Dead alternator? (1 Viewer)

[Bryanmc]

My battery is a little over a year old, multimeter reads 12.2 when cold. My LX clicks rapidly when I try and start her.

Cleaned the terminals, no help.

She will start when jumped but after a few minutes dies a slow death, and the battery drops in volts as it runs.

Would seem the alternator isn’t charging the battery. Sound right?

 

[tbisaacs]

Which battery terminals are you running

 

[Bryanmc]

Which battery terminals are you running

Stock

 

[doru]

Sounds like an alternator problem. If the battery is fully charged how long it takes before the engine dies?

 

[Bryanmc]

Sounds like an alternator problem. If the battery is fully charged how long it takes before the engine dies?

I’ll find out tomorrow, I left it with AutoZone to charge and test.

 

[TeCKis300]

I’ll find out tomorrow, I left it with AutoZone to charge and test.

I know you said your batt is newer, but I would start with replacing that just to eliminate the simple thing. The symptoms could be of a battery that is failing under load even as it reads okay voltage at rest. It could be the starter or alternator too. With a failing alternator, it's likely the battery is compromised anyways as it hasn't been fully charged and is more deeply drawn, both of which will kill batteries in short order.

 

[Bryanmc]

I do have a battery light which I assumed just meant low voltage but according to the manual it means there’s a problem with the charging system.

I got my battery back charged from AutoZone and they said it looked fine, I put it back in and the car starts and runs but the battery light remains so I don’t think it’s being charged. My dash meter shows just under 12v.

 

[goldwater58]

What does the battery voltage show on the multimeter when it's running? Should be 13.6ish volts. Much lower and I'd definitely suspect the alternator.

 

[Bryanmc]

What does the battery voltage show on the multimeter when it's running? Should be 13.6ish volts. Much lower and I'd definitely suspect the alternator.

I didn’t check today after having the battery charged but last night it was showing 7-9 volts when running.

 

[goldwater58]

I didn’t check today after having the battery charged but last night it was showing 7-9 volts when running.

Yeah I'd definitely put money on the alternator then. When you do get it sorted out, you may have to get a new battery (or at least load test your current one). You can only torture the battery a few times with low voltage before irreversible damage occurs to its capacity. Unless you're not rocking a lead acid battery.

 

[Bryanmc]

Off to search YouTube!

 

[bentonrover]

Just curious on your year and miles? I'm at 236k on a 08 LC original alternator.

 

[tbisaacs]

Just curious on your year and miles? I'm at 236k on a 08 LC original alternator.

Go buy a lottery ticket!

 

[Bryanmc]

155K, 2010.

Reviewed several threads, I’m confident this project is within my abilities. Haven’t ever drained a radiator before though, that will be new.

Searching now for a replacement alternator.

 

[Bryanmc]

Anyone have any recommendations for alternators?

 

[mep1811]

I don't know if upgrading the alternator is worthwhile with the "smart alternator" . With my FJ60 with every replacement I'd upgrade if possible.

 

[mep1811]

Check out this thread.

Alternator upgrade - done!

I upgraded the factory alternator to a higher amperage unit to support, among other things we want to do, charging a travel trailer under tow. In another thread titled "Trailer Power" https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/trailer-power.1317688/ we were talking about powering a travel trailer from...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[tbisaacs]

Anyone have any recommendations for alternators?

OEM denso

 

[Bryanmc]

Check out this thread.

Alternator upgrade - done!

I upgraded the factory alternator to a higher amperage unit to support, among other things we want to do, charging a travel trailer under tow. In another thread titled "Trailer Power" https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/trailer-power.1317688/ we were talking about powering a travel trailer from...

forum.ih8mud.com

Interesting but I don’t think I’m looking to do something custom here.

OEM denso

This is my first alternator, I know rebuilding them is pretty common but I’m surprised that I can’t find a new Denso anywhere.

Remanufactured is ok?

 

[tbisaacs]

27060-38050 Genuine Toyota Alternator Assembly

ToyotaPartsDeal.com offers the great deal for genuine Toyota parts 27060-38050 (2706038050) Alternator Assembly for $433.80. All parts are backed by the Toyota's warranty.

www.toyotapartsdeal.com

You might shop around but $400-ish is what I paid.