Alternator brush change

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-02-07, 03:39 PM

Why do my charge and brake lights keep coming on at the same time? It's alternator brush time!

Should take about an hour, give or take your bannana rating

This is for a 22RE, but the 3VZE will be about the same.

Step one: Disconnect battery!!!!!! We don't need to learn how to weld while doing this project....

Remove the alt from the vehicle.... on the 22R/RE it will come out the bottom with some dificulty... I was ablt to get mine out without draining the coolant and removing the lower rad hose, because the lower coolant tube that is attached to the block near the engine mount was not bolted on... it barely slipped out, but that's all you need.

On the 3VZE I think it comes out the top, but it's been a while since I did that one.

One it's out, you need to remove the end cover, then pull out the brush holder (See blue circled screws) on my 89 22RE it was in an orange rubber thing.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-02-07, 03:42 PM

When I saw the condition of the shaft in my alt, and the relativley good condition of the brushes, I was doubtfull that the brushes were the problem, but it did do the trick.

Once the brush holder is out, pry it out of the rubber thing.

The 2 soldered connectors will need to be unsoldered.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-02-07, 03:46 PM

Here's the ~ $6 dollar part....

With the old brushes out, the new ones can be soldered in, just make sure you leave enough room for the new brushes to extend almost all the way out of the holder... Make sense?

Here's a good site on how to solder electronics:

http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-02-07, 03:52 PM

Put it all back together, and stick it back in. A lot cheaper than a new alt, and it will probably go a lot longer than the $100+ replacement you'd get..... Long live Nippondenso!!!!

pappy · 12-02-07, 05:13 PM

Great tech. For the record, if folks don't want to do the solder work the brushes in the holder are available from Toyota for $16.90 list ($12.68 CDan). The brushes are available from Toyota too. $3.60 ($2.70) for brushes, and the springs are a buck ($.75), each.

Most Toyota alternators take the replacement brush holders, my Camry does. My FJ60 alternator does not.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-02-07, 05:26 PM

Thanks Pappy! Good to know!

Jonathan_Ferguson · 12-02-07, 11:02 PM

Isn't there Oil lines to and from the Alternator?

Atleast I'm not expecting there to be a Vacuum pump on it.

pappy · 12-03-07, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan_Ferguson

Isn't there Oil lines to and from the Alternator?

Yes. It both cools and lubricates the alternator.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-03-07, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy

Yes. It both cools and lubricates the alternator.

Que?

I've never seen that.... Are you messin' with us?

pappy · 12-03-07, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndGenToyotaFan

Que?

I've never seen that.... Are you messin' with us?

Who? Me?

hobiesbestfriend · 12-03-07, 01:32 PM

While there are Alternators out there that do require oil cooling, I have only heard of it on heavy equipment or commercial transport vehicles. never seen it personally, and certainly not on a mini-truck.

Jonathan_Ferguson · 12-04-07, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobiesbestfriend

While there are Alternators out there that do require oil cooling, I have only heard of it on heavy equipment or commercial transport vehicles. never seen it personally, and certainly not on a mini-truck.

Mine has Oil lines, otherwise how would it be lubricated?

KLF · 12-04-07, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan_Ferguson

Mine has Oil lines, otherwise how would it be lubricated?

I'm calling BS on this. Lemme see a picture.

Bearings in alternators are sealed.

Foreigner · 12-04-07, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLF

I'm calling BS on this. Lemme see a picture.

X2. Somebody's

funny weed.

Jonathan_Ferguson · 12-04-07, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan_Ferguson

Mine has Oil lines, otherwise how would it be lubricated?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLF

I'm calling BS on this. Lemme see a picture.

Bearings in alternators are sealed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foreigner

X2. Somebody's

funny weed.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-04-07, 10:08 PM

Do you have any larger pics?

Foreigner · 12-05-07, 08:50 AM

<< Eating hat! lol

KLF · 12-05-07, 04:59 PM

I can't tell WTF those are pictures of, but I don't see an alternator in there ANYWHERE.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-05-07, 06:26 PM

Well, at least that settles the "Do they have mud in Austrailia" debate....

Jonathan_Ferguson · 12-05-07, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLF

I can't tell WTF those are pictures of, but I don't see an alternator in there ANYWHERE.

Nah, you're right, those Oil lines are for my Turbo.

forestdan7 · 12-06-07, 04:30 PM

Nice writeup and great pictures. I'm inspired now. Time to change them out.

Funny thing is, every time my alt and brake lights come on, the voltage never dips. I wonder if it's a ground somewhere instead of the brushes.

But if it's this easy, I'm going to do it anyway. Then I'll chase down a ground.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 12-06-07, 09:03 PM

My lights came on for months before I changed them, and I never had a power issue. Funny thing was the lights would come on right when I started the truck, but if I turned it off and restarted, then most of the time they would stay off..... They never came on while driving, either right when I started and stay on... or not at all....

DanS HJ-45 · 12-08-07, 08:59 AM

Nice write up Jerod.

But MY alternator DOES have oil lines running to it. No, I'm not kidding.

Dan

12-02-07, 03:39 PM	#1
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	Alternator brush change Why do my charge and brake lights keep coming on at the same time? It's alternator brush time! Should take about an hour, give or take your bannana rating This is for a 22RE, but the 3VZE will be about the same. Step one: Disconnect battery!!!!!! We don't need to learn how to weld while doing this project.... Remove the alt from the vehicle.... on the 22R/RE it will come out the bottom with some dificulty... I was ablt to get mine out without draining the coolant and removing the lower rad hose, because the lower coolant tube that is attached to the block near the engine mount was not bolted on... it barely slipped out, but that's all you need. On the 3VZE I think it comes out the top, but it's been a while since I did that one. One it's out, you need to remove the end cover, then pull out the brush holder (See blue circled screws) on my 89 22RE it was in an orange rubber thing. Attached Images __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers Last edited by 2ndGenToyotaFan; 12-02-07 at 03:53 PM.

12-02-07, 03:42 PM	#2
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	When I saw the condition of the shaft in my alt, and the relativley good condition of the brushes, I was doubtfull that the brushes were the problem, but it did do the trick. Once the brush holder is out, pry it out of the rubber thing. The 2 soldered connectors will need to be unsoldered. Attached Images __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

12-02-07, 03:46 PM	#3
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	Here's the ~ $6 dollar part.... With the old brushes out, the new ones can be soldered in, just make sure you leave enough room for the new brushes to extend almost all the way out of the holder... Make sense? Here's a good site on how to solder electronics: http://www.aaroncake.net/electronics/solder.htm Attached Images __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers Last edited by 2ndGenToyotaFan; 12-02-07 at 03:54 PM.

12-02-07, 03:52 PM	#4
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	Put it all back together, and stick it back in. A lot cheaper than a new alt, and it will probably go a lot longer than the $100+ replacement you'd get..... Long live Nippondenso!!!! __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

12-02-07, 05:13 PM	#5
pappy In debt to the Shaman Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back in Reality TLCA# 10004 Posts: 2,794	Great tech. For the record, if folks don't want to do the solder work the brushes in the holder are available from Toyota for $16.90 list ($12.68 CDan). The brushes are available from Toyota too. $3.60 ($2.70) for brushes, and the springs are a buck ($.75), each. Most Toyota alternators take the replacement brush holders, my Camry does. My FJ60 alternator does not. __________________ aka Bushrat 1969 FJ40 Project TEROTE: Tim@DOA 3FE stroker (aka 2FE), H55F, SOA/SR, 35" MT/R, 3:1TC ... assembly in process 1985 4Runner: lifted, locked, Tim@DOA 22RE, 4.7 tc, with 33" training wheels. R151F with dual 23-spline TCs in the garage. McCain/Obama - Four more years of hell.

12-02-07, 05:26 PM	#6
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	Thanks Pappy! Good to know! __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

12-02-07, 11:02 PM	#7
Jonathan_Ferguson IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Glen Waverley, Victoria, Australia TLCA# June 9th, 2002 Posts: 781	Isn't there Oil lines to and from the Alternator? Atleast I'm not expecting there to be a Vacuum pump on it. __________________ 1986 Nuclear Reactor 1985 Toyota LN65R *LIFE AIN'T WORTH LIVING WHEN YOU DIE BEFORE YOU'RE MEANT TO!*

12-03-07, 01:32 PM	#11
hobiesbestfriend IH8MUD Regular Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 227	While there are Alternators out there that do require oil cooling, I have only heard of it on heavy equipment or commercial transport vehicles. never seen it personally, and certainly not on a mini-truck. __________________ 81 BJ60 Completely Gutted, Bobbed 33" 85 Toyota 4Runner 5" Lift, 33 BFG's, Custom F/R Bumpers with Swing out Tire Carrier, Warn 8274. Misc other stuff

12-04-07, 10:08 PM	#16
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	Do you have any larger pics? Attached Images __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

12-05-07, 08:50 AM	#17
Foreigner IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Missouri and Montana, USA Posts: 81	<< Eating hat! lol __________________ I come seeking knowledge. . . 1990 4Runner SR5, 3.0 V6, 5-speed manual, 31" no-names, and a lead foot KC7EUU

12-05-07, 04:59 PM	#18
KLF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Barrington, NH Posts: 1,786	I can't tell WTF those are pictures of, but I don't see an alternator in there ANYWHERE. __________________ KB1OSF '87 Toyota xcab SR5 - SAS'd, stuff '98 Lexus ES300 '04 Toyota Highlander

12-05-07, 06:26 PM	#19
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	Well, at least that settles the "Do they have mud in Austrailia" debate.... __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

12-06-07, 04:30 PM	#21
forestdan7 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep, dark hills of eastern Kentucky TLCA# 17532 Posts: 320	Nice writeup and great pictures. I'm inspired now. Time to change them out. Funny thing is, every time my alt and brake lights come on, the voltage never dips. I wonder if it's a ground somewhere instead of the brushes. But if it's this easy, I'm going to do it anyway. Then I'll chase down a ground. __________________ 1985 FJ60 1987 4Runner 2007 Honda XR650L

12-06-07, 09:03 PM	#22
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726	My lights came on for months before I changed them, and I never had a power issue. Funny thing was the lights would come on right when I started the truck, but if I turned it off and restarted, then most of the time they would stay off..... They never came on while driving, either right when I started and stay on... or not at all.... __________________ Jerod Online Toyota Parts Catalog!!! 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

12-08-07, 08:59 AM	#23
DanS HJ-45 IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM TLCA# 17527 Posts: 773	Nice write up Jerod. But MY alternator DOES have oil lines running to it. No, I'm not kidding. Dan __________________ 1976 HJ-45 (needs restoration) http://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-...self-into.html 1991 "Faux-Lux"Pickup 4x4 2LT-E/R-150f http://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota...onversion.html "Dandelions. You see flowers in these weeds." --Five Iron Frenzy Rebuilt Aisin Hub Faces http://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/2...hub-faces.html

12-08-07, 07:05 PM	#24
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,726