Alternator!!!

[JMSinMD]

How do you know when you need a new alternator? I was told mine in is running 13.2V & 40 A. I don't have an upgraded system and the only thing recently is it has been in the high 90's and the air has been on. The car is a 1999 Camry V6. Are there any signs or anything definitive? My dealership is willing to charge me labor of 1 hour ($90) and let me bring in my own which I picked up a Duralast from Advanced Auto with a lifetime warranty for $140. Please advise. Thanks. Jon.

[atobe]

get a volt meter your batt should be around 14.5v with the car on...but 13v it's still charging but not as much.... you can change it yourself it's probbly fairly simple in your car.. i mean i'm guessing i changed mine by myself took me like 15 mins

[Eye8Pussies]

if they do a load test and it's only putting out 40amps, then it's worth replacing- especially if you have audio....


and why would you go to the dealership to get it installed? I always thought you did all the work on your car yourself...

[Mike Gerber]

"and why would you go to the dealership to get it installed?"

Agreed. This is one of the easiest things the DIY'r can do. Just remember to disconnect the negative battery cable first.

Mike

[Delay_FTB]

A stock alt. on a 99 V6 puts out 80 amps. If yours is doing 40, then you've got some problems...

Aside from removing the neg. batt. terminal, its pretty much a plug and play sort of thing (aside from any bolts and whatnot).

[JMSinMD]

I took it to a few places to test and everyones test showed alternator was running fine but battery needed to be replaced. Im going tomorrow and having it replaced under Toyota warranty. I wouldn't do it myself because my alternator belts also runs my supercharger and the alternator is bolted into some supercharger bracket, etc. Jon.