TriniLex

Tried to jump my car yesterday and I smelled some electrical smoke
I pulled the battery and had it tested by advance auto. It was bad

Had it swapped out for another lexus battery.
Installed it my self and saw some smoke on the left side of the engine. Car was not turned on. Just connected battery terminals.

Could this be an alternator gone bad?

jagtoes

It appears you have a major short . Find where the smoke came from and you found the problem.

ESh

I bet your alternator is shot. The short is inside probably. Disconnect the power wire that goes on the alternator (10 mm socket) and then plug connect the battery.

chuyrobles

He said he saw smoke on the left side of the engine; alternator is on the right. Could still be alternator. If you can drive it, take it to an alternator rebuild shop. Most are family owned and will not charge for a quick diagnostic. Or call them an tell them what you observed.

TriniLex

Sorry I meant on the Left side when looking at the engine
Here is the pic

I tried placing the wires back on he terminals.. Slight smoke but it went away. Car Started up no battery light on the dash.

I called advance auto parts and they stated they check alternators while on the car.
Not sure how accurate it is but I will give it a shot.

TriniLex

I found this video to check the voltage on the alternator
seems straight forward.
Will attempt this afternoon

jagtoes

I'm sorry but I made some assumptions that these simple tests were done.

TriniLex

No problem will report back the readings.

chuyrobles

When white smoke came out of the alternator area on my wife's 07 ES350, it turned out to be a locked decoupler pulley (ADP) that had locked up and fried the alternator. There is a plastic cap at the end of the pulley. You pop it open and look inside for metal pieces or shavings. Gates recommends replacing it along with the serpentine belt. You need special tools to remove it. I think Amazon has a $30 kit; ADP pulleys are priced along the same price range. But, if your alternator is fried, you need a new one or get it rebuild at a rebuild shop.

TriniLex

When the ADP pulley went bad did it smell like electrical burning?

chuyrobles

Yes, it was combined with burnt rubber smell from the serpentine belt.

I found a pic of the innards. Don't know how it rusted so much as the car is garaged at home and at work.

chuyrobles

Here is a Gates video that explains how ADP work and why they are used. However, the second link is more along my opinion. I may replace it if we still have the ES350 at 250K miles.

TriniLex

very good info.
Advance auto parts rents this tool kit out
I will try it on monday.

TriniLex

But to note the smoke was emitting while the car was off and the battery was connected.

TriniLex

This was yesterday
you can see a bit of smoke 10 seconds in