Alternator replacement 2005 LS 430
#61
I noticed on the Amazon link it did mention this under description......"This product is in a Denso package, however the part may have been manufactured by an independent Denso supplier". Could this mean that this alternator might not be remanufactered by Denso but by another outside source?
#62
Pole Position
Translation: The internal replacement parts are genuine Denso; the labor to re-manufacture the alternator may be performed by an independent shop. The attached pic of a # 210-0508 alternator purchased from Amazon shows the same Denso reman. sticker as my replacement 0508 authentic Denso reman. alternator purchased from a foreign auto parts store. This is as close to original Denso as you're going to get with a re-manufactured alternator unless you buy new. (Note: there is a difference between "re-manufactured" and "re-built.")
Last edited by Tom57; 11-06-15 at 01:53 PM.
#63
Daniel Stern, the lighting guru, wrote an interesting 2009 essay on reman alternators:
http://ednixon.com/pix/Alternators.html
"..............I've seen what goes into the "remanufactured" parts, and it's pure junk, through and through. Low-bid, low-spec Chinese consumables that don't even come close to meeting the OEM spec. And yes, that's even on the "lifetime" units........................Many or most of them have been through the quick 'n' abusive, low-price-at-all-costs "remanufacturing" process several times. Critical casting dimensions have been blasted into oblivion...multiple times. Low-quality parts have replaced low-quality parts...multiple times. Stators and rotors have been mismatched...multiple times. .........................The latest gimmick is the "100% new" scam. Yeah, you can walk into a parts store and buy a "100% new!" alternator or starter or whatever for your 20-year-old car. Sure...but they're brand-new, very low quality Chinese copycats. ...................Alternator problems like low output at idle, flickery or spiky output, etc. are often greaty aggravated by the installation of a "remanufactured" alternator. These contain mismatched components from multiple different original alternators, which are physically interchangeable but electrically don't work properly together. There are many problems that can affect any alternator and reduce its output, make it flickery, etc..........................."Lifetime warranty" means you get to spend your lifetime replacing failed parts under warranty. Sure, they'll usually give you another alternator (starter, carburetor, brake cylinder, distributor, whatever) but the overall effect is to make the car unreliable, which means the lifetime warranty is nothing but a sales tool....."
http://ednixon.com/pix/Alternators.html
"..............I've seen what goes into the "remanufactured" parts, and it's pure junk, through and through. Low-bid, low-spec Chinese consumables that don't even come close to meeting the OEM spec. And yes, that's even on the "lifetime" units........................Many or most of them have been through the quick 'n' abusive, low-price-at-all-costs "remanufacturing" process several times. Critical casting dimensions have been blasted into oblivion...multiple times. Low-quality parts have replaced low-quality parts...multiple times. Stators and rotors have been mismatched...multiple times. .........................The latest gimmick is the "100% new" scam. Yeah, you can walk into a parts store and buy a "100% new!" alternator or starter or whatever for your 20-year-old car. Sure...but they're brand-new, very low quality Chinese copycats. ...................Alternator problems like low output at idle, flickery or spiky output, etc. are often greaty aggravated by the installation of a "remanufactured" alternator. These contain mismatched components from multiple different original alternators, which are physically interchangeable but electrically don't work properly together. There are many problems that can affect any alternator and reduce its output, make it flickery, etc..........................."Lifetime warranty" means you get to spend your lifetime replacing failed parts under warranty. Sure, they'll usually give you another alternator (starter, carburetor, brake cylinder, distributor, whatever) but the overall effect is to make the car unreliable, which means the lifetime warranty is nothing but a sales tool....."
#64
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I wanna say thank you for this thread, i followed this guide to purchase my denso replacement and the steps of removing and replacing my old alternator. you guys are awesome
#65
Daniel Stern, the lighting guru, wrote an interesting 2009 essay on reman alternators:
http://ednixon.com/pix/Alternators.html
"..............I've seen what goes into the "remanufactured" parts, and it's pure junk, through and through. Low-bid, low-spec Chinese consumables that don't even come close to meeting the OEM spec. And yes, that's even on the "lifetime" units........................Many or most of them have been through the quick 'n' abusive, low-price-at-all-costs "remanufacturing" process several times. Critical casting dimensions have been blasted into oblivion...multiple times. Low-quality parts have replaced low-quality parts...multiple times. Stators and rotors have been mismatched...multiple times. .........................The latest gimmick is the "100% new" scam. Yeah, you can walk into a parts store and buy a "100% new!" alternator or starter or whatever for your 20-year-old car. Sure...but they're brand-new, very low quality Chinese copycats. ...................Alternator problems like low output at idle, flickery or spiky output, etc. are often greaty aggravated by the installation of a "remanufactured" alternator. These contain mismatched components from multiple different original alternators, which are physically interchangeable but electrically don't work properly together. There are many problems that can affect any alternator and reduce its output, make it flickery, etc..........................."Lifetime warranty" means you get to spend your lifetime replacing failed parts under warranty. Sure, they'll usually give you another alternator (starter, carburetor, brake cylinder, distributor, whatever) but the overall effect is to make the car unreliable, which means the lifetime warranty is nothing but a sales tool....."
http://ednixon.com/pix/Alternators.html
"..............I've seen what goes into the "remanufactured" parts, and it's pure junk, through and through. Low-bid, low-spec Chinese consumables that don't even come close to meeting the OEM spec. And yes, that's even on the "lifetime" units........................Many or most of them have been through the quick 'n' abusive, low-price-at-all-costs "remanufacturing" process several times. Critical casting dimensions have been blasted into oblivion...multiple times. Low-quality parts have replaced low-quality parts...multiple times. Stators and rotors have been mismatched...multiple times. .........................The latest gimmick is the "100% new" scam. Yeah, you can walk into a parts store and buy a "100% new!" alternator or starter or whatever for your 20-year-old car. Sure...but they're brand-new, very low quality Chinese copycats. ...................Alternator problems like low output at idle, flickery or spiky output, etc. are often greaty aggravated by the installation of a "remanufactured" alternator. These contain mismatched components from multiple different original alternators, which are physically interchangeable but electrically don't work properly together. There are many problems that can affect any alternator and reduce its output, make it flickery, etc..........................."Lifetime warranty" means you get to spend your lifetime replacing failed parts under warranty. Sure, they'll usually give you another alternator (starter, carburetor, brake cylinder, distributor, whatever) but the overall effect is to make the car unreliable, which means the lifetime warranty is nothing but a sales tool....."
#66
OK, how can you tell if your '04 has a 3 pin or 4 pin connector on it? The alternator isn't very visible from the top. I just hate the thought of jacking up the car and pulling the belly pan just to check the connector before ordering a replacement unit.
My LS is showing 13.5 volts at idle with lights and A/C on which is OK in a miserable way and shows an aging unit. The car generally works but I've had the battery drop and needing recharging occasionally. I'm guessing I'm on the edge.
I just hate to order a new unit that might fit -or might not. Can we tell from VIN or date of manufacture?
My LS is showing 13.5 volts at idle with lights and A/C on which is OK in a miserable way and shows an aging unit. The car generally works but I've had the battery drop and needing recharging occasionally. I'm guessing I'm on the edge.
I just hate to order a new unit that might fit -or might not. Can we tell from VIN or date of manufacture?
#67
Lexus Champion
From LS430 repair manuals...
Note that some early 2004 LS430 were equipped with the 3-pin 90980-11349 connector. I understand that the Lexus dealer can look up this information based on your VIN.
Note that some early 2004 LS430 were equipped with the 3-pin 90980-11349 connector. I understand that the Lexus dealer can look up this information based on your VIN.
Last edited by rkw77080; 06-07-16 at 07:10 PM.
#68
Pole Position
OK, how can you tell if your '04 has a 3 pin or 4 pin connector on it? The alternator isn't very visible from the top. I just hate the thought of jacking up the car and pulling the belly pan just to check the connector before ordering a replacement unit.
My LS is showing 13.5 volts at idle with lights and A/C on which is OK in a miserable way and shows an aging unit. The car generally works but I've had the battery drop and needing recharging occasionally. I'm guessing I'm on the edge.
I just hate to order a new unit that might fit -or might not. Can we tell from VIN or date of manufacture?
My LS is showing 13.5 volts at idle with lights and A/C on which is OK in a miserable way and shows an aging unit. The car generally works but I've had the battery drop and needing recharging occasionally. I'm guessing I'm on the edge.
I just hate to order a new unit that might fit -or might not. Can we tell from VIN or date of manufacture?
#69
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Bought an Oreilly rebuilt alternator, keeping my factory one to have an auto electrical shop rebuild, 120 bucks,
Works great, alternator didn't die slowly, it just stopped. Lexus wanted 495 for a rebuilt one
Works great, alternator didn't die slowly, it just stopped. Lexus wanted 495 for a rebuilt one
#70
Intermediate
#71
Great thread, thanks guys! I bought one from RockAuto and replaced it today. My alternator died a few weeks after buying a new battery. Coincidence or is there a correlation?
#72
Battery R&R Because It's Easier
OK, how can you tell if your '04 has a 3 pin or 4 pin connector on it? The alternator isn't very visible from the top. I just hate the thought of jacking up the car and pulling the belly pan just to check the connector before ordering a replacement unit.
My LS is showing 13.5 volts at idle with lights and A/C on which is OK in a miserable way and shows an aging unit. The car generally works but I've had the battery drop and needing recharging occasionally. I'm guessing I'm on the edge.
I just hate to order a new unit that might fit -or might not. Can we tell from VIN or date of manufacture?
My LS is showing 13.5 volts at idle with lights and A/C on which is OK in a miserable way and shows an aging unit. The car generally works but I've had the battery drop and needing recharging occasionally. I'm guessing I'm on the edge.
I just hate to order a new unit that might fit -or might not. Can we tell from VIN or date of manufacture?
#73
Driver School Candidate
What a great guy to post something so incredibly helpful. I swapped out my original alternator in about 3 hours. I had to use a floor jack and jack stands but all in all it was a simple job. Many thanks to you for your detailed help. Saved me a bunch of money.
#74
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Need help
I replaced the alternator on my 06 Lexus ls430 and pulled the 3 wires out of the pigtail plug and can’t figure out what spot the wires go in and it has 1 2 4 and the color of the wires are red. Blue/red. Pink/blue
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LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
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