How To Rebuild Toyota Alternator

Okay, as some of you may already know, I make a living by creating alternators and starters. I thought I’d publish the information here after taking a number of images of a Paseo alternator that recently passed through my shop.

Remove the three nuts, perhaps one bolt, ground plate, and battery insulator starting with the unaltered alternator.

Make sure the screwdriver fits snugly or it will strip out the two tiny screws keeping the brush holder in place.

Simply swap out the entire assembly and reassemble. It resolves 98% of alternator problems.

In This Article...

How is a Toyota alternator disassembled?

Instructions

Take the wiring harness off, then step aside.
disconnect the battery cable.
Remove the connector from the alternator’s backside.
To release the belt, turn the 12 mm bolt under the alternator.
Remove the 14mm alternator pivot bolt.
To loosen and remove the alternator, slide it back and forth.

Does rebuilding an alternator make sense?

You might be considering a rebuilt due to the price. A refurbished alternator could result in savings of up to nearly 50%. Rebuilt refers to the process of replacing damaged parts. Up to a 90-day warranty is possible. Remanufactured alternators are distinct from refurbished ones in that they still provide some savings, often around 25%. They have typically been thoroughly inspected and rebuilt and typically carry a one-year warranty. However, it is worthwhile to spend more money to buy a new car if you intend to retain it for a long time.

How can a non-charging alternator be fixed?

To verify the operation of your alternator, you can follow a few simple procedures.

While the engine is running, gently tap the alternator with a hammer; if the charging returns to normal, the carbon brushes within are worn out and require replacement.
Examine the huge power connection going to the alternator as well as the nearby battery’s typically large 40-60 amp fuse.
Between the engine and the body, inspect the ground cable.
Verify the alternator is rotating along with the engine and the serpentine belt is in place.
Examine the charging light wire and the little power supply wire. You can measure it with a multimeter, but to do it correctly you might need a wiring diagram and some knowledge of car electronics.
To make sure they are not harmed, you can measure the voltage regulator and the diode assembly. Although some alternators can be used to replace these, buying a new alternator these days is frequently the same cost. What you decide is more worthwhile is entirely up to you.

How much does rebuilding an alternator cost?

Imagine yourself finishing up your morning preparations for work and walking out to your car.

It doesn’t appear to want to start when you turn the key in the ignition.

You decide to give it another go, and happily, after a few seconds, it starts up.

You decide to switch on the heater because the weather is a little chilly, and then all of a sudden your lights start to flicker and dim. That’s unusual, I guess.

You hear a slight whining sound behind the dash as you make your way out of the driveway. The battery indication light then abruptly turns on.

Your alternator sounds like it might be having trouble. If you didn’t know, your car’s alternator is in charge of providing power. It guarantees that your heater, power steering, and lights have sufficient electricity to operate.

Whether a repair is feasible will depend. If not, you’ll need to replace it, which might cost between $500 and $1,000. (including parts and labor). Otherwise, budget between $100 and $150 for something simple like changing an alternator belt (not including diagnosis).

Then, we’ll look at some of the most typical signs that there might be a problem with it and discuss how you might test it at home. Finally, we’ll discuss the precise prices related to alternator repairs.

How is a Toyota alternator tested?

A Toyota alternator costs what?

To keep your Toyota running smoothly on Hilton Head roads when that happens, you’ll need to get a new alternator. The cost of an alternator Depending on the kind of car you drive, a new alternator will typically cost between $500 and $1,000.

How durable are Toyota alternators?

It is crucial to go over the fundamentals of an alternator operation first. The alternator, which is attached to the engine, is responsible for giving the battery power. It maintains the car’s electrical and electronic systems operational and charges the battery continuously.

The alternator exerts the most effort of any component in your car, therefore ultimately it will burn out. An alternator lasts seven years or roughly 150,000 miles on average. The quality of the component, the state of the car as a whole, and the number of electronics in operation are some of the variables that might affect the alternator’s lifespan.

Can you fix an alternator?

Alternators are generally reasonably trouble-free despite being used frequently, and when a problem does arise, it is advised to replace the alternator rather than trying to fix it. This makes sense given that an alternator rebuild or repair can be nearly as expensive as a new alternator. The other factor is that a new alternator often has a warranty and will last longer than a remanufactured one.

Nevertheless, there are several situations in which repairing an alternator may be justified. An alternator belt, also known as a serpentine belt, can be purchased and replaced if it breaks or begins to show signs of wear without needing to change the alternator itself.

Some alternator components, such bearings, are simple to replace. Both insufficient lubrication and extreme wear can cause them to fail. Electrical output can be hampered by loose or broken wiring connections. These might occasionally be repairable by soldering them back together. Excessive heat can harm the diodes on the alternator’s back, which would disrupt the flow of electricity. They might even leak, which would drain the battery.

An auto electrician is most suited to repair alternators because it calls for a specific set of abilities. If repairing your alternator is too expensive, another choice is to install a refurbished or rebuilt one. Not all of the internal components will be brand-new, but any that required replacement have been removed and replaced with new components. Although it’s impossible to determine the caliber of the workmanship, this alternative is an option for individuals on a short budget, which is why we normally don’t advise it.

How durable are rebuilt alternators?

People who have their car’s alternator replaced anticipate that the repair will last at least as long as the new alternator’s anticipated life, which is four to five years or between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. Additionally, changing an alternator is not inexpensive, like many auto repairs. According to a short web search, the price to replace an alternator on a Subaru Outback, for instance, can vary from $345 to $585 in the Columbia, Maryland market. Any automobile owner would naturally want to know why their new alternator failed after just a few months of use.

On our customer’s Subaru, we ultimately had to replace the alternator, but we also discovered that the battery needed some work. The alternator was always running at 30 amps and getting quite hot.

A thorough battery inspection is one of the things we’ve discovered is frequently overlooked by technicians when replacing an alternator; this is crucial for batteries that are more than three years old. A second check should be made on the alternator output to ensure that it charges the battery quickly before dropping to a “at rest” rate of 10 amps or less.

Our customer’s issue was resolved after a battery replacement. The new alternator worked as planned, charging the new battery immediately before settling in and maintaining a full charge.

Get information on every location where you are having your automobile serviced because of this. Are they licensed? Do they make use of oem parts that are of great quality? Will labor and components be covered under the warranty? Even if you are traveling or out of town, you should still research these concerns. Although it may be tempting to drive or have your car towed to the closest store, whenever possible, conduct as much online research as you can before having your car towed to a particular shop. Since most stores have websites, the information is typically clearly stated there. Avoid getting the fix-it-again-and-again blues!

Which alternator brand is the best?

When it comes to the greatest alternators, ACDelco reigns supreme on the market. For 1999-2005 GM vehicles, the ACDelco 335-1086 Professional Alternator is a 12-volt, 105-amp alternator. The key components are greased and lubricated for endurance and are constructed to ISO standards to assure quality and provide optimal performance in challenging environments. The device is pre-tested for voltage stability, sound, vibrations, and exposure, unlike any other alternator on the market. This guarantees that the alternator will supply the battery and other electronic components with enough power.

Additionally, the electrical circuit board’s construction quality and terminal functionality have both undergone thorough testing. Its true-fit design complies with OE requirements.

With negligible electrical leakage, this ACDelco alternator has a high AC voltage blocking capacity. The alternator is continuously kept cool by the inbuilt fan. This will prevent the alternator’s parts from overheating even after extended use. A two-year, 24,000-mile warranty is provided by the company. The whining noise it might make is one of the drawbacks mentioned thus far. The ACDelco 335-1086 model is more expensive than the other top alternators on the list, but it performs well and has a longer lifespan. Get it online and get shipping for free!

Why does an alternator fail?

Any charging issue with the car, even a loose battery wire, is brought in:

“This battery cable needs to be replaced, and your automobile needed a new alternator,” the mechanic said.

A fresh alternator may fail right away if it tries to charge a dead battery since continuous operation in full charge mode can destroy an alternator.