How many miles until your original alternator and/or starter failed?
- Thread starter octanejunkie
- Start date
diverscale
Member
280K and still original alternator and starter.
Took note of Tim's rebuild video of the alternator brushes, this could easily end up saving us money in the near future.
Took note of Tim's rebuild video of the alternator brushes, this could easily end up saving us money in the near future.
DAW89446
Member
I own a 5th gen, but it replaced a ‘02 Tacoma TRD 4x4 which my son still owns. Since the 3rd gen T4R is based on the Tacoma I figure it applies.
Short answer, I never replaced either because neither failed. The truck has 210,000 miles, a high percentage of which was on challenging off road trails. The only repair work was the required timing belt/water pump replacements, a torn steering rack boot (snagged on a pine tree branch in the trail) and spark plugs. Still runs the OEM clutch, still on the original AC freon charge, still has all OEM bulbs except one license plate and one taillight bulbs. It’s been a super truck since I drove it home new from the lot in June, 2002.
TucsonMike
Member
284k on original alternator and starter. Did do the starter contacts around 220k. Still running strong
MikeM
MikeM
Unner
New member
Yeah I wasn't worried about that, but rather pumping gas with the truck running and that sort of thing. I know I see people do it all the time now it seems, but I still don't like doing that. I think from OKC to back home was about 11 hours the truck ran non-stop because I was worried the starter wouldn't work again, and my suspicion was confirmed the next morning
octanejunkie
Elite Member
I used to drive to Reno/Tahoe from SoCal on a regular basis, 8 hours each way in favorable conditions, sometimes longer. I rarely shut the truck down unless I stopped and went inside somewhere along the way.
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octanejunkie
Elite Member
I guess it's my turn as the thread starter.
2WD
My starter took a crap while on a family trip, I had to have it replaced.and lost my OEM starter on that trip, that was at 190K.
I thought I was losing my alternator at ~245K so I went and pulled an OEM alt and starter in a junkyard. Had both tested at a parts store, good. Swapped the alternator and after a month, same symptoms. Turns out the harness plug was gunked up and not making contact. Cleaned that up and now it's good, spare alt on the shelf.
4WD
Truck is new to me at 245K and both the alternator and starter look to have been replaced with parts store units before my ownership. I have Toyota units on the shelf when needed but I'm not sure when their predecessors failed.
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2WD
My starter took a crap while on a family trip, I had to have it replaced.and lost my OEM starter on that trip, that was at 190K.
I thought I was losing my alternator at ~245K so I went and pulled an OEM alt and starter in a junkyard. Had both tested at a parts store, good. Swapped the alternator and after a month, same symptoms. Turns out the harness plug was gunked up and not making contact. Cleaned that up and now it's good, spare alt on the shelf.
4WD
Truck is new to me at 245K and both the alternator and starter look to have been replaced with parts store units before my ownership. I have Toyota units on the shelf when needed but I'm not sure when their predecessors failed.
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96RedRunner
Senior Member
96Red starter solenoid rebuild 250k or so, replaced after tropical storm parked @3' above sea level
got me halfway home 345k.
Alt original fair amount of winch use had it whining at times loading it up 374k.
Current Runner 01 224k both original.
got me halfway home 345k.
Alt original fair amount of winch use had it whining at times loading it up 374k.
Current Runner 01 224k both original.
bmason8159
New member
Not sure if it was oem but I had to replace the starter at about 180k and my battery light came on and the lights all dimmed for about a half hour so I guess the alternator is going at 226k
I have no idea if mine is original, but I have all the records from previous 2 owners ( Im#4) and past 12 or so years and no indication of a starter being done. But I am starting to have intermittent problems, so schedule for a replacement. In winter,..minus 28 the other day,,,,no garage so will pay to have done as I sure dont need starter issues in winter in alaska, and keep the core if its a denso. Currently at around 240k.
Replaced alternator with a denso last fall, as it had a bearing noise and I did not want to dig deeper than brushes. kept the core.
maxthebird
New member
Original starter on '98 began failing at 120,000 mi. Would start ok most of the time then fail with an intermittent click. Replaced with an OEM rebuilt from Toyota. I guess it depends on how many times the starter is used as opposed to the mileage. No issues since. Alternator is still original at 122,000 mi.
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Still going strong on the 87 pickup, that I purchased at 1 year old, 30,000 miles. Now, 327,000 miles, still going strong. It was my DD when I still drove the 100 mies to and from work every day, in 110 degrees F. At first, we were on a "firehouse" schedule, 24 on, 48 off, then we went to a friggen 12 hour schedule. I worked the night shift, 7 PM to 7 AM, week on, week off. Mainly because no one else wanted it. The other 3 Flight Directors rotated through the other night shift. It was still 105 wheen I'd drive to work, though.
Now, I've got a 99 my wife found. She negotiated a $5000 price tag for it, plus 1,000 shipping. Great price, right when the used car prices were skyrocketing. Anywho, it's got 325,000 miles on it, still on the original starter. Still fires right up. I guess I'm just starter-lucky
Now watch, I've jinxed it...
Have a very happy new year all!
Pat☺
Now, I've got a 99 my wife found. She negotiated a $5000 price tag for it, plus 1,000 shipping. Great price, right when the used car prices were skyrocketing. Anywho, it's got 325,000 miles on it, still on the original starter. Still fires right up. I guess I'm just starter-lucky
Now watch, I've jinxed it...
Have a very happy new year all!
Pat☺
BuffaloBass
Member
Great question octane!
Helps me a ton, as I wondered being I have the drivetrain out for a freshen @ 278K. The starter is going to a local rebuilder; I;ll try the alt myself.
Helps me a ton, as I wondered being I have the drivetrain out for a freshen @ 278K. The starter is going to a local rebuilder; I;ll try the alt myself.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
96Red set of contacts, tropical storm took it out 350k or so, Alt. 374k head on crash took it out. 01 OE 229k.
Previologist
Member
As far as I know, 305,000 miles which is where I'm at now. I bought it with about 130, maybe they were done before then but I kinda doubt it.
3G4R_NOLAN
New member
Figured I'd add mine. Got 250k out of my original starter, original alternator just clocked out at 309k.
Grant David
New member
For my 1997 4-runner I got 206k out of my starter and my alternator is still running strong.
