2006 V6, 150k miles, Alternator Issue, and looking for opinions.

[swo life]

I have a 2006 V6 4Runner with 150k miles. Runs great, no really issues to complain about. It does not get driven very much since I have a company car that I drive daily, and I live in a damp area with driveway on north side of house so the car gets a lot of moisture on it.

In the last month I did a 200 mile trip in 4Runner, stayed at location for two weeks with daily driving there, and 200 mile trip home. Only think that stuck out to me was the rear windshield wiper stopped working.

Earlier this week I started the car, really rough start, battery light on, had smoke. Serpentine belt was completely broken. Put in new belt, started car, battery light on, immediate smoke, shut off. Took a breaker bar to the alternator pulley, got it moving clockwise (with little effort), and rotated it a few times. Started the 4Runner, ran perfect. Drove it for 30 minutes, temp was good @185 and voltage was steady at 13.5v. Noticed the rear windshield wiper started working again.

Do you think the alternator needs replaced, or am I just dealing with a rust issue? My 4Runner is very rusty...when I work on it I leave a good amount of rust on the ground that flakes and chips off. Lots of bolts are not functional since they break off or the socket can't grab, so I'm at the point of "if it ain't broke don't fix it." Also don't really have the time or interest in fixing things myself anymore. I am willing to do the first few diagnostic and repair steps but more than that I will take to a shop.

I'm really at the point where I should buy a new vehicle, but since I have a company car I barely drive my personal vehicle. It's hard to justify to myself buying something else when I put on 1000 miles a year.

So, anyone experience the seized but easily broke free alternator issue? Need replacing or should I just wait for it to totally crap out on me?

 

[Piggity]

I have a 2006 V6 4Runner with 150k miles. Runs great, no really issues to complain about. It does not get driven very much since I have a company car that I drive daily, and I live in a damp area with driveway on north side of house so the car gets a lot of moisture on it.

In the last month I did a 200 mile trip in 4Runner, stayed at location for two weeks with daily driving there, and 200 mile trip home. Only think that stuck out to me was the rear windshield wiper stopped working.

Earlier this week I started the car, really rough start, battery light on, had smoke. Serpentine belt was completely broken. Put in new belt, started car, battery light on, immediate smoke, shut off. Took a breaker bar to the alternator pulley, got it moving clockwise (with little effort), and rotated it a few times. Started the 4Runner, ran perfect. Drove it for 30 minutes, temp was good @185 and voltage was steady at 13.5v. Noticed the rear windshield wiper started working again.

Do you think the alternator needs replaced, or am I just dealing with a rust issue? My 4Runner is very rusty...when I work on it I leave a good amount of rust on the ground that flakes and chips off. Lots of bolts are not functional since they break off or the socket can't grab, so I'm at the point of "if it ain't broke don't fix it." Also don't really have the time or interest in fixing things myself anymore. I am willing to do the first few diagnostic and repair steps but more than that I will take to a shop.

I'm really at the point where I should buy a new vehicle, but since I have a company car I barely drive my personal vehicle. It's hard to justify to myself buying something else when I put on 1000 miles a year.

So, anyone experience the seized but easily broke free alternator issue? Need replacing or should I just wait for it to totally crap out on me?

I'd recommend replacing the alternator, and you might need a new battery if it hasn't been replaced in a number of years. My alternator shorted out the battery somehow on my 06' 4Runner about a yr back, so I had to replace both.

I think the wiper is unrelated, especially if you have taken your battery lead off recently. You need to do the relearn on the wiper ECU if that has happened. Or your rear window wasn't up the entire way, wiper does not work.

 

[swo life]

I think the wiper is unrelated, especially if you have taken your battery lead off recently. You need to do the relearn on the wiper ECU if that has happened. Or your rear window wasn't up the entire way, wiper does not work.

Thank you. This is exactly what happened. Replaced the battery before the trip, but earlier today I rolled down the rear window all the way and back up and then tried the rear wiper and it worked, so that explains why. That makes me feel better about the state of the alternator, but I'm thinking to be on the safe side I should get the alternator replaced anyway.

My follow on question is...should I have anything else preemptively replaced if I get the alternator replaced? Water pump, power steering pump, etc? Really looking to just hit the things that may leave me stranded on the side of the road during a trip since I take the 4Runner on a couple hour drive every couple months.

 

[Piggity]

Thank you. This is exactly what happened. Replaced the battery before the trip, but earlier today I rolled down the rear window all the way and back up and then tried the rear wiper and it worked, so that explains why. That makes me feel better about the state of the alternator, but I'm thinking to be on the safe side I should get the alternator replaced anyway.

My follow on question is...should I have anything else preemptively replaced if I get the alternator replaced? Water pump, power steering pump, etc? Really looking to just hit the things that may leave me stranded on the side of the road during a trip since I take the 4Runner on a couple hour drive every couple months.

I would just replace the alternator and make sure the fluids are up to date, then drive it. These vehicles run miles without much issues, as long as the maintenance is up to date. If your 4Runner has a V8, make sure your timing belt has been done recently.....IIRC it's like 100,000 miles for the replacement.

 

[MikeinNH67]

I had the same issue with my alternator if it sat for a bit unused. I broke it free a couple times and it would lock up again so I bought a used one off E-bay from a southern seller and it's still going strong over a year later. The issue is the alternator is kinda low and doesn't seem to get dried out unless used often. Do check the idler pulleys while the belt is off as those can start to tighten up too.

 

[triethylborane]

That makes me feel better about the state of the alternator, but I'm thinking to be on the safe side I should get the alternator replaced anyway.

My follow on question is...should I have anything else preemptively replaced if I get the alternator replaced? Water pump, power steering pump, etc? Really looking to just hit the things that may leave me stranded on the side of the road during a trip since I take the 4Runner on a couple hour drive every couple months.

If the alternator is seizing, Id replace it.

The PS pump is unlikely to need replacement. The major symptom of a failing ps pump is increased steering effort at low RPMs. Noise is usually related to belt age or air pockets in the hydraulic system, depending on the noise. If you have bothered to replace the PS ATF fluid or keep it topped up, you are likely fine.

The water pump can be checked by visually observing the weep holes for coolant on the pump housing. Also check the pump shaft for excessive axial play. There are youtube videos that show people checking axial play on water pumps, so peek at those and make an assessment.

Id refrain from a shotgun approach to replacing these items, they are relatively easy to replace in a few hours opposed to certain items that are buried underneath everything. But if you want to pop the cash for the parts, and have that peace of mind, no big deal. Ive been known to do that too, sometimes.

 

[Captsolo]

I have a 2005 4runner with 145,000 miles. OEM alternator and WP.

I'd call in any good mechanic for what the problem is before you throw parts at it.

I bought this battery and alternator tester: Amazon.com: KONNWEI KW600 12V 100-2000 CCA 220AH Car Battery Load Tester Professional Automotive Alternator Analyzer - Waveform Voltage Test for Car/Boat/Motorcycle: Automotive

I don't think it's for sure your alternator. If your alternator was bad, your car battery would not get recharged fully :zoom:and she wouldn't start.

Is the body of your 4runner rusting out? I have zero rust on the (painted) body, and the underside is sound, but rust is everywhere underneath, but mostly superficial. I've seen 4runners with serious rusted-out underbody posted on internet.

Mine starts up and runs great still. Amazing cars and trucks built by Toyota.

I owned a GMC JIMMY from new and it rusted away to junk in 10 years. No more GM products from me ever again.

Why is your Serpentine belt freezing up? WP? Alternator?
Call in a good mechanic (to your house).

Had a Northstar Caddy (purchased two years old) and a JIMMY from new. My 4runner was purchased brand new from a Toyota dealer with 1 mile on it. That was 15 years ago!

Amazon.com: AutoShack A2965 Alternator Replacement for 2003-2007 Lexus GX470 2003-2006 Toyota 4Runner 4.7L: Automotive