Bad Alternator?! Need Help and Advice

S

screeves

Member
I took my '11 SR5 with 42k miles on it into the dealership on Friday because I have a whine coming from the engine bay. I told them when I dropped it off that I thought it was the alternator, idler pulley or water pump. They call me back Friday around lunch time... alternator is going bad and needs replaced, $1,000!! $700 for the alternator itself.

I go in to pick it up, my service guy is at lunch, I end up talking with the service assistant manager who tells me he is going to call Toyota because this is a problem he hasn't seen before, says he will call me back that night.

Having not heard anything to this point, Tuesday, I called back and left a message for the ass. manager I spoke to. The original service guy calls me back and says, we spoke to Toyota, they won't help you.

1. What do you do at this point?
2. Anyone had alternator problems?
3. Any good options for fixing it? At this point I am thinking of finding someone to rebuild it.
 
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Since you're out of warranty, the Toyota attempt was a nice try, but likely to end the way it did....

I would find a reputable shop that isn't a dealer so you end up with more reasonable labor cost and then do the alternator upgrade to a high-output unit.

Do you have a lot of electrical accessories on your vehicle? that may have contributed to the early wear on the OEM unit. although as with any man-made product... it may have been a error prone unit.

Good luck and keep us posted!

okki
 
NEW Alternators are extremely expensive when you order them from the Dealer. New vehicle parts are always going to be expensive unfortunately as that's the way things end up.

This is a website I like to use for parts quotes/part numbers when helping people on the forum, they're a dealership that does wholesale parts online and their prices are fairly reasonable.

List MSRP for the Alternator is $711.29, their price is $564.54
ALTERNATOR ASSY. ALTERNATOR (4000CC 24-VALVE DOHC EFI; GRN28#). 2011 TOYOTA 4Runner # 2706031190

That being said, you may be able to get a Denso remanufactured unit for cheaper (typically the original Alternator is returned as a Core which makes it cheaper,) they usually have a limited warranty and hold-up pretty well. You're next option is to go Napa/Autozone/O'rielly's/ect. and get a cheaper remanufactured unit that's not a Denso part.

I personally would go with either the New or Remanufactuered Denso unit as it will be the best option and will last you quite a while.

On a side note, have you been off-roading your vehicle in murky water/sandy areas? I believe the bearings for most of the pulleys are not sealed on a lot of Toyota engines for some reason.
 
BlackWorksInc said:
NEW Alternators are extremely expensive when you order them from the Dealer. New vehicle parts are always going to be expensive unfortunately as that's the way things end up.

This is a website I like to use for parts quotes/part numbers when helping people on the forum, they're a dealership that does wholesale parts online and their prices are fairly reasonable.

List MSRP for the Alternator is $711.29, their price is $564.54
ALTERNATOR ASSY. ALTERNATOR (4000CC 24-VALVE DOHC EFI; GRN28#). 2011 TOYOTA 4Runner # 2706031190

That being said, you may be able to get a Denso remanufactured unit for cheaper (typically the original Alternator is returned as a Core which makes it cheaper,) they usually have a limited warranty and hold-up pretty well. You're next option is to go Napa/Autozone/O'rielly's/ect. and get a cheaper remanufactured unit that's not a Denso part.

I personally would go with either the New or Remanufactuered Denso unit as it will be the best option and will last you quite a while.

On a side note, have you been off-roading your vehicle in murky water/sandy areas? I believe the bearings for most of the pulleys are not sealed on a lot of Toyota engines for some reason.
Click to expand...

[MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] From what I understand there are 2 different alternators for the 4.0, is that correct? If so, do you know if the 100A interchangeable with the 130A? Is there a way to tell which one is which from the VIN? I can't see the numbers on mine...

Thanks!
 
Antman said:
[MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] From what I understand there are 2 different alternators for the 4.0, is that correct? If so, do you know if the 100A interchangeable with the 130A? Is there a way to tell which one is which from the VIN? I can't see the numbers on mine...

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I hadn't even noticed there were 2 different alternators to be honest with you. (Why the hell did Toyota make two alternators with a 30amp difference anyways? I mean 180amp or even 210 I'd understand, but 30amp is pretty paltry...)

I wouldn't be able to tell via the VIN as I am not a parts counter guy and I don't have access to their system at work. The website I linked has a slightly cryptic mention of the different part number between the 100 & 130 amp units.

I would imagine that they must have the same connectors? IF they do have the same connectors (I will have to try and look that up later), would there be any reason for you to not use the 130amp unit?
 
BlackWorksInc said:
I hadn't even noticed there were 2 different alternators to be honest with you.

I wouldn't be able to tell via the VIN as I am not a parts counter guy and I don't have access to their system at work. The website I linked has a slightly cryptic mention of the different part number between the 100 & 130 amp units.

I would imagine that they must have the same connectors? IF they do have the same connectors (I will have to try and look that up later), would there be any reason for you to not use the 130amp unit?
Click to expand...

Hell NO! I am just hoping (and curious) that I have the 130A already. I run dual batteries and if I have the 100A, well that just sucks.
 
i think the 100 A might be for the pointless 4 cylinder (short existence) or for the base SR5, basic stereo, no rear outlets??:confused:
 
[MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION] posted a thread on installing a 230A aftermarket alternator which he is extremely pleased with. For the price point I would do this if you need to change the alternator. you should be able to find it if you look up threads started by [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION]
 
VoodooTitan said:
[MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION] posted a thread on installing a 230A aftermarket alternator which he is extremely pleased with. For the price point I would do this if you need to change the alternator. you should be able to find it if you look up threads started by [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION]
Click to expand...

This thread. One of the many things I've read here and said "excellent writeup" out loud.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/172070-4runner-alternator-upgrade-gen-5-a.html
 
Thanks for all the help. I think I found a lightly used OEM one that is going to be my best option. Still not sure what happened, I don't have any additional accessories running off the truck and never been in any serious off road situations that would have damage it. Just a fluke I guess...
 
the 5th gen alternator is harder than any vehicle I have ever done and I have done 20+ over the years. Helpful hint is the hidden back bracket bolt is easiest accessed through the wheel well after removing the tire. I then took the bolt out of the bracket that bolts to the block and replaced bracket to the new alternator. If I would have known this in the beginning it would have saved a lot of time and my knuckles.
 
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