If anyone is in the market for an alternator, Advance Auto Parts sells a "Worldwide 12026" rebuilt alternator for $233.99 ($24 core) which they claim is compatible with the SC430.

Advance Auto Parts also performs a free check of the battery, alternator, and starter using this big piece of equipment they drag out to your car.

The strange part is when they checked mine, it read 14.10 volts under no load and 13.90 volts under load... which they told me is strange because the numbers are supposed to be reversed (higher under load), but in the end the test machine read "alternator status good" which is confusing. If anyone has any thoughts, please share.

Thank you

 

13.7V is by-the-book a "perfectly running" Lexus ASE Certified standard. I know because I just went through this with mine two weeks ago. The guy working on my car was a master technician at a prominent lexus dealer.

If you don't have any charging, starting or other issues-don't mess with it.

I'd put little stock into Advance Auto Parts diagnosis. They are good for filters, batteries, belts, plugs and misc bulbs...but I wouldn't trust my Lexus with diagnosing a charging/starting problem if you have one.

If it's good, leave it alone.

 

...so were you having a charging issue or what made you have it tested ???

 

I am not having any charging or starting issues that I know of, the only reason I had the diagnosis done was because the previous owner mentioned 'you might want to look into the alternator if you start having issues' after I bought the car (I am not having any issues 3 months later).

 

anyone out there can help - how to remove an alternator on a 2002 sc430 ? Appreciate any suggestion thx.

 

I have not done the alternator on mine yet, so I can't give you a step by step.

First use the search function on this site to see if you can find a DIY write up.
Then try the web as the same 4.3L engine is used on other Toyota products.

Finally, if you come up dry PM me with your email address and I will send you a procedure out of the factory manual. (As it is copyrighted I will not send it in the open).