Today when I was driving the battery indicator light came on. I took the car to Walmart to get the battery checked and the battery is still good (The battery is 1yr old with a three yr warranty). Next I took my car to advance auto and got the alternator checked it turned out to be good. When I got home my capacitor in the trunk was beeping and the lights on the dash started dimming. The next day when crunk the car up it made a knocking noise in the engine, and the battery light was still on. Has anyone ever had these problems with their GS, or has any suggestions.

 

Check for corrosion on your battery terminals, and the wires. Sometimes they can do that. However, you may also want to check your wires leading to the alternator and starter. Mine are starting to go bad as well.

 

Yesterday I replaced the battery and the indicator light was still on. So I took the car to autozone and had the alternator check. It turns out my alternator is very weak so I put the car in the garage and now im searching for a place that rebuilds alternators for a good price.

 

And sell that cap, its useless...

 

If you can remove the alternator from the car you can rebuild yourself. Replacing the brush assembly is what is needed most of the time. About $20 from the dealer. You can also replace the bearings if they are noisy.

Here is a pic from the Landcruiser forum of a set worn brushes coming out. Notice all the gunk from the old brushes.

 

WOW!!! That is the nastiest alternator I have ever seen, and I have been a mechanic for over 40 years. Is this from a 4WD vehicle? Maybe that could explain the corrosion.

 

Yea, Landcruiser is 4WD, the guy had a power steering leak that dripped on the unit. Click Here for the complete thread with more pics.
The internals of these alternators are pretty much the same as our Lexus'

 

Toyota/Lexus seems to always put the alternator underneath the power steering pump. Then, since the power steering fluid is hardly ever changed, the pump begins to leak fluid, and it drips into the alternator.

That fluid really takes it out. I make it a habit to change my power steering fluid at least once a year. It is less than a quart to flush the system, and at 180,000 miles, my pump has never leaked and the steering is perfect.

I hope my alternator never looks like this.

 

Okay so I had a new alternator put in my car. While taking out the old my mechanic cracked piece of my belt tensioner assembly, glued it back together and put in the new alternator. The charging indicator light has gone off but now when I step on the gas or crank it up it makes a little squeal, and the power steering isnt working. I popped the hood and the engine was hot, and I noticed a small harness below the air filter by the alternator. I got to take everything apart and find out if the little harness goes to my power steering pump.

 

Take it back to your mechanic, you did pay him right.

 

that alternator really looks like crap lol! look in the phone book for any armature place! they getting harder and harder to find but they should be able to do it! we have one in memphis called jackson armature!

 

Yeah Im going to pay him, the mechanic is my dad he still has the car. It should be fixed by tomorrow.

 

Ok I had the alternator replaced now when I crank the car up or let it sit while on it makes a whining noise. I dont know if its coming from the belt because it might be to tight, or if its just the sound of the new alternator. Has anyone ever had any problems like this after replacing the alternator.