Alternator Longevity?

I have a 2012 TRD tow package with around 175K with the original alternator. What is the average lifespan of an OEM alternator and what is the best replacement? I'm assuming Denso. Thanks

 

It's like anything else mechanical, may go out tomorrow or may last 300k+ but they typically give some warning before they die completely.

The best thing you can do to get the maximum life out of alternators and starters is keep a good battery installed and keep the connections clean and tight.

 

I just put a new one but you can wait to get stranded and see if you have cell reception on a mountaintop.

 

You can have it tested. My 2011 with 177k tested in the low 13s, so I replaced it with a Denso unit. Mine was rebuilt by a local alternator shop to save a few $. They had one in stock and took mine as a core. Even then it felt expensive, but I was suffering from check writing fatigue at the time of replacement. Yes. I have the tow package and required the larger alternator.

 

My 2010 puked around 2 yrs ago..I want to say about 135K. Not shocking as I have an aftermarket stereo.

I bought a reman'd from Toyota as they don't make that alternator new anymore, was about $225 or so after core return. Zero issues since.

 

Dont do the Auto Zone junk unless you like changing them out often.

 

This is excellent advice. They'd sell lifetime warranties on snowballs in the summer.

OP, here is a cost effective solution that has worked for me.

1. If you're worried about getting stranded, buy a spare set of brushes. This is the likely part to suddenly fail, and it's less than $20. Watch a video about how to swap them, and carry them with your toolkit. If your alternator stops charging in the middle of nowhere, you can swap them out to keep from being stranded.

2. Next time you have the serpentine belt off for any reason, or are planning maintenence downtime, remove the OEM alternator from the truck and take it to a good motor/alternator shop. You can have it professionally rebuilt for much less than an oem core. You can discuss parts quality with the rebuilder, if you want them to use e.g. non Chinese parts. Used to be more important, I think it's a wash these days.

I had mine rebuilt around 200k miles, don't know if it was original to the truck, but it was oem and still worked. He had rebuilt units on his shelf for $100 but begrudgingly agreed to rebuild mine with specific parts for a bit more -- took a couple days. I still have the spare brushes and will hopefully never need them.

So to conclude, alternator life varies wildly, but at 175k miles it would be reasonable to proactively 'replace' it. Unless yours is heavily corroded from salted roads, the best and cheapest option is to have a local shop rebuild it with quality parts.

 

Get it rebuilt at an REAL alternator/starter rebuild shop. Do NOT buy some random rebuild.

I have a local one I have used but they exist and you get your starter back rebuilt to OEM specs, not some janky POS with the one bad part replaced and tossed right back out to someone.

 

Funny timing for this thread as I just had to replace the alt on my '15 Taco 2.7, 80 amps of pure power! It has about 145K on it.

I had a constant burning rubber smell from under the hood, near the airbox area. The serp belt looked glazed. I checked the tension indicator arrows on the tensioner it looked good so I thought that maybe the belt was just due for a replacement. When I took the belt off, I turned each accessory by hand and everything felt fine until I got to the alternator, it would barely turn 1/4 of a revolution when I flicked the pulley.

The local stealership wanted almost $500 plus a core charge. There were no rewind/rebuild shops around my area, the scrap yards had nada, so it was aftermarket time. ( cringing because I know 1st hand how horrible parts stores components are) There is a local-ish Advance Auto that's closing down and they had a Carquest re-manned alt for $25 plus the core charge. If it even lasts a year, it will be money well spent as a re-manned Toyota part is just not in the budget right now. I got a belt at Napa for $35 and did the repair 2 days ago. So far- no lights on the dash board and no more burning rubber smell.

 

It is said that these alternators stock charge closer to 13v (low) by design unless modified
Aka normal charging voltage on a stock 2nd gen alternator

a denso ordered from denso is cheaper than that

 

The alternator in my 2006 made it from new to 2020 at 78K miles.
I bought a new 130A Remy alternator from Rock Auto and no problems since.

 

Odd, my local dealer was about half that price for the part. No discounts or anything like that either...prices change yes but in less than 2 yrs to think it's doubled is wild.

I paid about $250 in all from the dealer for one rebuilt by Toyota. And can confirm re the 13 being the more normal. I've had an Ultragauge on mine for a few years and if it ever has hit 14V I can't recall. Starts around 13.5-13.7 but sits low 13s once it's warmed up regardless of temperature outside.

 

Dealers have different owners and different pricing matrixes.

 

I got a little over 228,000 mi and 17 plus years out of mine.

 

I own a 2008 Tacoma 4.0 with towing package thats at 240K miles. I replaced the alternator about one year ago, it acted up a little bit about a week before it died. I replaced mine with a new denso from advance auto, was about $200-$250.
I do not believe in doing uncalled for preventive replacement, preventive maintenance including spark plugs yes but not replacing parts that are working just fine and may run forever for all you know. Its just a rabbit hole leading to a bottomless money pit, why not replace the alternator and the AC compressor as well, while your at it do the water pump and I guess the radiator too, then you get to the throttle body and ignition coils, hey you did the AC compressor you might as well do the condensor and the evap and heater cores as well. Ohh i forgot about the thermostat as well.

Edit - sorry, got a wee bit ranty there

 

300k

 

My 2006 went out this past August with 160,000 miles

Napa had reman Densos and I was able to replace it myself in a little over an hour. Wasn't too difficult and I'm definitely not a pro at working on my truck.

 

Lasted 225k on my ‘08.
Replaced with OEM reman.

 

I had 325K on my 2013, when my original went out. Unfortunately, I opted for a Autozone special which only lasted for 50K. But, since it had a lifetime warranty, I received a new one. This one has about 50K on it now. Lets see how long this one lasts.

One thing that I did do was to get one of those voltage power plug in devices to monitor the alternator voltage to give me a heads up.

 

I replaced the original one at about 50k miles, but to be fair is got dunked in mud numerous times so I wasn't too surprised. Put an OEM reman in, but instead of returning the old one for the core I repaired it for about $30 so now I have a spare the next time it happens and I'll always have an extra one I can rebuild.