5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Antone ever had their alternator go out on a GEN 5? How miles did you have?
Hello, I have a GEN 5 4 cyl Camry with 150K+ miles on it. I have recently been evaluating whether or not it is worth keeping the car. I have been looking at prices for parts I assume will wear out (Water pump, alternator, etc). I came across a new alternator for the car that is less than 50 bucks (reman ones run from 160-330). If I keep the car it will need to last me another 3 years or until roughly 220K miles.
My thought is, since this aftermarket alternator is so cheap maybe it is it because the OEM alternators last forever. So I am posting this question on here to find out how many others have replaced their alternator due to failure and at what mileage. My pocket book thanks you!
If you have a little time do two things:
1. Pull the belt off the alternator and give it a gentle spin, feeling with your fingers for any roughness in the outer bearing. If it is bumpy then it is due for replacement.
2. Check the price of a brush set for the alternator.
Assuming you can do your own bench work, pressing out the outboard bearing and replacing it is easy as is the replacement of the carbon brushes the have a wear life. The electronics could fail at any time, but since they haven't yet they are likely to live longer than you. The bearings wear out though as do the brushes.
I once had an alternator fail at 5k miles. Bad diode. Otherwise the parts will last a long time.
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2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
Just today I am going to put on the 4th one . I replaced it about a year ago. Replaced that one about 3 yrs ago. I don't get it. At least it is easy to get to and its getting easier all the time. Oh and by the way, I have about 108k miles.
I had mine fail at 160K (2005 SE, I4) because the locking nut on the pulley came off. I did not notice it because it only let the pulley shift a little bit and start dragging on the shaft/threads. Finally, it failed and the belt came off. The threads were wasted by the contact with the pulley and the cost of a rebuild was more than a new alternator. The one they put on was refurbished. Needless to say I now check the bolt on the pulley from time to time to make sure it is still there. No idea when that thing came off or even if it was on the car when i bought it (got it used as a lease turn in at my dealer Toyota). I suspect this is a very low occurance thing, but when it happens to you, you look for it again.
My 1998 LE, I4 never had its replaced and I sold it when it hit 302K miles.
My 1998 LE, I4 never had its replaced and I sold it when it hit 302K miles.
Jeff
Thanks for the post! Looks like I may not have to worry about the alternator failing me for as long as I plan on keeping the car. Maybe I should have asked about the A/C unit, struts, and water pump in my original post as those are other items I am wondering about.
I surely wouldn't worry about the cost of the alternator totaling the car, alternators are pretty easy to fix and most parts are readily available, same with starters. I have torn them down and gone out to an alternator shop and bought the parts and rebuilt it myself. A small wrench, a phillips head, and a wooden sticked Q tip to hold the brushes until you get the armature back in.
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HotRod
'06 Tacoma DC, Super White, Leer 100R, bed mat, K&N, Weathertech liners and vent visors, TSB 4 pack springs, Ride Rite air bags, TSB Cat converter, TSB exhaust manifolds, driving light mod, repaired my compass (3 times), 162K+. '06 Camry XLE, V6, '07 Camry XLE I4.
I surely wouldn't worry about the cost of the alternator totaling the car, alternators are pretty easy to fix and most parts are readily available, same with starters. I have torn them down and gone out to an alternator shop and bought the parts and rebuilt it myself. A small wrench, a phillips head, and a wooden sticked Q tip to hold the brushes until you get the armature back in.
Not saying that an alternator would determine whether I keep the car or not . My transmission might need a overhaul so I am pricing out everything to see if I should keep the car or not. I originally saw that alternators runs $160 plus. If you add this to $2200 for a rebuilt transmission+$900 for the A/C + $800 for new catalytic converters+$500 for new struts, etc It starts to become questionable if the car is worth it. I saw the bargain price on a new alternator (again, it is only $53 delivered) and figured it might be worth buying if I could expect my stock alternator to be near the end of its life. It's looking like I shouldnt worry about it. I have had other cars before where you could assume the alternator would only last roughly 80K miles, etc. I think I will take your advice and just rebuild the alternator (or starter) myself if it goes out.
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. I replaced it about a year ago. Replaced that one about 3 yrs ago. I don't get it. At least it is easy to get to and its getting easier all the time. Oh and by the way, I have about 108k miles.
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