Alternator??? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Poser · 02-15-2009, 10:34 AM

My wife started her gen4 4cyl camry this morning, no problem. She got about a half a block before she said the dash lights all flickered on and she lost engine power. There is power to all of the accessories (radio, lamps, dash indicators etc...) and it when you turn the key it sounds like the starter is engaging but the engine wont kick over.

It feels like an alternator issue, so I am going to take it to an autozone and get it bench tested. But I was wondering if you guys have some other thoughts as to what it could be...since I am stuck at work until 3 and wont be able to do anything until then,

Thanks.

***Knailgun*** · 02-15-2009, 10:37 AM

I think you're right about the alternator....

sounds like it had enough with the battery to drive it til then.
Also, for arguments sake, check the battery terminals too

***ASG14*** · 02-15-2009, 11:08 AM

^ Yup, I'd agree with knail. Check the battery terminals for corrosion and tightness 1st. then next guess is the Alt.

Poser · 02-15-2009, 12:50 PM

Terminals and connections are all clean, tight and non-corroded. I replaced the bat cables about a month ago.

EDIT: and thanks for the feedback guys.

EDIT2: Any suggestions on best place to purchase the brush inside of generator. I am going to take apart the housing and see if the brush is excessively worn. Also, how is it that the voltage regulator is only 1$ cheaper for a reman'd alternator?

Hajoca · 02-15-2009, 03:37 PM

Response to Edit2

The replacement parts kit is sold with high mark up because not many people, including garage mechanics want to spend the time to do the work.

Re-manufacturing factory buys the 'cores' and replacement parts like new regulators, bearings, brushes, etc. in bulk and use specialized tools to make the job much faster, and cheaper than you can as a DIY.

Hajoca · 02-15-2009, 03:37 PM

Do you have a battery charger? charge the dead battery right away!

Poser · 02-15-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hajoca

Do you have a battery charger? charge the dead battery right away!

Nope, no bat charger

I see. The brush I found for 28.99 & volt reg for 138.99. The remand'd generator is 139.99 *(after core deducted).

I am better of just replacing the whole alternator if it is bad then, right?

Thanks

Mike Gerber · 02-15-2009, 05:51 PM

IMHO you are better off looking an auto electrical rebuilder in your area (check the yellow pages) and taking your alternator to that shop for a rebuild; especially if it is the original Denso alternator that the car came with. In my experience, these people tend to do a better job than the bulk rebuilders and usually charge about the same price.

Mike

Poser · 02-15-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

IMHO you are better off looking an auto electrical rebuilder in your area (check the yellow pages) and taking your alternator to that shop for a rebuild; especially if it is the original Denso alternator that the car came with. In my experience, these people tend to do a better job than the bulk rebuilders and usually charge about the same price.

Mike

Not the original, but I get ya. Alternator was bad, bought the reman'd...popped it in (after a bench test at Advance) and still getting the same problem. All electrical responds, lamps radio and dash... engine spins, the alt but no start. Thoughts???

EDIT: Replaced Battery with Fresh Battery... still no go. Could it be a bad igniter?

***Knailgun*** · 02-15-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poser

Not the original, but I get ya. Alternator was bad, bought the reman'd...popped it in (after a bench test at Advance) and still getting the same problem. All electrical responds, lamps radio and dash... engine spins, the alt but no start. Thoughts???

EDIT: Replaced Battery with Fresh Battery... still no go. Could it be a bad igniter?

check the fuses....possibly the igniter.

I am leaning toward distributor/ plug wires

finfinder · 02-15-2009, 08:21 PM

When was your last timing belt replacement ?

Poser · 02-15-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knailgun

check the fuses....possibly the igniter.

I am leaning toward distributor/ plug wires

that is a possibility... the plugs are relatively new, but the distributor has not been replaced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by finfinder

When was your last timing belt replacement ?

About 38k ago.

I am grasping at straws... but if the tension on the drivebelt is too high, would that prevent the engine from turning over?

Mike Gerber · 02-16-2009, 01:56 PM

"it sounds like the starter is engaging"

"would that prevent the engine from turning over?"

These 2 terms generally mean the same thing. They both mean the act of the starter spinning over the engine. It can also be called cranking. Is the starter turning (spinning over the engine) or not?

Mike

sr5punk · 02-16-2009, 02:47 PM

chances are the battery is drained from the alternator going out. replace that and look into replacing the wires and cap. after that, and it still doesnt move, then I would say start looking at major items.

Poser · 02-16-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

"it sounds like the starter is engaging"

"would that prevent the engine from turning over?"

These 2 terms generally mean the same thing. They both mean the act of the starter spinning over the engine. It can also be called cranking. Is the starter turning (spinning over the engine) or not?

Mike

Sorry. Yes the car is cranking. You can also see the drivebelt moving as well. I am going to check all fuses again. I can imagine one or two plug wires being bad, but all four going at the same time seems far fetched. Could one bad wire prevent the engine from starting?