Fixing bad alternator - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jcinc · 05-09-2006, 12:29 AM

I have a 91 Corolla (4AFE) and my alternator went bad. I called a repair shop and the guy told me it would cost $330 to fix it. Being the poor college student that I am, I went to Google and searched how to fix an alternator or replace one rather. I found an article or two on how to replace it. The alternator would cost me about $100 to buy and I was just wondering how hard is it to replace to alternator. I don't really have a lot of experience with fixing stuff and I could use this as a trial, but I don't wanna screw up the car anymore. Thanks for your input.

freakinbox · 05-09-2006, 01:04 AM

looks pretty easy on the 4af/4afe since it's in the front.hell I did one on a neon that is between the firewall and engine and cross members and shit UGH!
disconnect the battery first and make sure not to break the ends. Everything else other then tensioning the belt is fairly straight forward. most have 2 bolts. one for the pivot area and the other for the adjustment, some have more, just put the bolts back where you got them, don't over tighten as to strip the threads and it should be good

jcinc · 05-09-2006, 05:41 PM

how would i go about in tensioning the belt? and i was thinking about getting a new v belt too? where can i get one of those? would a dealership carry one for the 4afe model?

okiesteve · 05-09-2006, 06:38 PM

Very easy to switch old one out for a new one.

See link to AutoZone website to replace alternator. Click on Removal & Installation link at top of page. If link doesn't work, go to Engine Electrical section of Vehicle Repair Guide.

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d80169b3e.jsp

Get belt at auto parts store. Much cheaper than stealership.

jcinc · 05-09-2006, 07:07 PM

cool, nice site. thanks for the link, i'll probably try to fix it this weekend if i have time and can get a belt =/

can't find the belt in advanced auto parts or pepboys here in rochester. =(

jcinc · 05-11-2006, 02:25 PM

what brand alternators does toyota use for US 4afe ae92 corolla? delco or nippondenso? or how do i find out? i want to order a reman alternator today but i don't know which one to buy since the company charges a core price =/

***REN69*** · 05-11-2006, 05:06 PM

Not sure about your area.. but down here you can go to an Electrical motor shop and get alternators, starters or any electrical motors rebuilt, last time I got mine rebuilt it cost me $80 CDN.

jcinc · 05-11-2006, 05:12 PM

I can buy one at Advanced Auto Parts for $80USD and then they charge like $30 core fee. It comes with Lifetime Warranty. So I just have to find out which one to buy, the Delco or Nippondenso so I can get my core fee back -_-

okiesteve · 05-12-2006, 12:51 PM

Buy either one, then take the bad one back. They don't care what brand the old one is, just want something they can send back to vendor to rebuild.

***REN69*** · 05-12-2006, 03:23 PM

look at your VIN dude.. if you VIN# starts with a JT2AEXXXXXX then your car is made in Japan and therefore uses the Nippodenso.

If it starts with a number (2 I believe) instead of J then your car was made in North america (NUMMI or TMMC) which most likely means DELCRAP I mean DELCO.

jcinc · 05-12-2006, 09:03 PM

ok, i found out. its a delco. delco has external fan and nippondenso has internal fan