valex

Hello, guys
Here`s the deal -first problem with my 1999 LS400 - 105K miles.After driving on highway I come to a traffic light and the car dies. VSC and CHECK Engine lights come on. Starts right up after that and the lights go off. Then a few days later same thing - first navigation screens starts flickering, AC makes funny sound, stereo pauses and then starts palying again and when I depress the breaks the car dies. VSC, Headlight leveling and VSC and CHECK Engine lightslights came on. I restarted the car, all lights went off except the CHECK Engine, it went off later that day.
Alternator problem?
Where would you start looking first?
Pure, I hope you will reply.
Thanks in advance.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

get battery tested, then get alternator tested, sounds like one if not both are going out. most likely an alternator issue.

valex

thanks, much respect

trukn1

Def sounds like the signs of a dying alternator. Have the charging system checked at Autozone, or your local parts store. Most of those places don't charge anything to do the system check. Not to mention, your car is OBDII, just takes a code scanner to plug in to see what is going on.

valex

I had the alternator checked,turned out it just started getting bad - 13 volts, supposed to be 14 or a little over. So, I ordered one from Carson, installed it today. The old one gave me problem just 2 or 3 times, but I decided not to wait and changed it.
Is the old one of any value? Can it be returned for core?

avalon42

iTrader: (1)

Depends entirely upon your parts supplier. Usually the core charge is around $30-50. If you rebuild it, you are looking at about that much to pay for the parts, assuming you did the labor to change the contacts, plunger and brushes yourself. Then you'd have to assume that the other parts are not going **** up later.

atoyot

some alternators can be refurbished with just contacts and brushes. I know on my toyota land cruiser i did that for like $10. Not sure if the lexus alternator can be rebuilt the same?