OK, here it goes.

A while back I was having a few issues, basically the Brake and Battery warning light. I had thrown some belts as well.

So far installed by a local mechanic: new alternator (aftermarket from some car part store), all new belts. I also have had it back to have belts tightened.

I cleaned all he cables/connectors and replaced the 6+ year old battery today (figured it could use it anyway) and still the lights.

I took it to the dealer for kicks to get an oil change and have them look at this issue.

They told me it is 99.5% the alternator, as "aftermarket alternators tend to do this in Toyotas."

Ok, so my questions:

1. Is this true?
2. Could it just be a bad alternator?
3. Is it actually damaging anything, or are the warning lights just on because of compatibility?

Thanks for all your help. I am trying to keep this thing running for winter plowing (hey, it is almost July already).

 

Take it to autozone and have it on vehicle tested. Also, check your brake fluid level.....

 

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. No, but it means the alternator isn't charging the battery.

Get another alternator under warranty if possible, or find a used OEM unit and put some new brushes in it.

I've seen this time and time again...people swap a dead OEM unit (almost always worn brushes) for a crap remanufactured unit and have nothing but problems with them. I've got 260k on my stocker and the only thing it needed was brushes around 200k.

 

Brake & battery lights together indicate a charging problem.

 

Also, check the left rear tire....

 

And the passenger window...

 

x2....

 

With most of the reman electrical parts now being rebuilt or made new in China.

failures out of the box are quite common .

I never had near these problems to only the last few years.

Being these vehicles are pretty much all around at least 15 to 20 years old How do you know you have a stock original alternator or starter and not a rebuild with a OEM core???

Now some of the local shops did put a sticker on that was lucky to last a year.

Unless you can put brushes in your self no general auto shop will mess with them.

 

Thanks. I will go back to the shop on Monday and see what they say. I have an O'Reilly Auto in town, maybe I will take it there.

How did you guys know my windows and rear tires needed work???

 

Theres nothing lika OEM Toyota alternator.... they seem to last forever...

One in my 86 4unner is stock... very hard to believe but it is and it works just fine.... its keeping my 6 year old battery going so yea ^_^

Denso ftw