Avensis T25 (1CD-FTV) Alternator change.

[SJM242]

Hello everyone!

Avensis 2005 T3X Saloon. D4D diesel engine. Timing belt engine, not later chain type.

Would welcome any thoughts on changing the alternator on this model. It looks quite a job as the alternator is at the top back of the engine. I'm told that the OS drive shaft has to be removed to get the old unit out. I've been quoted £390.00 inc vat for an exchange unit to be fitted, with a years warranty on the whole job.

If I get the old alternator removed, I think that maybe the clutch pulley (if fitted) may be slipping, or the switching transistor may be open circuit in the control of the alternator itself. The car has done 90Kmiles since new. It's not draining the Battery, and the car seems OK in every other respect. The Battery was changed 3 years ago and the car starts instantly hot or cold.

A couple of garages were wary of me paying them for a 'removal and re-fit' of a serviced or exchange unit that I can get from a local alternator/starter motor specialist. The reason being that if the replacement failed, I'd end up paying again for the replacement unit to be removed and re-fitted again - which seems to make sense.

To me this seems a fair old bit of money for an alternator change, but it is awkward to get to!

When it failed it was instant, just an odd noise from the engine bay when I restarted the engine when warm, the charge light came on along with the fuel filter light and the amber oil top up light. These were both off before the alternator failed.

Perhaps it's just me moaning about costs as the last alternator I fixed was in a Cortina MK5, I simply reached down, released the two screws that held the rectifier in place, new module in and done. 15mins all in!!!  Things have changed a bit since the eighties!  

Thanks for any advice or information given.

SJM242

[Regressor]

Hi there, did this in june or july, alternator was shot and was not charging at all. Just stopped working while driving. Yes driveshaft has to come off, and oil will come out of the gearbox. Ok job to diy, but driveshaft has to come off, oil will come out of gearbox and the drivebelts have to come off if replacing at the same time. I did alternator, idle pulley, tension pulley and new belts while i was fiddling around there. Very tight space under there so an ubiknal of different size tools is good to have.

[cralston]

Jumping on this thread.
With the outer hub removed and 3 x 14mm bolts removed from the carrier bearing bracket should the drive shaft slide out.

 

[cralston]

Ignore the above. There are 2 locating pins but didn't need to remove the bracket in the end.