Dead Alternator

[jj8111]

My alternator died the other night and I replaced it yesterday.

The alternator is the hardest belt driven component to get to. I had to remove the fan, fan shroud, drain the radiator, remove the lower radiator hose and remove the belt wheel from the power steering pump to remove the alternator. I tried to remove the alternator without removing the fan but it could not come out. The alternator is located at the bottom of the engine on the passenger

 

[JP4RNR]

How many miles on your truck?

 

[jj8111]

about 68000

 

[JP4RNR]

That seems real early for an alternator to die. I am guessing in your case it was just a fluke and is not the norm. An alternator from Toyota for the 4th gen 4Runner is around $600.00. I guess they don't call them stealerships for nothing

 

[jj8111]

Rebuilt $177 with lifetime warantee

 

[Mark86]

That is really weird. Toyotas shouldn't leave you stranded like that. What is the normal life of an alternator?

 

[4by4th]

I wonder if the short lifespan has anything to do with nosedives into water (your avatar)? Water and electricity don't mix well. Play in the water and eventually it will catch up with you. That's been my experience anyway. Seeing all of the pictures on the internet and in magazines makes it look like fun and it really is when you're doing it, but most of those owners work on their vehicles a lot.

My first 4 wheeling experience was in Upper Michigan in the late 70's in a Toyota pickup going out with a Land Cruiser. They disconnected their fan belts so the fan blades wouldn't break while we crossed a beavers lake that flooded the trail. Water litterally lapped on the hood. I can't imagine what those vehicles had for problems later in life.

Now I see snorkles on Jeeps and really wonder if they're for show or why anyone would ever buy a used one with a snorkle. I have a Jeep, and can really relate to someone elses signature on this forum that says they know all about the Jeep thing and that's why they drive a 4Runner.

 

[jj8111]

I wonder if the short lifespan has anything to do with nosedives into water (your avatar)?

No Doubt, I regullarly 'go surfing'! as well as trail riding.
I will pay a price, but this is why I bought this truck. I also do all the work on the vehicle, it has never been to anyone but the dealer, and then only for free warantee work. They even suck at that (and it was free).


I armorall my ball joint dust covers

 

[wolfgang]

I'll have to see where it is on my V6 --- lower engine is dumb design - you'd think they'd stick power steering down there and alternator up high! Hopefully the lifetime warranty is a realistic timeframe if its that hard to replace! I had 3 lifetime warranteed (Advance Auto) on my '85 Yota PU --- never got more than 16k from any of them -- fortunately up high and easy to replace. I think they replace bad part and nothing else (sure aren't rebuilt - just fixed).

 

[yabedude]

My alternator died the other night and I replaced it yesterday.

Sorry to read about your troubles. Hopefully the rebuilt will last for many years.

Can you please tell me if the original alternator was a Nippondenso? I ask as I want to install a Sure Power battery isolator and the type of alternator is important. After reading about the hassle to remove the alternator in the same 4Runner as mine, I'm not looking forward to relocating the cable from the alternator to the battery isolator now

Thanks.

 

[boston_kevin]

I wonder if the short lifespan has anything to do with nosedives into water (your avatar)? Water and electricity don't mix well. Play in the water and eventually it will catch up with you. That's been my experience anyway. Seeing all of the pictures on the internet and in magazines makes it look like fun and it really is when you're doing it, but most of those owners work on their vehicles a lot.

My first 4 wheeling experience was in Upper Michigan in the late 70's in a Toyota pickup going out with a Land Cruiser. They disconnected their fan belts so the fan blades wouldn't break while we crossed a beavers lake that flooded the trail. Water litterally lapped on the hood. I can't imagine what those vehicles had for problems later in life.

Now I see snorkles on Jeeps and really wonder if they're for show or why anyone would ever buy a used one with a snorkle. I have a Jeep, and can really relate to someone elses signature on this forum that says they know all about the Jeep thing and that's why they drive a 4Runner.

I doubt it. The parts Toyota is using these days are low quality. Seems like Toyota engineers and the accountants got into a fight and the accountants won. Mine has 94k miles and I had to have a new radiator (85k) and a new alternator (94k). Thankfully this is the last Toyota I'll ever buy!

 

[4by4th]

I doubt it. The parts Toyota is using these days are low quality. Seems like Toyota engineers and the accountants got into a fight and the accountants won. Mine has 94k miles and I had to have a new radiator (85k) and a new alternator (94k). Thankfully this is the last Toyota I'll ever buy!

Wow, you quoted me on a post I made 5 years ago. The best reply I can come up with is that I've had my boat in the water about 100 times since then, pulled to the ramp by my 4Runner that's still running strong after being in the water zero times since then.

 

[toyota4]

Rebuilt $177 with lifetime warrantee/QUOTE]

Hi
I just lost my alternator (went wheeling yesterday and got some mud and water in it.... )I wanted to know if $177 was that only the part or also labor? Where did u get the new alternator from?

 

[92-SR5]

I'd just rebuild it. Not too expensive. :mullet:

 

[miner_dan]

Quote...
I tried to remove the alternator without removing the fan but it could not come out. The alternator is located at the bottom of the engine on the passenger[/QUOTE]


I swapped mine out a few weeks ago in 107 degree weather in Phoenix (before the 120 degree weather).
I did not have to remove the fan or shroud (2006-2007) or disconnect a single hose.
Dropping it out the bottom or out the wheel well, offered no glory.

Basically...
Remove the battery ground.

From underneath I loosened all the mounting bolts for the hydraulics and AC (?) hoses. It's pretty obvious, I was just try to give the hoses room to move around. Some helped, some didn't, but it's 5 minutes.

Unbolt the alternator.

Then I disconnected the power steering pump from the engine block accessing the bolts through the pulley. All hoses were left connected.
Then attach a strap clamp of some sort to the alternator pulley.
As you wiggle the alternator up, snug up the clamp.

It's a squeeze and not pretty- there was some gentle pushing/prying against some hoses (but no crow-bars or screwdrivers)- no leaks in the end.

The strap also help the install (in reverse).

Unfortunately it didn't solve my electrical issue. Surging lights, 16-17 volts of output, christmas tree dash periodically....
HELP!

:shrug: