Landcriser 100 series alternator failure

Charles

In 2005 I bought a new JEEP CRD Cherokee which within the warranty period developed a noise (bearing) in the alternator.

JEEP without a peep replaced the Alternator and serpentine belt within an hour whilst I waited.

Now get this. The warranted cost of the Alternator was AUD$1350.00 and the belt AUD$65.00. I didn't pay anything for all of the above, however the bureaucratic documentation of Chrysler USA at that time meant that the whole episode was 'booked on paper' as the real thing.

Talking to the tech afterwards I mentioned that if it had happened out of warranty I would have pulled it off myself (3 x 5 minute bolts) taken it to the Autolec I have used for the past 25 years, and used the same belt.

Now this is the punchline - the Techo said, thats exactly what he would have done.

I just purchased a spare Denso Rectifier/Diode Kit for a 400amp alternator on my 75 Series, and it cost the enormous amount of US$65.00. Other than the bearings, this is the other piece of gear that usually 'goes' in an alternator.

It will be interesting to see what TOYOTA detail their costings as.

DD

If you were driving the vehicle and the voltage was getting to the critical low point and it then stopped you will definitely NOT need a battery replacement unless Toyota didn't charge it and left it flat. If they left it flat, then they have caused the failure of the battery not your alternator.
If it happened like you said then the battery wasn't real flat and would be quite OK when recharged.
A battery flattened like this will immediately recover if charged and I would be prepared to use it again no worries. Was the battery near new? If near new even more reason to reuse it.
Make sure you get the old battery, it's yours remember, if they pressure you into buying a new one unnecessarily. You can use it as a dual battery or in a caravan or something.
Don't give it to them whatever you do, give it to a deserving member of the 4wd community. They will appreciate it.
The Toyota dealer will definitely recharge it and put it into one of their used vehicles at your expense. No, can't believe that! That would never happen would it.

Because of what you said happened, it will either be the regulator/brushes or the diode pack in the alternator neither of these requires the purchase of a new alternator. My bet is brushes first, about $8 then regulator $60+ plus fitting/labour.

An auto elec can repair it quite quickly and at about 1/3 to 1/2 of the price. and would recharge your battery for nothing.
Make sure you get the old alt and have it repaired as a spare.
After all you do own it.
If you can't fit it when needed later someone else is then able to help you or you may need to sell it to some one else down the track.

If you want to help your alternator supply it with air via an old vacuum cleaner hose catching cool air from beside the radiator and feed the exit air into the back of the alternator, Couple of small brackets required. This will assist cooling of the alternator and prolong its life particularly if the fault was a heat failure of the regulator.
All the best

Ross M A grade Automotive engineer

Charles - my ghast will be truly flabbered if your $ account is as low as the figures you mention - prepare for a shock !

Hi Charles3
I have personally experienced similar symptoms to you with my 100 series TD in October 2010, and the diagonises was that the alternator rectifier and stator had failed. I obtained a brand new after market alternator from a local auto elec for $395.00, athte same time I obtained a price from Repco for about the $450.00 mark. Do not pay Toyota prices if you can get similar parts emswhere. Remember that Toyota DO NOT build their own electrical parts, but they purchase from outside suppliers (who may also be making the replacement parts under a different brand name).

As far as the battery is concerned it is most unlikely that it has suffered any major damage and with a recharge would provide satisfactory service for the remainder of its expected life, as long as it is recharged promptly. Unless you have changed the original configuration of the battery system in your vehicle there should be 2 batteries fitted in parallel.

Hope this helps

Athol W. "a" grade motor mechanic (retired)

There is a lesson here.

Like other motion parts, alternators do not last forever and need regular service. But are rarely included in the routine maintenance schedule.

If you are touring to remote places a failed alternator can really wreck both your holiday and your wallet. Yet simple maintenance can avoid that. At maybe 50,000k the alternator should be removed and serviced by an auto electrician. Probably replace bearings, brushes and the belt as they cost little.

Diodes are another matter. They can last forever or fail soon after new. No point in replacing them or the regulator.

It is cheap insurance, as one day it WILL fail.

Most likely cause of failure is worn brushes - I replaced a set on an identical alternator last week - cost $35 for the brushes from Toyota and 1 hour labour. I've had an internal regulator fail before and that would probably be a $200 item now.

I hate the way nobody repairs alternators any more.

BTW, Toyota also stock "factory remanufactured" alternators at about half new price.

Cheers
phil

I would have found a local auto electrician, he would charge the battery, it will be fine if only 6 months old... and he maybe would repair the alternator if it is repairable for a total cost of around $250..... Thats what i would expect. Dont be screwed by the Toyota guys.... Always remember, the local dealer is not on your side.. MIchael