I think the alternator is starting to go in my car. I put a brand new battery from Lexus back in November. The car has been acting up lately with the battery light coming on. Happened about two weeks ago, heard a strange whine from the engine bay along with the Batt light that came on which lasted maybe 5 mins. Then coming home from the Plano meet the battery light came on and was on the whole ride home. Didn't use the car at all yesterday, but started it up to check that light. It was still on. I haven't really tried looking into anything else yet. I'm pretty sure it's just the alternator.

Can anyone get a good price on a OEM or OEM quality one? thnx guys...

 

Best place is probably Sewell Parts w/ the CL discount.

$530 - Normal price for alternator assembly
$321 - ClubLexus Discount price

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...S430-2004.html

 

Alternator from Autozone is $120 w/ $25 core charge.

 

Check with Jin or Nelson if you're wanting one from lexus, otherwise just autozone it.

 

hmm, I'm just unsure about autoparts store ones. I had an issue back in the day with a SR20 alternator, kept getting bad ones. I want something reliable but not crazy expensive either. I may end up going to a parts place though, have them check both the battery and alternator too. $321 is pricey for me right now unfortunately....;(

 

Well.... today was d-day... I had to take a drug test, physical and performance test for a job that I was offered. I needed to get out there and get it done before 12:30 today. Seeing how I was busy since I got the light that came on last Tuesday. I had not driven my car since then, nor had I had time to go to autozone to get things tested or ordered.

About 5 miles out from the house the car dies. I got it into a parking lot just in time and called up my brother in law which luckily had called in sick for a trip(he's a pilot and gone alot). He was my driver for the day then. Took me to the drug stuff, then autozone and then back to the car.... Took a good 3 charges to get home. I just hope he has tools I need to do this, all of mine are in my storage unit.

I'm pretty sure it's straight forward, but does anyone have a diagram or something helpful about changing it in any 430 equiped machine? I know I can get it done, just always like having some extra reference if I can get my hands on it. Ended up getting a belt to while I'm down there changing the alternator.

William- thnx for the heads up with Autozone too

 

There's the bolt up front that you can see. Then there are 2 large bolts that go into the side of the block. There kinda hard to get to unless you got some extentions & a swivel. There a 14mm headed bolt & best to access from the bottom of the car. After that it pretty much comes out, but sometimes the cap thats on the power lead to the altinator is kinda a ***** cause there's usually some oil on it & the lead is not that long & its on the backside. Have fun LOL.

 

that was easier than easy....Less than 30 mins to get out. I spent more time running back and forth to Autozone then actually doing everything. I had them test both the battery and alternator, then fully charge the battery. Def was the alternator.

Now the engine bay is 10x cleaner than the outside than the car. lol and the car is running like a champ again!