EPayne42

Hello ...I own a 1999 ES300 and the headlights and interior lights flicker (subtly). The car has a brand new battery. I had the alternator bench tested. It passed (tested 3 times). I did some searching and see this topic came up in the past, but I didn't find a definitive answer. Anyone else have this issue? What was the fix?

LeX2K

The fix is to put in a higher amperage alternator from something like a Highlander or Avalon. It bolts right in. BTW all the ES300's do this the alternator is simply not powerful enough to compensate for the spike load of injectors and the like.

EPayne42

Ahhh...I see. Should I be looking for an alternator that fits a 1999 Highlander or Avalon? Have you made this upgrade?

LeX2K

Any car with a 1MZ-FE or 3MZ-FE engine should work such as the Highlander, ES330, Avalon, Sienna. I have one from a Highlander it's a 130amp unit have not put it in yet. Some of the above cars had a 100 amp unit I believe, the stock alternator on our cars is 80amps.

EPayne42

Yep, the Avalon has a 100amp alternator. The Camry has a 90amp. The Avalon alternator runs $200 and the Camry is $140. I might try one from a salvage car and have it bench tested. Can get a used one for $30. Seems odd that Toyota would put a lower amp alternator on a Lexus.

LeX2K

100 amp is probably fine, I bought the 130 on Ebay awhile back because it was a good deal.

wasiii

Even i have the same probs with my Fogs, i have a setup of 55w HID xenon

MRSTRAW

[QUOTE=Lexus2000;8875974]The fix is to put in a higher amperage alternator from something like a Highlander or Avalon. It bolts right in. BTW all the ES300's do this the alternator is simply not powerful enough to compensate for the spike load of injectors and

What year on the Highlander will work?

goose300

[QUOTE=MRSTRAW;10927114]I used one from a 2003 Highlander V6, it was the Denso 100amp alternator. Fits identically, and I've had 0 issues from the past 1.5 years of use.

funcrusher

You can have a custom 200 amp built for about the same price as a new Highlander one that will bolt right up like an OEM. Look up Brand X Electrical