winter4w

Car Info 1996 Lexus LS500 with 157K miles

So I think my alternator is bad but just wanted to see what you guys think.

So for a while and by a while I mean months I noticed my headlights would dim or flicker when I press the brake pedal or roll the power windows up/down. I did get a new battery at the time since the old one died but still had the light flicker issue. I went to check the voltage when the car is running and it showed 13-14v if I recall. I went online and people seem to post that it was normal and that the car is just old. I also noticed on very rare occasions when I turned my high beams on the music on my radio would stop for a split second or two with a pop sound and some static and then would resume.

Fast forward to 3 days ago I noticed on my way home my dash lights seemed a bit dim than normal. I got home and in my driveway, I just started to mess around to see if I could see what was going on. I turned on my headlights and nothing happened. I turned on my high beams and heard the pop noise in the radio. Then when I had my headlights on and pressed the brake pedal the battery discharge light came on. Once I let off the break the light went out. Later that night I went to test the voltage when the car was on and it was showing 11-12v when I know it should be much higher than that. I took it for a drive and every time I pressed the brake pedal the discharge light turned on. Shortly after it started to stay on and would turn off if I turned off my headlights, AC and radio. The next day even with the headlights, AC, and radio off it started to turn on only when I pressed the break. When I got to the mall to do some shopping the light remained on longer, however, would go off and on random occasions. When I finished shopping and went to start the car it started as if it was nearing the point to need a jump start. When I got home I noticed as I pulled in the garage the ABS light came on then went off along with the discharge light staying on. So is this a bad alternator?

I did read about people saying a power steering leak can destroy the alternator however my power steering leak was a year or two ago and got fixed the next if not the following day.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Sounds like the alternator has gone on vacation. I had similar the other day in the Corolla. Checking the voltage when the engine running it was 11.2V, engine off it was reading 12.4V.

deanshark

Yea that alternator is shot. Not gonna last much more. If you're still gonna drive it I would charge the battery when you're not driving it until you do replace the alt. Most of the time they go bad cuz of the PS fluid but they do go bad for other reasons also.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

+1 on recharging the battery before driving it with the fresh alternator. Varying thoughts on how well the alternator handles a deeply discharged battery. None of the batteries that I've had that have been deeply discharged lasted their term. Have had two failed alternators so when that occurs, I get the car towed. The Corolla had to make 2 miles home so that was doable.

spuds

+2 on recharging the battery before driving it with the fresh alternator.

winter4w

Sorry for not replying but got a new alternator and everything seems fine. I took it to the shop due to me needing the car asap for finals week lol (If only it could of went a week later). Other than that it does seem like an easy repair to do yourself. Also, I believe my battery did get recharged again however it is still under warranty so if something happens I will just get another replacement.

Thanks!!!!