Alternator Problem
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 992
Likes: 292
From: NJ
I was just quoted $900 in labor and a total price of $1400-$1500 to replace it. One place was a local garage while the other was Pep Boys and not Lexus dealer. Pep Boys claims you have to take off the bumper which I don't think you need to (maybe he meant bumper cover..)... Seen a couple of videos and it doesn't look too bad, but you need to remove a few things on the top to get access to the alternator. I have only worked on minor stuff before such as exhaust, brakes, calibpers, etc., and although it doesn't look too complicated this would be more difficult than what I have done in the past. Also, I am renting a a place temporary and most of my tools are scattered in different boxes.
I assume someone here has done this, so how complicated a job is this and is it something a novice/intermediate should do :-) ? Unless I try to do things myself I will never get better at this either :-)
This doesn't show all, but some of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYagn_nYRaI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQWn-gkWPJU&t=490s
I assume someone here has done this, so how complicated a job is this and is it something a novice/intermediate should do :-) ? Unless I try to do things myself I will never get better at this either :-)
This doesn't show all, but some of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYagn_nYRaI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQWn-gkWPJU&t=490s
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 156
Likes: 37
From: Illinois
It is not too difficult of a job but it takes time. If you are comfortable working on your brakes, this job is doable.
You don't need to remove the radiator, but you will need to remove the cooling fans and be able to tilt the radiator forward.
One important step that all of the shortcut videos skip over is that there is a bolt on the bottom side of the alternator that you have to remove in order to remove the old alternator without damaging any wiring. You need to remove the cooling fans and tilt the radiator forward in order to get to this bolt.
I found this video very helpful when replacing mine (start watching around the 17:30 mark to get a grasp of the hidden wiring harness bracket that I am referring to):
You don't need to remove the radiator, but you will need to remove the cooling fans and be able to tilt the radiator forward.
One important step that all of the shortcut videos skip over is that there is a bolt on the bottom side of the alternator that you have to remove in order to remove the old alternator without damaging any wiring. You need to remove the cooling fans and tilt the radiator forward in order to get to this bolt.
I found this video very helpful when replacing mine (start watching around the 17:30 mark to get a grasp of the hidden wiring harness bracket that I am referring to):
Last edited by sthpawil; Dec 26, 2024 at 02:34 PM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 18
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Thanks sthpawil. I might have found a place that is more reasonable and I think I will give them a try. They said it was about $500 in labor which I think is reasonable if they can do it for that. My car is a 2009 so you never know what other problems I might run into if I start doing it myself :-)
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