Aust Avalon bosch alternator

[boblee]

G'day
Hope someone can help me here as am not having a lot of luck.
We have a Feb 2002 Australian Avalon v6 which is apparently based on the previous American models.
The problem is the 80 amp alternator appears to be very different with a different plug but most importantly a different regulator setup which apparently is controlled from the ECU?.
Apparently there is a retrofit alternator available (somewhere) that has to be rewired and enquiries show that there are no new ones available in the country and they are not remanufactured here yet.
Anybody else had a problem or most importantly how did you fix it.
Bob

[toyomoho]

Check the back of the alt case for various bolt studs that are labeled with one letter. These are connections to the various circuits inside. You should be able to adapt one or another alt to the wiring your have.

Have never heard of an alt being controlled by the ECU.

[boblee]

Thanks Toyomoho
I can't see why a Denso one can't be wired in place of the Bosch either but was told that the ECU controls the amount of charge with the bosch hence the huge price for them and extra electronics in regulator which no one will touch for remanufacture???
Haven't traced the wires in the car yet but the Haynes manual shows a fairly standard layout for pre Bosch, was also told separate regulators were not available either but found two new ones on ebay for $126 aus (probably chinese).
Have an alternator coming from the wreckers so hopefully that will get me out of trouble, on principle i'm not going to pay $600 for one new.
I smell a rat!
Bob

[toyomoho]

Have looked at the wiring diagram for 2002 USA Camry.

The alt has a built-in regulator.

There is a wire going to the Body ECU BUT it comes off the wiring running from the alt to the charge indicator dash light.

Are the wire colors: Black (large wire to battery -B), White (goes to Alt-S fuse-S), Yellow/Green (goes to charge indicator light AND ECU input-L) and Red/Purple (goes to Gauge fuse-IG).

Check the back of the alt case for stud terminals labeled B, S, L and IG. These terminals correspond to the wires above -B, -S, -L, etc.

The alt appears to be typically of those used in USA cars. The ECU connection again is just wire running from the charge indicter light circuit to the ECU. A Yellow/Green wire connecting to terminal 18 of the ECU. Do not see how this wiring could control alt output but could be used to monitor if the alt system is charging.

[boblee]

G'day toyomoho
Thanks for taking the time.
I now have a haymes book for 97-01 which I am told corresponds with our model but unfortunately it uses a different colour code to the car wiring and your description however I do see a wire junction for canadian models going to the daylight driving relay from the charge wire and which should be labelled A on the alternator but isn't.
The alternator only has a marking for the main feed wire to the battery which is B2 and that is a white wire not yellow, the only wire that may be marked the same is the small white wire from alt fuse s.
There are no markings on the Denso alternator sent from the wreckers by mistake and no markings on the original bosch alternator.
Will try the used Bosch alternator when it gets here as it's too late to cancel it and use the regulator I found but am pretty sure some of my original info was wrong and probably the easy way would be to just change alternators and wiring.
It was explained to me that the ecu controlled the charging of the alternator as a fuel saving measure but believe there could be some truth in thinking that the ecu may cut out some functions if the alternator stopped charging using the wire from the charge circuit mentioned above.

[toyomoho]

Well.

All alt wiring with built-in regulator is basically the same. Yes, would think you can rewire the new alt and be just fine.

You have the "S" wire.

The alt not-charging-circuit light goes to the IG2 fuse then ignition switch and AM2 fuse.

The ign wire goes to the Gauge1 fuse that receives power from the IG1 relay.

If the same on your car can pull the fuses and relays and check for power or not at the alt wire end.

I suggest you do a Google search for Bosch and Denso alt wiring. You will find a hose of wiring diagrams, terminal layouts, etc. One might be for your alt.

[csaxon]

The American Avalon has a 110 Amp alternator. Are you sure yours is only 80?

[boblee]

G'day Csaxon
Yeah ours are 80amp, don't know why but do notice the Canadian ones at least have headlights on in daylight so maybe that could be a reason to beef them up.
Ours is pretty standard in fact I rarely drive it as it's the wife's car so doesn't need much electrical power.
Wouldn't mind a bigger alternator in the Hi Lux (Tacoma) as it's only got an 80amp as well.
Just can't come to terms with them asking $600+ for an alternator but should be ok now.
This except for windscreens and altercations with Kangaroo's is all thats gone wrong in 140,000 k's so shouldn't complain, they are a fantastic car.
Thanks for the help.
Bob