So I found out I need a new alternator, it is only putting out about 11v when charging. The vehicle has nearly 170,000 miles on it so it is probably due for a change. My dilemma is I could do it my self, but should I buy an alternator from amazon , autozone, or have my mechanic do the work?

 

I always opt to do myself but that is me. You may be able to just by the brushes for it and swap yourself if you are handy.

Look at Amazon, ebay and Rock Auto for alternator. Some may request your core where you buy theirs and have to send your old one back to them.

 

If you do DIY..I'd get it from autozone (easier for warranty replacement) haha....

 

I wasn't sure, I've used Autozone in years past for parts. And all the ones I saw on amazon were refurbs mostly anyway, and about 75 dollars more than Autozone. The replacement looks pretty straight foward cause it is right in front, maybe take an hour or so with even a few minutes of incidentals that go along with do it yourself auto repairs.

 

My $0.02:

If you have the time, and if there's a reputable automobile electric rebuilder in your town, consider taking alternator into shop. I had a Denso alternator with 250K that shop replaced brushes and tested to ensure output for ~$15-20 while I waited (I did have to wait while tech finished up truck starter). Had expert opinion on bearings and didn't have to worry about wrong pulley, etc. YMMV.

 

Yeah, I don't have time to wait around and hope a shop gets it rebuilt, then put it back in

 

Check out what's needed to remove the alternator, mine on a 2007 RX-350 required removal of the radiator and evacuation and refilling of the air conditioning freon. It books 2.5 hrs time and is a BIG job. Nobody on this forum could explain the job before I had it done! Good Luck

 

NO! I have three same 2007 RX350
You do NOT have to remove the radiator for that model. Just the fan. Further, I did not remove the pulley or thermostat either.
I did utilize a serpentine belt bar I already owned to remedy tension then tied it off with as much slack as I could get in the belt. They aren't from the DIY parts stores.

Also I undid the wiring harness track to get those out of the way a lil more

 

This X 2........I also bench tested the replacement 3 times before installing it....Turned out to be the regulator.....

 

The voltage regulator on the alternator?
Did you use plotting voltmeter? I think it's better to go to the store to get the ripple current and the such

 

All the electronic voltage regulators are internal IIRC for the last 35-40 yrs now....On all my 60's cars, '67 goat, '67 GTA Fairlane, '69 Mach, I've swapped out the points regulators for electronic ones as well.........So its either the brushes, armature wire, diodes or the voltage regulator....The diodes hardly ever go out.....For me, The alternator light came on & it wasn't overheating, so that told me, I need to replace the alternator.....went to the autoparts store, grab a new one out of the box & bench tested it 3 times, good to go.....btw the oem one tested w/ a bad regulator.......

 

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