Quote:
Originally Posted by thennen
Over the years, I've had one regulator failure (likely cause was failure of aftermarket remote start), and no diode failures. Not sure how one would be able to tell if either of those was nearing a failure point.
I've had one brush failure at 240k which I should have avoided, and replaced 4 sets preventively around 200k miles. I was first turned on to the brush replacement by my dealership parts guy when my 1988 4Runner was approaching 200k miles. That alternator lasted to 305k when I got rid of the truck. Brush replacement is around $15-$20, easy, and typically only needed once. It's the main cause of alternator problems, as I understand it.
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Correct me if I am wrong here. Won't bad brushes (not charging) cause the alt light to come on? I can't imagine it wouldn't. What did you see? I've had it happen in a corolla and the light does come on in that case.
I'm thinking if you have an alternator die and not see the alt light on the dash then you have bigger problems than brushes.