How many miles until your original alternator and/or starter failed?
- Thread starter Seymore Butts
- Start date
trd_v8_sport
New member
my 06 v8 sport, the alternator failed back in 2015 and i think i had about 170k on it. Used my old employee discount and got a brand new OEM. 216k miles today and still going strong
gm350reratliff
New member
Almost at 203k miles and today leaving for work, the alternator really started whining. No battery light but had a strong electrical burning smell coming from it and it was HOT. I disconnected the battery in case it decides to short out while it waits until I can replace it.
A little over 215K for me. Replaced it with a rebuilt Denso I bought through Napa online shipped to home which took 3 days (2 days faster than their 'reserve online pickup at store option). With free shipping and a deduction for an online purchase promo and after returning the core to my nearest Napa B&M (which also told me they couldn't get me the same alt for a week and for much more $ - they kept trying to talk me into their NAPA Power Premium Plus instead which was a hard NO) I was set back about $200. That was just in Feb, but no issues with it since.
I chose not to follow the Factory Service or AllData instructions which had me removing the fan and shroud to bring it out up top and instead dropped the swaybar to bring it out from underneath. It was tight but it worked and I think I saved some time, but TBH not sure. It took me 2-3 hours in the driveway on a ~30 deg day. made me miss the days when an alt was a 15 min job with 2 bolts and a plug and plenty of room to work.
I chose not to follow the Factory Service or AllData instructions which had me removing the fan and shroud to bring it out up top and instead dropped the swaybar to bring it out from underneath. It was tight but it worked and I think I saved some time, but TBH not sure. It took me 2-3 hours in the driveway on a ~30 deg day. made me miss the days when an alt was a 15 min job with 2 bolts and a plug and plenty of room to work.
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Bassturd
New member
My starter failed at about 198k in my 04 V8. It kinda stumped me because I had sunk the vehicle in the river 3 days prior so I thought it was due to water damage. After some diagnosing I replaced it with a rebuilt OEM brought from the nearest dealership. Took me a Saturday morning with a friend. Wasn’t too bad looked worse then it really was.
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Bluesky 07
Senior Member
If anyone is looking, the Denso site previously linked has remans for the 4th Gen V6. My alt is original as far as I know and at 226K miles, I’m wondering whether a preemptive replacement is a good idea.
Seymore Butts
New member
Take a look at "about us" on that site. That is NOT the Denso site, just a cleverly named retail outlet. No mention of what parts are actually used to rebuild Denso products.
BTW, to answer my own question that started this thread:
My original alt went out at 155k miles. I heard a turbocharger sound and the voltage monitor dropped to 11 to 12 volts. Battery light came on immediately. 2008 V6.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
This Denso's official site.
ERROR: The request could not be satisfied
Edit: Not sure why the link is showing up like that with the error message...the link does work for me even with that message!
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Bluesky 07
Senior Member
True, and thank you for pointing that out b/c I never want to mislead anyone. With that said, clicking “buy now” on the official Denso site linked by [MENTION=149207]AuSeeker[/MENTION] refers you to three sources, the one to which you’re referring, NAPA, and one other, so it appears to be a legit source.
gm350reratliff
New member
To add to this, mine just recently failed, 204K miles. Sounds like the bearings in the alternator were shot. I picked up a rebuilt Denso unit at the Toyota dealership, installed it and it sounded even worse than the OEM unit I just took off. Within the 30 seconds or so of running it, it was locked up tight when I removed it to take it back. The dealership only had that one and I needed this 4Runner drivable so I picked up a reman'd unit at O'Reillys. Hopefully it holds up!!
always better to replace the alternator. you have to consider the bearing too can fail at that miles.
Mine failed at 238,000 with the battery light coming on.
Took it to a mechanic my mom uses and trusts that was down the road instead of trying to get home 20 miles and changing it myself.
Went with OEM alternator and OEM serpentine belt since mine was old
$305 Denso alternator from toyota dealer
$70 for belt
$240 labor (2 hours at $120 an hour)
misc tax and shop stuff
$683 out the door.
Thought this was very fair and it was done in 2 days.
Took it to a mechanic my mom uses and trusts that was down the road instead of trying to get home 20 miles and changing it myself.
Went with OEM alternator and OEM serpentine belt since mine was old
$305 Denso alternator from toyota dealer
$70 for belt
$240 labor (2 hours at $120 an hour)
misc tax and shop stuff
$683 out the door.
Thought this was very fair and it was done in 2 days.
INW4RUNNER
New member
2004 SR5 V6. Original Owner. 230K miles. Still running on original alternator and starter. I have thought about preemptive replacement given the very remote places I go.
RBLACAUSA
Member
Replaced the original alternator on my '04 last month at 119,000 as preventative maintenance...didn't want to get stranded anywhere and had a 1,000 mile drive to do in rain and snow.
Replaced a bad (original??) alternator on my '06 a year ago, about 138k miles.
Replaced the (bad) alternator for the second time on my LX 1 year ago at 138k miles and previously 10 years earlier at 62k miles (also went bad).
I used OEM every time and brought back the cores for a refund.
Replaced a bad (original??) alternator on my '06 a year ago, about 138k miles.
Replaced the (bad) alternator for the second time on my LX 1 year ago at 138k miles and previously 10 years earlier at 62k miles (also went bad).
I used OEM every time and brought back the cores for a refund.
RunnerFanTenn
New member
Pushing my luck after 19 years
Shopping now for OEM starter and alternator for my 04 runner. Both starter/alternator are original and at 260,000+ miles work fine daily. Going to start running to lake (3 hour drive) more frequently this summer so it is time just to be grateful and do some "preventive maintenance" Bought new 19 years ago, just indestructible, amazing machine.
Shopping now for OEM starter and alternator for my 04 runner. Both starter/alternator are original and at 260,000+ miles work fine daily. Going to start running to lake (3 hour drive) more frequently this summer so it is time just to be grateful and do some "preventive maintenance" Bought new 19 years ago, just indestructible, amazing machine.
