2007 Toyota Camry LE Alternator

[maverickfhs]

So a friend of mine has a 07 Camry LE(4 Cy) with ~100K and battery was on it's way out.

Yesterday battery went south and before it happened, battery light on ODO was staying on.

We replaced the battery with a new one from Costco and now battery light is staying on, indicating an issue with alternator. At idle, battery terminals are receiving ~12.xx V.

AZ said, alternator is bad and needs replacement.

Should we get it rebuild locally or just get a re-manufactured from AAP or Napa? Thanks for all the help

 

[Chris142]

Napa's rebuild stuff has gone down hill. Most shops wont even use a napa rebuild as they are a guaranteed comeback.

 

[dogememe]

Whether you buy Napa, AZ, AAP/CQ, or O'Something it's all the same junk. Buy wherever is cheapest and make sure it has lifetime warranty - you'll need it!

 

[maverickfhs]

A local guy is saying he can *possibly* rebuild it, but has to test it out on his bench which is going to take 1hr and then he can tell how much will be the charges.

Can that be a good option or just stick to re-manufactured ones from stores with a lifetime warranty?

 

[Zee09]

Have it rebuilt locally if you can

 

[dogememe]

Originally Posted by maverickfhs
A local guy is saying he can *possibly* rebuild it, but has to test it out on his bench which is going to take 1hr and then he can tell how much will be the charges.

Can that be a good option or just stick to re-manufactured ones from stores with a lifetime warranty?

Don't do that, just buy one from the parts store. Or go to the junkyard and get a used one.

 

[skyactiv]

From what I've heard, the NEW alternators made in China sold on Ebay are more reliable than re-manufactured ones.
This Ebay seller has a warehouse located in Winchester, VA
https://www.ebay.com/usr/78rocco?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

 

[StevieC]

Get an OE alternator like Denso. You don't want the junk rebuilds that most places carry.

 

[Highboy]

I just put one on a 2006 Scion tC. Got a TYC new from rockauto. No core charge. Here is one listed for your car.

 

[Trav]

Go with the Remy new if there is no local rebuilder. Bosch is a better rebuilt but its still a rebuilt, Denso is nothing special despite all the noise about them being great.
There is nothing great about them, they repack the old bearings for cripes sake in other words they replace F all if its not totally shot and a 1 yr warranty, at least Bosch puts new INA bearings and brushes in but not much else and a 2 year warranty.

OE dealer remans are not the same animal.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted by Trav
Go with the Remy new if there is no local rebuilder. Bosch is a better rebuilt but its still a rebuilt, Denso is nothing special despite all the noise about them being great.
There is nothing great about them, they repack the old bearings for cripes sake in other words they replace F all if its not totally shot and a 1 yr warranty, at least Bosch puts new INA bearings and brushes in but not much else and a 2 year warranty.

OE dealer remans are not the same animal.


How much is worth it for local rebuild in terms of money? Like maybe $50-100?

 

[maverickfhs]

Some of the local pick a pull places have them for like $25, maybe worth giving a shot?

 

[Trav]

For sure if you have one nearby. That's where these rump swabs on ebay get them and sell them for 3x the price.

 

[eljefino]

Do some diagnostics. My 2000 camry blew its 100 amp alternator fuse.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted by eljefino
Do some diagnostics. My 2000 camry blew its 100 amp alternator fuse.

Can you please elaborate? Is there a fuse inside the alternator or under the hood?

 

[Trav]

IIRC did you say AZ checked it? I assume they used their machine and not a screwdriver on the rear bearing cap.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted by Trav
IIRC did you say AZ checked it? I assume they used their machine and not a screwdriver on the rear bearing cap.

Lol, they did use a machine and connected it to battery terminals.

Not sure how it was better than multimeter ?

 

[Trav]

The machine can basically duplicate the conditions when its in the car, the machine is only as good as the knucklehead using it though like anything else.

 

[maverickfhs]

Replaced it with a one from AAP/Carquest one, will get the Oem rebuild too. In case if AAP fails.

 

[nthach]

All the parts store stuff is the same these days, just the warranty but the same cheap Chinese bearings, brushes and rectifier bridge/regulator are there. Sometimes, if the slip rings or stator are bad, dubious reconditioning.

Trav argues Denso remans are nothing special - but at least on ones where Denso did supply the OEM part, there's new brushes, rectifiers and regulators in them and new bearings from Koyo or another Japanese bearing supplier. And the parts are Denso ones and not knockoffs from WAI. But on non-Denso units, meh.