damihall

Hey CL I have a 92 es300 and I started it last night and the headlights, dash, etc would dim as I put pressure on the brakes. I read some threads on here mentioning the alternator so I decided to check it... I checked the battery prior to starting it and it was reading approx 12v so that’s fine, but when I started it I checked the alternator and it was at about 13v decreasing so this is what’s leading me to believe it the alternator. I saw that in a 96 es300 Toyota went cheap and installed an alternator that wasn’t powerful enough. So does anyone have any suggestions or if it’s possible any knowledge on a compatible replacement. PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

canucklehe

if you use a meter, it should show the battery voltage at around 14V or a bit more, while running/charging. if you are getting 13V and it drops, maybe it is alternator. Our local pickapart sells u-pull alternator for $30. make sure the electrical connection plug is the same as your 92, as i noticed there are round ones, and also shquare/rectangle plugs, and they are different. I have to take my brush assembly off my old one to make it work with my new one.

PFB

Your tests are inconclusive. Take your car to your closest Autozone and they will test your charging system and Battery free of charge. In the interim, don't buy anything, you may be wasting your money.

Phil

canucklehe

yeah, what PFB said. that's a pretty cheap, easy way to pin it down!!

damihall

thanks phil. i went out this morning and i checked it before i went and the alternator was reading perfectly fine and i took the battery in and had it tested and it was fine, so i just got new connections and cleaned up the terminal and it seems to be dimming less now so i think it may have been something with the connection. im still unsure at the moment.