A week ago I noticed a high-pitched whining sound coming from the engine of my 2001 ES300. It speeds up at the same speed as the engine. I didn't pay much attention, but then the battery warning light eventually came on on the dashboard. It will sometimes turn off if I rev the engine up pretty high, but comes back on again at normal speed or slow driving.

I'm guessing my alternator is going bad. I want to get another one from the local auto wrecker, but they don't have a 2001 ES300. I'm trying to figure out which other models have an alternator that will be compatible with my car, but I'm a little lost. I assume certain Camry years will work, right? There are lots of Camrys in this place, so that would be an easy way to get a replacement. They also have a 97 ES300. Does anyone have a handy website where I can see which models/years have an alternator that I can use?

 

Hello,

Here is a parts catalogue for your car. The alternator will work off of pretty much any car with 1MZ-FE engine. That said, the stock 80A alternator for this car is pretty weak, so if you can, I will strongly suggest you to opt for a 100A alternator off of Highlander/RX300. The other thing to remember is that it will be tough to find an alternator with low mileage or in brand new shape at the junkyard, so before committing yourself, either take the back cover off and assess the condition, or ask for the warranty. Other than that, I would also suggest replacing brushes (P/N: 27370-75060 for both of the alternators) before putting the alternator on the car, since they are pretty cheap. The other thing you can do is get an already remanufactured Denso alternator; while it is more expensive, that alternator will last for quite a bit longer..

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

^^ Take the above advice and get a reman Denso 100 amp from places like Rockauto instead of a salvage yard part. Only good one I've ever seen at a wreckers was a remanufactured Denso (I have it in my winter car) but that was a lucky find.

 

Thank you gentlemen. I pulled a decroded-looking alternator out of a 1998 ES300 at the local Pick N Pull, installed it and the battery warning light is gone! So is the whine. I dropped an extra seven bucks for the one-year warranty just for laughs.

Life is good.