MCCR

Car at dealer for recall. lHonestly I haven't even looked to where it is? How hard to replace and how do alternator's cost.

AudioBob

The alternator itself can be had for under $200 from most auto parts stores. It might be a rebuilt, but I have never had any issues with a remanufactured one. The total price sounds about $600 too much to me.

tunedis95

My oem alternator ws over 500 bucks. Installed myself. And is really easy to throw in.

Dawa

iTrader: (5)

^yup. and even if it is "remanufactured in china/mexico" the majority if not all rebuilt/remanned alternators (and similar) have a lifetime OR very long time warranty. so if it goes out on you, you exchange it for a new one.


the procedure for most alternator change outs is something like:

-disconnect battery
-disconnect wire(s)/cable(s) from alternator
-loosen a bolt or two to release tension from alternator belt
-remove tension adjuster
-remove nut(s)/bolt(s) from the other/fixed end of the alternator.

super easy.

MCCR

I have changed a few out but not on the Lexus. I have an extended warranty and the company will pay all except 400 and change. I'm not paying anything. If worse comes to worse I'll tow it back home and do myself
Its there for the recall.

darinmg

My experience with autozone alternators....my 95' toyota pickup has gone through at least 4 of them over the last 5-6 years. The factory one lasted ~280K miles, and the autozone ones lasted maybe 20K each (have 385K on the truck now). Yeah the part is free every time, but it takes me around 3 hours to change it (cooling system must be drained, lower hard cooling line removed, an AC line loosened, and it must be shoe horned out the bottom of the truck past the steering shaft and wheel well...PITA) . If I had to do it again I would go OEM. 5-6 years ago I had more time than money. Now I have more money than time.

avs20

iTrader: (2)

Look online at salvage yards..that's where I bought mine. It was $125 with 20k miles on it and it is oem. The IS shares the same alt because that's what mine came off of. The swap is fairly simple..except for one bolt that is kind of hidden.

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

Just buy a brush set or repair kit from sewell I think its like $14

Its easy to replace

XxGoKoUxX

if you don't mind having a little extra amperage.... www.mechman.com

I got mine's a little while back, I need to find time to get around to the install.

Dawa

iTrader: (5)

i knew someone would mention this. and i agree, its definitely a trade off
its either, a new/oem alternator for more $$
OR
a cheaper alt that will require more of your time down the road if or when it 'goes out'

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Other option is remove yours and take to a shop and have rebuilt. There are people out there that specifically do this.

BinaryJay

I got a spare out of a wrecked almost new IS with like 10K on it a couple of years ago on eBay for $100 from a wrecker... haven't needed it, not even sure why I bought it.

burny

Bingo. I still have original factory alernator and starter shells in my 91 4runner. Have replaced brushes/contacts in each 3 or 4 times for less than $15.

MCCR

I'm going to call a another dealer to price out the part and labor and also Toyota. I got a $100 deductible on my wareeenty. I'm willing to pay up to another 100 to the stralership just to know I got an OEM part. Not sure why the alternator went bad at 77k miles. I've had mustangs with more miles and they didn't go out even at 100k miles.

XxGoKoUxX

I spoke to a highly spoken of shop, that does aftermarket alts (Ohio Generator), and they said the Denso's are probably the most bulletproof alts you can get....

As for your alt in particular, many factors can play a role..... too cold, too hot, snow/salt, the abuse your alt has gone through from external conditions all play a role..... Then again it could be a fluke that it's happened. I'm at 90k mi. and mine's still running strong.