Battery light on and dead battery - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

sljorge · 03-27-2009, 03:18 AM

I think my alternator is dead. Read the following thread to see how I got here:

New Problem: Batt Light and Tail Light light both on

So my battery died the other day after 2 days of battery light. I'm sure the alternator did not like having rust-laden water/antifreeze sprayed all over it. The question now is, can the alt be saved? Can I open it up and clean it out with some good elec cleaning spray? Can I just replace the brushes? Has anyone seen this problem before?

Does anyone have a DIY for alt rebuilds? The one on this forum has lost all its pix.

bigbird · 03-27-2009, 05:19 AM

it really woundt be worth a rebuild, you can get reman ones for fairly cheap using your old one as a core. id say yes to trying to clean it with an electrical spray for the hell of it. have you replaced the battery?

sljorge · 03-27-2009, 05:50 AM

That was my first thought too. But I'm finding remanufactured alts for >$100 and used ones from junk dealers between $30-$60.

Some of the used ones look pretty scary!

And no, I have not replaced the batt. I put my 15A charger on it and ran it overnight. Indicator showed 100% in the morning, so I think its okay.

***96paseo*** · 03-27-2009, 08:38 AM

Its more common for the voltage regulator to fail than the brushes or windings. Just go with a rebuilt one. Getting a junkyard alternator may give you the same problem in the near future. If you really want to re-build the one you have, look around in your local yellow pages for a starter/alternator rebuilder. I had my paseo alternator re-built for about the same price as a brand new one ($130) but they replaced everything and even re-painted it.

Mike Gerber · 03-27-2009, 11:27 AM

"look around in your local yellow pages for a starter/alternator rebuilder"

I have to agree with 96paseo. This was going to be my advice too. I have found that the local electrical rebuild shops do a better job than the mass rebuilders that do the rebuilds for auto parts stores IMHO.

As far as the battery, I wouldn't buy a new one just yet, especially if it is not that old. Try recharging it from an outside source at a slow charge, say 1-2 amps. It may be fine after that.

Mike

flip3d · 03-27-2009, 10:51 PM

Geez. Go to AutoZone and get a rebuilt one for 100ish bucks. Lifetime warranty and they'll replace it if it dies again... and again... and yet again.

sljorge · 04-03-2009, 05:08 AM

So I went to Checker and bought an Autolight reman for $137 w/ lifetime warranty. All is well and both the tail light indicator and the batt light are out. Any ideas why they would BOTH have been on? As I indicated, no issues with tail lights. Maybe there was a short?