Alternator replacement
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Nukewastedump
Alternator replacement
Wanted to share our story since replacing the alternator does not seem to be a common event based in my forum search. 2010 rx350 awd, 155k mikes, came back from a 45 minute highway drive and when I got out of the car, can smell electrical burning smell. Coming from the passenger side engine compartment. Don’t see anything smoking, don’t hear bearing whine, but what’s on the passenger side that’s full of juice?, the alternator. Check voltage with car running, and it’s only 12.6v. Check again with headlights and fog lights and ac on, down to 12.2 v. Replace alternator, no more smell, and voltage while engine on with headlights and ac, 13.5v. Didn’t get any cel, but if I kept driving it, would have discharged the battery and all those warning lights would start popping. Hope this helps someone in case of similar symptoms.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 834
Likes: 81
From: Nukewastedump
Briefly considered finding a place to refurbish, but just trying to find a Place on the weekend that does that (and unknown work quality) vs a known shop trusted for years ( and part was immediately available), we went with reman. Book time is 4 hours, which means it would take me about 8…couldn’t afford the time off. Lots of stuff to come off to get to that alternator. It takes like 30 minutes on my gmc truck to change out alternator for comparison.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 601
From: NC
We are fortunate enough to have a well-respected alternator & starter shop in our general area that does great work using OEM kits at reasonable prices. They refurbished the Denso factory alternator on my wife's 2006 Jaguar XK8 in July 2018 when it died and if any more of our alternators conk out, I will not hesitate to pull them and take them there.
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
Likes: 16
From: BC
I replaced the alternator in my 2012 RX350 a couple of weeks ago with a refurbished one from NAPA auto parts. Vehicle has approximately 130,000 miles. The battery light had come on and a quick diagnosis with the voltage meter confirmed it was the alternator. Followed the instructions in this YouTube video, which has some great tips.
Suggest replacing the serpentine belt at the same time if it hasn't been replaced previously. The job took about 5 hours, but I wasn't in a rush and was slowed down a bit by the 82 degree heat that day.
Suggest replacing the serpentine belt at the same time if it hasn't been replaced previously. The job took about 5 hours, but I wasn't in a rush and was slowed down a bit by the 82 degree heat that day.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 601
From: NC
Thanks for posting that video, but two big thumbs down to Toyota / Lexus for such a ridiculous placement design. I have been doing most of the maintenance and repairs to all of our vehicles since the late 1970s and I have never encountered one that requires anything close to as much engine bay disassembly just to refurbish / replace an alternator.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 834
Likes: 81
From: Nukewastedump
That's the video that convinced me NOT to do it myself in 95 degree heat with 50% humidity... I had been working a power steering pump issue on my GMC full size and was completely drenched in sweat. 15 minute job took an hour.
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