The past recollections I have on alternators is that the ones in my cars usually go between 100K-and 150K. Today, it gave up in the LS at 118K or 10 years.

Are any of you experiencing this too?

 

uh oh, my 1ls is at 160k. but so far its running strong still and i hope the alt doesnt die on me next.

 

Honestly, i havent seen a set range on when they usually go out... ive seen them crap out at 50k miles, and ive seen them go as long as 200k miles. The usual issue on the LS/GS is that the power steering pump leaks onto the alternator shorting it out. But have an alternator go out on its own, its not exactly common, but not hard to beleive either.

 

frankly speaking... i have expereinced alternator failures but not with a toyota\lexus...i dont want to mention the brand.. but it was a 850rwhp.. and alternator failure was due to its bad ECU programming which then had to change the alternator.. !

My Aristo (2JZGTE VVTi).. running 150k and thank God no alternator probelms what soo ever !

from my expereince...when a car is parked for a long time.. usually the alternator starts screwing up.. ( function of time ) !

my apologies got nothing more to add !

 

I usually get around 90K on my Toyota alternators. My wife's Dodge van, OTOH, got over 160K on hers.

If you have an electrical repair shop that will work on alternators you can save a bundle. The last alternator I worked with could have been replaced by Toyota for around $300 or traded in for a rebuilt at Pep Boys for $80. Instead I took it to this little repair shop downtown where they replaced the diodes for $6 plus $20 labor. I had it back the same day.

 

I was stuck so it went to the dealer...suffice to say, the wallet took a major beating. I did get to drive the ES350 for 19 miles and wife got some fruit from the lunch tray. A few ticks under 8 bills.

 

ouch... its only an hour or so worth of labor, and $300ish for an alternator...

 

I'm on the original alt so far with 130k miles. I've never had an issue with the alternator on any car i've owned. Hopefully my luck continues

 

Bought my CPO SC430 in May with 29000 miles. Alternator died at end of July mileage approx. 33000. (covered under CPO warranty)

 

I'm at 203K with my alternator, and its 14 years old... the question I have is, have any of you bought aftermarket alternators that have higher output?