They other day my '86 pickup (which has always been extremely reliable) had the charge light and brake light both come on and the voltage needle jumped to the max. This lasted for about 2 minutes and then everything went back to normal. It happened once more on the way home. I checked online threads and it sounded like it could be a short in the white wire to the alternator or possibly the internal voltage regulator in the alternator. I checked the wire and couldn't find a short. After wiggling the wire I took the care for a drive and the same symptom happened once on the test drive.

I am thinking the best solution would be to buy a rebuilt alternator. I am open to rebuilding my alternator myself though if someone can point me in the direction of the best kit that INCLUDES a voltage regulator. Please let me know of said kit if it exists.

More likely I will buy a rebuilt alternator. What is the best brand? Some threads say that the typical O'riellys / Autozone alternators are crappy. I get the impression that Denso is a better brand... any advice here would be helpful. I do not need a high output alternator - just stock.

Thank you!

 

If you still live in the area where you have the local Alternator and Starter repair shop .

Take it and have it rebuilt if the time frame allows .

I gotta say pretty much all the reman electrical has been junk .as of late.

To the point I get it tested before I leave the parts store.

Lifetime Warranty is great but it is still a pain to be swapping every few weeks

 

I decided to go with a genuine Toyota part. Thanks for the help...

 

Can't go wrong with Toyota but I have had good luck with Duralast alternators on many different vehicles. They tend to last and have good warranty from auto zone. If cost is not a issue then Toyota is the way to go.

 

You must be far enough away that a different vendor did yours.

I weekend I went though every 3.4 alternator in the 5 closest stores to me and just gave up.

Testing each in house

 

Good decision on OEM.
Care to share with us where you bought yours? TIA

 

Last year I bought a Toyota rebuilt alternator as well. It looks exactly like the old one and I believe it could last another 31 years. I don't regret the decision at all.

 

I have gotten rebuilt Denso alternators and they came from Mexico. I had to take a part store rebuilt Denso and used it to fix my failing alternator. I take mine to a local starter and alternator repair shop and they can upgrade them with a higher out put as well if needed. The local shops are getting harder to find but are still out there.