Step by step DIY Alternator Replacement

Great write up, just got done doing mine.

 

Did mine a few months ago. Thanks for this write up.

 

I'm on my original alt; 2009 with 168k. Is there any way to know before they go?

Should I just go ahead and replace it preemptively?

 

I replaced mine, 2 weeks later killed my belt. It sure looked aligned up. Damn it.

 

my battery light in the dash started to flicker, it's what prompted me to do a google search and presto, found what I was looking for.

 

If like me you've got a TRD blower on your truck, be prepared for a few more steps, more hassle getting bolts out and then back in, Lone Ranger navigating the belt tensioner behind the sc belt tensioner, wondering actually hth does that frikken alternator actually come up out of there and a fair amount of swear words accompanying all the extra items just mentioned...

 

Hardest pull job ever, org alternator 231k 05 taco

 

On the picture you had of items you’ll be left with you failed to show the bloody hands and the bar of soap used to wash your mouth out from all the swear words uttered.
I know. I did one several months ago. I used a full bar!

 

Funny thing, aftermarket park slipped right in. Think hot dog in a hallway

 

Are you talking honeymoon night or this alternator gig? The new one definitely went in easier then the old one came out but hot dog in a hallway???? Nada.

 

Great write up! Plan on doing mine tomorrow, idling 11.1 - 11.5 volts, replaced battery last year so I knew this was coming.

 

A couple of hours anyway...not counting the apologizing for swearing when the alternator won't come out or when you bloody your hands getting it out...and then repeat the process putting it back in.
Add another hour for the swearing and apologizing...

If you don't have a supercharger and the accompanying brackets getting in the way at least an hour less?

 

This is a great vid. I did my alt change about 5 yrs ago, and then just did it again today. needed a refresher course and came back to this thread. Great thread. and here is a video which shows the alternator coming out of the engine bay. It's pretty stiff, and it will jam up against the wheel well and the oil filter flange, but you just gotta wiggle it as much as you can and then PULL. it will scrape and you will see the actual engine flex away. but it WILL come out just the way the video shows it.
https://youtu.be/Q9iIucCk0So

 

This thread saved me on my way out camping Friday afternoon/evening. Truck ended up dead on the south end of Everett, WA. And of course I left all my tools at home. But thanks to this write up, I knew exactly what to pick up at a nearby autozone. Me and a buddy got it swapped relatively easily in a Shell Station parking lot. TacomaWorld for the save!

 

Anyone know the size of the bolt for the pulley? Going to change that to the NST one this afternoon. (assuming I got the right one) Save me 5 minutes of checking socket sizes, please.

 

Not with 100 percent accuracy. It helps to put a 12 volt meter in your power socket to monitor voltage output. When engine is running, voltage output should be 13.5 to 14 volts. Not running the output should ideally be 12.6, but will drop quickly when any power is drawn, like interior light comes on, or move key to 'on' position. Voltage can drop to about 12.3; this is normal as long as it starts at 12.5 or 12.6.

 

Great write up. My tacoma developed a whistle about a year ago that I couldn't figure out the cause to. Ended up replacing the pulleys but the high pitch whine/whistle remained. It never caused an issue for that year so I just dealt with it. Just recently my truck wouldn't start so I jumped it and tested the voltage. Was only pulling like 11.8v so I went ahead and replaced the alternator. No more whine and it's running great again!

 

save

 

Hey OP, I used this post to replace my dead alternator in the work parking lot yesterday, much thanks!

 

I did this not too long ago. Great guide