a defective alternator won’t adequately charge the battery, resulting in a quicker than usual discharge of the charge. Jumpstarting the vehicle is one approach to determine if the problem is with the battery or alternator. If your car runs after being jumpstarted, your battery may need to be replaced shortly. If the car dies again soon after being jumpstarted, it may indicate that your alternator isn’t providing enough power to the battery.
Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories
Accessories that operate slowly or not at all are frequently a sign that your alternator isn’t providing enough power to your car’s electronics. You might have an alternator issue if you notice that your windows roll up or down more slowly than usual, if your seat warmers seem “off,” or even if your speedometer and other instruments start acting strangely.
If the alternator isn’t producing enough electricity, many modern cars feature a priority list of equipment that informs the onboard computer where to cut power first. In this manner, if your alternator fails while you’re on the road, your radio or other unnecessary equipment will continue to function before your headlights.
Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling
As was already noted, if your engine is difficult to start, your alternator may not be charging the battery. As a result, when you turn the key in the ignition, all you’ll hear is a clicking noise rather than your engine’s purring sound.
On the other hand, if your car repeatedly stalls out while you’re driving, it can mean that the alternator isn’t supplying the spark plugs with enough power to keep the engine running.
Growling or Whining Noises
There are many strange noises that cars make; some are harmless, while others may be signs of major technical issues. You should have your alternator checked properly by a professional right away if you ever hear growling or whining sounds coming from underneath the hood.
When the belt that rotates the alternator pulley falls out of alignment or rubs against the pulley’s side, a growling or whining sound is produced. If the bearings that spin the rotor shaft are failing, you can also hear this noise.
Smell of Burning Rubber or Wires
A burning rubber or wire stench could be a sign that your alternator’s components are beginning to wear out. The drive belt for the alternator may eventually wear down and give off a terrible burning rubber odor due to the constant tension and friction it experiences as well as its proximity to the hot engine.
Similar to an electrical fire, your alternator may smell burning if it is overworked or if it has frayed or damaged wiring. Wires in an overworked alternator heat up dangerously as a result of trying to force too much energy through them. In addition to creating resistance to the passage of power, damaged wires often heat up and smell bad.
Battery Warning Light on Dash
When the battery warning light appears on the dashboard, it’s frequently believed to indicate a problem with the battery. The battery warning light, however, suggests that there might be an issue with your car’s larger electrical system, which includes the alternator.
The normal operating voltage for alternators is between 13 and 14.5 volts. The battery warning light on your dash may come on if your alternator is malfunctioning because its voltage may fall below its maximum level. Similarly, depending on how much strain the alternator is under, the battery light may also come on if the alternator is operating above its voltage limit.
The alternator may fluctuate in and out of its intended voltage capacity depending on the electrical demand from your car’s accessories (headlights, wipers, radio, etc.), which might cause the battery warning light to flash on and off. Although it can seem like a minor inconvenience, it’s preferable to have your car inspected for alternators than to become stranded on the side of the road.
What is the turnaround time for an alternator replacement?
You can replace an alternator on your own in around two hours on average, however this may vary a little depending on your level of auto technician expertise. Timing may vary slightly and you might have to leave the car for the day if you bring your car to a shop to have the alternator replaced.
Can a car with a damaged alternator be jumpstarted?
It goes without saying that a broken alternator should be replaced as soon as possible, but what if you can’t, or at least not immediately away, and the damage has left your battery so low that a jump start is required? Is this safe? or can a battery with a malfunctioning alternator even be jumpstarted?
Regardless of how terrible the alternator is, you may jumpstart a car and it will continue to operate for a while if the battery is in decent condition. This is so that the automobile won’t operate only on the battery if the alternator is faulty and not delivering the necessary voltage.
By no means is this advised, but it might be required if you only need to drive a short distance. Jumpstarting is intended to get a flat battery operating, so if you’re doing it, your battery probably has gone fairly low.
A jump-started battery will lose charge much more quickly than one that has been fully charged because the alternator won’t be helping it. Of course, if you are using a lot of electricity for things like heating, phone charging, etc., this could happen faster.
Contrary to popular opinion, the engine will continue to run after the jumper wires are removed until the battery voltage is so low that any electrical systems that are necessary for operation are no longer functional.
What Is An Alternator?
The voltage regulator, alternator, and automobile battery are the three parts that make up a car’s charging system.
Alternators are often located close to the front of the engine and are around the size of a coconut. They are propelled by the crank shaft, which transforms the upward and downward motion of the pistons into circular motion.
The electrical parts of your car, including the headlights and windshield wipers, are powered by the alternator in the vehicle.
Because it produces energy using an alternating current (AC), the alternator derives its name. A stator and rotor work together to generate AC power in alternators.
The electricity is then transferred to the automobile battery, which supplies the voltage required to power the electrical system in your car. The voltage regulator ensures that the voltage is constant in the interim.
How Long Do Alternators Last?
Although in theory the alternator should last as long as your car, this isn’t usually the case. Since so many elements affect an alternator’s lifespan, it is difficult to predict with precision how long it will last.
Some automobiles may have an alternator problem after 40,000 miles, while others may travel 100,000 miles without a problem.
Remember that the radio, interior and exterior lighting, and one or two other electrical components were the only things that the alternator had to power in previous vehicles.
The electrical accessories in modern cars, however, are far more numerous and include GPS systems, heated seats, power windows, and others. Your alternator must provide power for each of these, increasing the stress on the device.
How Do I Know If It’s A Faulty Alternator Or Battery?
In its most basic form, starting and operating an engine involves three steps: first, the battery powers up the car by delivering a burst of energy to the starter motor.
The alternator in the car is run by the engine, which also charges the battery.
Jump-start your automobile if you’re unsure if you simply have a bad battery or your alternator has to be replaced. If you turn the key to start the engine but it instantly shuts off, you have an electrical issue and the alternator is probably not charging the battery.
It’s more likely that you have a faulty battery if your automobile starts and continues to operate but won’t restart on its own power.
The electrical difference between two locations on a circuit is measured using a voltmeter. The simplest approach to find out whether you have a defective alternator is to use a voltmeter.
Can I Run My Car With A Bad Alternator?
You can still drive a car with a damaged alternator or one that is just starting to malfunction, but it’s better not to.
You have a very short time before your car stops and won’t restart if your alternator has completely ceased operating.
Can My Alternator Fail While I’m Driving?
Fortunately, losing your brakes is more perilous than having an alternator malfunction while you’re on the road.
Your car’s battery will supply all the necessary electrical power if the alternator stops working altogether while you’re driving. The battery can provide the required power, but only for a short period of time.
The battery’s size, condition, and the number of electrical devices you use all affect how long it lasts.
Turn off all the electrical accessories you can while you’re driving if you think your alternator has ceased producing power. Then, find a secure parking spot.
A broken alternator while driving can be challenging if you drive a newer automobile with electrical power steering because you will lose all steering assistance.
By doing this, you run the risk of the engine overheating and suffering serious damage. Since replacing an engine typically costs between $2,500 and $4,500, it is better to avoid taking such a chance.
Reminder: If your alternator fails due to a snapped serpentine belt, it might affect other parts like the water pump.
What Causes An Alternator To Go Bad?
Failure of the car alternator is frequently caused by fluid leakage. Engine oil or power steering fluid can frequently find its way into the alternator, resulting in failure or malfunction.
The alternator’s lifespan will also be impacted by your driving style. For instance, if you frequently idle your car while utilizing a lot of the accessories, the alternator may experience more stress, which will result in additional wear and tear.
The alternator may also be vulnerable to salt and water intrusion if it is situated close to the bottom of the engine. Both of these have the potential to enter and damage an alternator.
How Much Does An Alternator Cost To Replace?
Prices can vary from $420 to $850, and if you purchase an original item directly from a dealer, they may even go higher.
The alternator may, however, frequently be rebuilt for less money than a brand-new component.
Alternator rebuilding typically costs between $70 and $120 for removal and installation as well as an additional $80 to $120 for the rebuilder’s fee.
What Should I Do When Experiencing Alternator Trouble?
Your best course of action if you’re having problems with your car’s alternator would be to schedule a visit from a mechanic as soon as possible.
We advise calling a qualified repair to come to your driveway because operating a vehicle with a damaged alternator can result in more serious issues.
How can you identify if the problem is with the battery or alternator?
In its most basic form, starting and operating an engine is a 3-step procedure. The battery first jolts the starter with power. The alternator is then activated when the engine is started. The alternator then charges the battery to end this cycle.
Bypassing the battery’s function and jump-starting your vehicle, you can use the process of elimination to identify the offender. The alternator is probably not keeping your battery charged if the engine starts but soon shuts off. If your automobile can be started and maintained by a jump start, but it won’t restart on its own power, you most likely have a dead battery.
Signs of a bad battery
Look for the following typical signs of a dead battery:
- How bright are the dashboard lights? Check the battery gauge on the dashboard first. Even if the car isn’t moving, the battery ought to be charging. If your dashboard lights are dim, your battery is probably having a problem. Try activating your automatic windows, lights, or windshield wipers. Then, after making sure they are all off, try starting the car again.
- Examine the battery for corrosion. If it still won’t start, thoroughly remove any rust from the battery with a towel before having someone jump-start it. Turn off the car after running the engine for a bit. The alternator is doing its duty of keeping the battery operational while the motor is operating, but the battery isn’t holding a charge after the alternator has stopped if you can’t get it to resume.
- The automobile battery may be out of date. Batteries lose their ability to hold a charge as they get older because the metal within corrodes. Car batteries typically last between three and five years. [4] The battery eventually loses its ability to store enough energy to start the car, regardless of how much power the alternator supplies it with. There are, however, things you may take to prolong the life of your automobile battery.
- The radio is not working. The battery should be able to power your radio, headlights, windshield wipers, and other electronic components when your ignition is turned on. Your battery may not be fully charged if you observe your radio display or headlights flickering or fading.
- Your automobile starts, then stops right away. There are several potential causes for this, but the best place to start is by checking your battery. The battery only has enough voltage to start the automobile, which causes this peculiar issue that normally only occurs on specific vehicles.
- You have a bloated battery. Thanks to the manufacturer’s design, you should be able to tell whether your battery is bloated: You’ll be able to spot bulging in the battery’s housing. This issue arises when a defective voltage regulator causes your alternator to overload the battery.
Signs of a bad alternator
It’s time to take a closer check at the alternator if the procedures above indicate that the battery is functional. There are certain signs of a faulty alternator to watch out for. Learn how to identify a bad alternator12:
- Interior lights are dim. Take note of how bright the interior lights are when the car is operating. The alternator is probably to blame if the dashboard gradually darkens.
- headlights that are too bright or dim. Do you notice how your headlights get brighter as you go faster and get dimmer as you slow down? This frequently results from the alternator failing to keep the battery sufficiently charged.
- gurgling sounds Prior to the issue beginning, did you hear a growling sound? Sometimes, that happens before an alternator breaks down.
- heated wire or burning rubber aroma. Are there any symptoms of an overheated alternator, such as the odor of burnt rubber or hot wires? If so, it has to be replaced.
- Alternator testing To test the alternator, some people would advise starting the engine with the negative battery cable unplugged. This is not a smart idea, though, as it could harm your car’s electrical system and result in more serious issues. Learn how to examine an alternator.