How many miles until your original alternator and/or starter failed?
- Thread starter octanejunkie
- Start date
I replaced the starter contacts on the original starter at somewhere around 200K miles when it started occasionally just clicking instead of cranking. It's been working great since then.
At around 225K miles the brushes in the alternator started to fail, the alternator would stop charging and the warning light would come in intermittently, often 'fixed' by tapping the alternator. I installed a new brush set for really cheaply, and it was all working properly again.... sort of.
I noticed it had a fairly pronounced whine when charging (like after starting, when it's working hard to recharge the battery). And it seemed to be struggling a bit with the load in general. Recently at around 235K miles I whacked it with my purse and put in a Denso rebuilt 100A alternator from a Suzuki Grand Vitara (almost a bolt on, drill out one hole, and the connectors are all the same, just in slightly different spots) and it's no longer whining.
At around 225K miles the brushes in the alternator started to fail, the alternator would stop charging and the warning light would come in intermittently, often 'fixed' by tapping the alternator. I installed a new brush set for really cheaply, and it was all working properly again.... sort of.
I noticed it had a fairly pronounced whine when charging (like after starting, when it's working hard to recharge the battery). And it seemed to be struggling a bit with the load in general. Recently at around 235K miles I whacked it with my purse and put in a Denso rebuilt 100A alternator from a Suzuki Grand Vitara (almost a bolt on, drill out one hole, and the connectors are all the same, just in slightly different spots) and it's no longer whining.
Previologist
Member
Everything is original at 308,000 miles except tires, timing belt (130k since last change), brakes, muffler and fluids. Clutch won't be hitting 309 though
Joshv4runner
Member
starter failed around 180k and alternator failed around 296k.
so I trust denso rebuilds over all other auto part rebuilds...mostly from what I have read here and on other forums. I have used many denso rebuilds with no problems. However today I walked out to my rig after work ( side note auto start for 10m minutes here in alaska) and the alternator was loud. its the front bearing...no my belt is not too tight..
so I am disappointed this alternator has not gone 2 years. but it is charging fine according to my torque pro.
couple of odd things...when it was minus 40 a bit ago...no noise..today at 14 i got noise...2nd odd thing...i have just gotten all my parts to do the 105 denso alternator upgrade..i was gonna do it this summer for next winter charge upgrade with a bigger battery and the big 3
so just how good is a denso rebuild ?
next one....2 months ago I did a denso starter...how long is that gonna last ? ( prob could have just done contacts and clean things....but in a hurry and in the cold and no garage so just did a rock auto denso swap)
so I am disappointed this alternator has not gone 2 years. but it is charging fine according to my torque pro.
couple of odd things...when it was minus 40 a bit ago...no noise..today at 14 i got noise...2nd odd thing...i have just gotten all my parts to do the 105 denso alternator upgrade..i was gonna do it this summer for next winter charge upgrade with a bigger battery and the big 3
so just how good is a denso rebuild ?
next one....2 months ago I did a denso starter...how long is that gonna last ? ( prob could have just done contacts and clean things....but in a hurry and in the cold and no garage so just did a rock auto denso swap)
TracyNorton
Member
as noted above...orig starter died at ~180k
I bought a Denso rebuild from Napa, and now it's dying (odom now at at 250k)...wtf!?
Going to use Timmy's vid and rebuild it myself.
For the past 4 yrs, I've been 'unf**king a lot of past mech half assed repairs (lots of non-oem parts, missing parts...)
Alt died at 225k, but I don't know if it was replaced by orig owner (I'm 2nd owner)
It pays to just do this stuff yourself.
I bought a Denso rebuild from Napa, and now it's dying (odom now at at 250k)...wtf!?
Going to use Timmy's vid and rebuild it myself.
For the past 4 yrs, I've been 'unf**king a lot of past mech half assed repairs (lots of non-oem parts, missing parts...)
Alt died at 225k, but I don't know if it was replaced by orig owner (I'm 2nd owner)
It pays to just do this stuff yourself.
188,000
At least, I *assume* it's the original.
Intending to rebuild it myself, i installed a cheap (<$100) no-name one, while figuring out the issue(s) with the OEM. Turned out it was not only the brushes, but other parts as well (it's been awhile, forgot the specifics, but diodes are involved). But I know another alternator repair lies in my future. Just hope I get the old one fixed before then.
At least, I *assume* it's the original.
Intending to rebuild it myself, i installed a cheap (<$100) no-name one, while figuring out the issue(s) with the OEM. Turned out it was not only the brushes, but other parts as well (it's been awhile, forgot the specifics, but diodes are involved). But I know another alternator repair lies in my future. Just hope I get the old one fixed before then.
