2000 V6 Solara, 614,000 miles
My alternator light came on at startup today. I was out of town so I tapped on the alternator body and it began working so I just assumed the brushes were about worn down. It worked fine during the 120-mile return trip home and I just now pulled the alternator for a look.
Lots of issues. The top brush was out of alignment and has been digging into the armature. The screw I'm holding is one of two that secures the brush holder and makes electrical contact for the brush holder. This screw was very much stripped out.
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I had a run of bad luck about six years ago and my local rebuild shop said they had some problems with bad brush brackets and fast wearing brushes. I got a few warranty replacements and finally gave up and ordered a reman from my local parts store. I also had that one replaced under warranty and the one I have now was the warranty alternator. It did last 140,000 miles so I guess I got my money's worth but it clearly would have lasted a lot longer if the brush bracket had been aligned properly. The stripped screw could have been the main issue but the brush holder is plastic. I was trying to figure out what kind of alternator this is and couldn't read a thing on the worn out paper label...but peeled the worn label off and....wa la! Prior to the worn out sticker, it was Remanufactured in Mexico...perhaps in June 2018.
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This thing has apparently been rebuilt TWICE and it's in awful shape! At least it wasn't remanufactured in China.....
Does anyone rebuild their own?? Recommended parts source??
I checked Rock Auto and they appear to be out of the brushes...and don't show the armature/bearings or electronics. I may be better off getting a reman Denso from Rock Auto for about $125. Local parts store wants $170 for a no-name reman.
My alternator light came on at startup today. I was out of town so I tapped on the alternator body and it began working so I just assumed the brushes were about worn down. It worked fine during the 120-mile return trip home and I just now pulled the alternator for a look.
Lots of issues. The top brush was out of alignment and has been digging into the armature. The screw I'm holding is one of two that secures the brush holder and makes electrical contact for the brush holder. This screw was very much stripped out.
I had a run of bad luck about six years ago and my local rebuild shop said they had some problems with bad brush brackets and fast wearing brushes. I got a few warranty replacements and finally gave up and ordered a reman from my local parts store. I also had that one replaced under warranty and the one I have now was the warranty alternator. It did last 140,000 miles so I guess I got my money's worth but it clearly would have lasted a lot longer if the brush bracket had been aligned properly. The stripped screw could have been the main issue but the brush holder is plastic. I was trying to figure out what kind of alternator this is and couldn't read a thing on the worn out paper label...but peeled the worn label off and....wa la! Prior to the worn out sticker, it was Remanufactured in Mexico...perhaps in June 2018.
This thing has apparently been rebuilt TWICE and it's in awful shape! At least it wasn't remanufactured in China.....
Does anyone rebuild their own?? Recommended parts source??
I checked Rock Auto and they appear to be out of the brushes...and don't show the armature/bearings or electronics. I may be better off getting a reman Denso from Rock Auto for about $125. Local parts store wants $170 for a no-name reman.
