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Help, my alternator went out after a day of mudding

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Von Himmel, Jul 9, 2012.

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  1. Jul 9, 2012 at 2:48 PM
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    Von Himmel

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    Von Himmel [OP] Active Member

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    I went off roading pretty hard in my stock 01 TRD SR5 and my battery light went out. I replaces the alternator with a used one and hit the puddles again, and it went out again. Should I replace it and stay out of the mud or... what?
     
    Von Himmel, Jul 9, 2012
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  2. Jul 9, 2012 at 2:51 PM
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    95 taco

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    95 taco Battle Born

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    welcome to tacoma world. i have no idea but someone should stop by soon and tell you.
     
    95 taco, Jul 9, 2012
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  3. Jul 9, 2012 at 3:10 PM
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    Von Himmel

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    Von Himmel [OP] Active Member

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    I have all of my stock splash guards in place, The engine bay is coated though. Does anyone make a shroud to keep it clean and dry?
     
    Von Himmel, Jul 9, 2012
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  4. Jul 9, 2012 at 3:13 PM
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    donaldwagner

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    donaldwagner -Don-

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    mudding takes its toll on vehicles, do you have a warranty on that alternator? check your battery relay/fuse also. Autozone or Advanced can check your alternator for you, dont tell them it's because of mudding. And when if you buy one from them it comes warrantied so next one is free
     
    donaldwagner, Jul 9, 2012
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  5. Jul 9, 2012 at 3:44 PM
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    tan4x4

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    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, when muddy water gets into a motor or alternator, it can ruin it.
    Stay away from mud, if you don't want the expense. You may be able to fix it by taking it apart, and cleaning it. (Toyota OEM alternators are expensive).

    Its too bad that Toyota designers decided to mount the alternators down low, instead of up high. Makes them very vulnerable during water crossings and mudding. Mudding is fun, but not worth it, if it costs over $300 when (and if) you get home.
     
    tan4x4, Jul 9, 2012
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  6. Jul 9, 2012 at 5:49 PM
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    Von Himmel

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    Von Himmel [OP] Active Member

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    How does one clean an alternator? I ve ead that you can bring the vehicle to a DYI car wash and use the pressure washer, true?
     
    Von Himmel, Jul 9, 2012
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  7. Jul 9, 2012 at 5:50 PM
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    Von Himmel

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    Von Himmel [OP] Active Member

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    How does one clean an alternator? I ve ead that you can bring the vehicle to a DYI car wash and use the pressure washer, true?
     
    Von Himmel, Jul 9, 2012
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  8. Jul 9, 2012 at 6:05 PM
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    extremepaint

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    extremepaint Well-Known Member

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    Its pretty simple pull off the end cap amd clean the brushes u can pull it down evene farther and clean the bearings and armature but most of the time its just the brushes get stuck with a little bit of grit. U can use a small amount of grease on the side of the copper brush to keep them from sticking so quick. Ur old alternator is probally fine . Clean it test it and resell it if it didnt get used as a core. Also ne carefull with the ceramic endcap its pretty fragile. Should take u more than 15 min once u have it out
     
    extremepaint, Jul 9, 2012
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  9. Jul 9, 2012 at 6:08 PM
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    Steves104x4

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    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

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    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    You're sure its the alternator? Check all the body grounding points; 9x out of 10 a ground is corroded off somewhere. Also, 5 year batteries generally last about 5 years.
     
    Steves104x4, Jul 9, 2012
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  10. Jul 9, 2012 at 7:12 PM
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    Von Himmel

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    Von Himmel [OP] Active Member

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    I am pretty sure its the alt, I took it to Les Schwabs and they tested it and said it wasnt putting out any charge at all
     
    Von Himmel, Jul 9, 2012
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  11. Jul 9, 2012 at 7:13 PM
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    Von Himmel

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    Von Himmel [OP] Active Member

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    I hate to sound like a noob, but will this tear down require any special tools? Any special cleaning agents involved?
     
    Von Himmel, Jul 9, 2012
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  12. Jul 9, 2012 at 7:15 PM
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    Steves104x4

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    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

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    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    If its dead you'll need a rebuild kit; I don't think cleaning it will help. I'd get a rebuilt alternator from PEP Boys or someone reputable. Don't dick with it. At the end of the day it's not worth it. $128.99 at Pep Boys.
     
    Steves104x4, Jul 9, 2012
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  13. Jul 10, 2012 at 12:36 PM
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    Von Himmel

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    Von Himmel [OP] Active Member

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    Problem solved, I guess I just had to pressure wash it out
     
    Von Himmel, Jul 10, 2012
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  14. Jul 10, 2012 at 1:46 PM
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    extremepaint

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    extremepaint Well-Known Member

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    Im pretty sure its a small hex head and some phillips to pull the end cap and clean the brushes. Ive done it 2-3 times its easy stuff and saves u a load of money
     
    extremepaint, Jul 10, 2012
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  15. Jul 10, 2012 at 9:28 PM
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    tan4x4

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    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    So .... you took it to a car wash and pressure washed the alt? This fixed it?
     
    tan4x4, Jul 10, 2012
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  16. Jul 11, 2012 at 8:38 AM
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    x2468

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    x2468 Well-Known Member

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    x2468, Jul 11, 2012
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  17. Jul 11, 2012 at 11:26 AM
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    extremepaint

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    extremepaint Well-Known Member

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    When ever working on any electrical components its best to disconnect the battery. The electronics parts washer will be fine. Its the same thing as servicing an r/c body car motor. Take it apart clean it lube the obvious things and youll be good to go. Just make sure your brushes are making contact with the commutator and the copper is clean and shiny.
     
    extremepaint, Jul 11, 2012
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  18. Jul 11, 2012 at 11:37 AM
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    HBMurphy

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    HBMurphy Ban Pending

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    You mudder guys need to install water cooled alternators!

    [​IMG]
     
    HBMurphy, Jul 11, 2012
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  19. Jul 11, 2012 at 11:38 AM
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    Stubbs95tacoma

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    Stubbs95tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Link.... Link now please
     
    Stubbs95tacoma, Jul 11, 2012
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  20. Jul 11, 2012 at 12:01 PM
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    HBMurphy

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    HBMurphy, Jul 11, 2012
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