Hey y'all, so last night and this morning my car hesitated to start up and I went to oreillys to check out my battery, and my battery was fine but they said "The regulator on my alternator" is bad. Now I haven't done any research yet into that at all and I'm looking at RockAuto prices of new alternators being a full $100 cheaper than oreillys.

But my question is: is it possible to replace a small part of an alternator than a full new unit, or is it even worth it if it is possible? Also if I do buy a new unit, is remanufactured bad and I need new or it doesn't matter? And what is a good brand to buy from RockAuto?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...generator,2412

Also side note: how do I tell what sized pully is on my car? and why are there multiple sizes for the same model car?

Oreillys quoted me like $240 on the low end for a alternator and RockAuto's highest one is $200. Now I can spend that amount if needed but if I can get a remanufactured for $80 and still have it work for another 5-10 something years, I would be a lot happier about it.

 

Based off my research so far, its not worth it to repair a alternator, so nevermind on that.
Apparently Remy brand is a good reputable remanufacturer, and this is a good part for me. (If the current one is indeed clockwise rotation and close to 90-120 amps or something like that).
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...t=2412&jsn=546 (Also dang that core charge is almost the price of the unit itself, sheesh)

But I should maybe also replace the belt as well and check the tensioner? It sounds like that could be part of the issue. Right now as of several months ago, my belt started squeaking for about 10-20 seconds on a cold start before going quiet, but that has been doing that for ages and I only noticed a hesitation last night so I don't think its the belt not powering the alternator properly.

I bought this car back in 2020 from a previous owner who said she took good care of it at a mechanics shop, so I do not know how old the belt is. Does anyone know if there is a date on the belt or something like that?

 

You can measure the pulley with a tape measure or ruler. Lexus catalog only shows a difference in amperage - there is an early and a late '99 depending on production date.

Getting internal parts isn't really a thing anymore.

With remans, you get what you pay for - stay with the brands the oems use if possible. We used to make jokes about lifetime warranties on cheap reman parts - it has a lifetime warranty because it needs it.
(My kid put 3 autozone alternators on his 65 ford before I bought him a good one - and those alternators don't come much simpler)


A lexus reman alt is about $217.

 

There is no date code, that I am aware of, on belts. You have to look at and listen to them. They are at least 5 years old - replacing it would be cheap insurance.

There is no tensioner - the belts are adjusted by adjusting the alternator or power steering pump.

 

Cool, thanks for that info, I will go ahead and replace the belt as well.

 

Remy is okay, but in this application, Denso offers the best remanufactured alternators. Well worth the extra money as basically they're reconditioned to Toyota specs.

 

Yea I would prefer to have a Denso myself, but I can't find any online... I think Remy and Bosch are both good options right?
If you can find a denso alternator for my car I would gladly take a link lol. I don't see anything on eBay, Auto Rock or Parks Geek.

Edit: well I found one on amazon reman'd but it's more expensive than a brand new one from Lexus themselves so...

 

How are your DIY skills?

I rebuilt my alternator with diode board, voltage regulator and brushes. I posted it in the DIY sticky thread. Lexus/Toyota sells them.

Removing the alternator requires a bit of know how due to the tensioning bolt. The same applies for installation.

Salim

 

I would also suggest getting a Krikit belt tensioning gauge of the appropriate range. It helps immensely.

As for the price - yeah, when I replaced mine earlier this year, Lexus wanted twice as much as the Denso one off Amazon.

 

I could probably get it out and put in a new one, but I doubt I could successfully rebuild my current one.

So are we saying it's probably worth it to spend $280 on a factory Lexus one or Denso which is the same price, over 80-150$ for a remanufactured one from something like Bosch or Remy?

 

You don't say what year your car is and if you have the tow package, but here's an example. Alternator from a dealer is not expensive
https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsda...-0A130-84.html

Make sure you get the -84 part this means manufactured by Denso for Toyota.

 

I have a 99 rx300, it does not have a tow package

I have the money to buy a $200-$300 alternator, but I am a college student and that is almost 1/2 of one of my paychecks so I would like to not spend that much if possible.
But what I am seeing is from Lexus, it is $282. https://parts.lexus.com/p/Lexus_1999...602014084.html

(Also how do I do the signature thing and put my car in there) nevermind I found it

 

Since you are on a budget consider:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=2412&jsn=1098

They used to be called BBB industries, I have an alternator by this brand it's been working perfectly for two years. Sample size of 1 but passing it along just the same.

5% off Rockauto code
https://www.toyotanation.com/threads...360084/page-27

 

"A lexus reman alt is about $217."

 

I shared what I did and pretty sure it was a good decision over buying a reman, just because I know I put quality parts.
Keep in mind, my issue was really with the diodes. Brushes could have been reused, but the regulator was surely stressed and I did not want to go halfway.

As fart as the rebuild is concerned, I had no issues with bearings and the windings [both stator and rotor]. Rebuild for me was essentially phillips screwdriver. Complexity level for removing the alternator and installing was 3/5 [Really is 2/5 but understanding of the sequence of nut + bolt undoing while removal and securing during instal]. There are locking nuts and fulcrum nut/bolts. You mess the sequence and you will destroy the zinc tensioner bolt ... how do I know ... experience. Since I am OCD about doing things right (not winging it), I had to procure belt tensioner gauge. There are specs about new belt and used [few minutes vs few minutes of use --> implies OEM belt].

The risk with DIY is no warranty.

Salim