Replacing alternator brushes
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Replacing alternator brushes
The alternator in my '97 is on its way out. It's registering just a shade over 12 volts when the car is running. And I have no power steering leak that could have destroyed the alternator either. This leads me to believe that I can replace the brushes and not the whole alternator.
Has anyone done a write up on this job? I couldn't find instructions anywhere online. Honestly not even sure where (other than a dealership) to buy the brushes either.
Has anyone done a write up on this job? I couldn't find instructions anywhere online. Honestly not even sure where (other than a dealership) to buy the brushes either.
#2
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The alternator in my '97 is on its way out. It's registering just a shade over 12 volts when the car is running. And I have no power steering leak that could have destroyed the alternator either. This leads me to believe that I can replace the brushes and not the whole alternator.
Has anyone done a write up on this job? I couldn't find instructions anywhere online. Honestly not even sure where (other than a dealership) to buy the brushes either.
Has anyone done a write up on this job? I couldn't find instructions anywhere online. Honestly not even sure where (other than a dealership) to buy the brushes either.
The replacement is rather an easy job. After removing the rear cover of the alternator, unscrew 2 bolts that hold the brush holder. Then you can pick up the old one.
#3
Also consider that the slip rings that the brushes contact are also beyond their service life at this point. A little bit harder than just replacing the brushes but at this age it is almost a guarantee that they are heavily worn. If you're going to be in there already, I like to replace as much as my budget and common sense allows.
Good luck
Matt
Good luck
Matt
#4
There's more
It would be a good idea to have the alternator tested first; it could be the regulator, or the diode pack. It's easy and free. I have replaced the brushes, but they weren't really worn; it was because I had assumed that I had an alternator probably, when it was actually a battery problem. A few years later, I did have an alternator rectifier pack fail, and decided to just buy a new one, rather than spend all the time and money to completely rebuild the old one. But first, take the time to diagnose the rear issue.
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Denso alternators for UCF20/21:Toyota P/N 27060-20170, 27060-20190 use a brush holder 021620-3001(Denso's P/N). Search the Net using keywords "021620-3001" and "Denso", and you can find sellers. The brush holder contains 2 brushes and costs $10-20 depending on sellers.
The replacement is rather an easy job. After removing the rear cover of the alternator, unscrew 2 bolts that hold the brush holder. Then you can pick up the old one.
The replacement is rather an easy job. After removing the rear cover of the alternator, unscrew 2 bolts that hold the brush holder. Then you can pick up the old one.
As of this morning, I now believe my car is slightly possessed. Yesterday, while driving down the highway, the battery light on the gauge cluster started to flash on and off. Did so for a few minutes before staying on solid. That is when I tested the output of the alternator and got the 12V reading. This morning, however, I started the car and the battery light is off completely and never turned on at all during my 40-minute commute. I really hope I don't have a bad ground somewhere that will take eons to track down.
It would be a good idea to have the alternator tested first; it could be the regulator, or the diode pack. It's easy and free. I have replaced the brushes, but they weren't really worn; it was because I had assumed that I had an alternator probably, when it was actually a battery problem. A few years later, I did have an alternator rectifier pack fail, and decided to just buy a new one, rather than spend all the time and money to completely rebuild the old one. But first, take the time to diagnose the rear issue.
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