is an alternator = alternator for toyota cars?

[dusthead]

i have a 93 tercel that the alternator is crapping out on. i went to the other forums that have tercel owners on them but no luck on picking one up for cheap....so that brought this question to me:

are most alternators just about the same thing? with differences being the pully, the connections, and the amps generated?

cause if i could get a cheap one from a mk3 or something...maybe just swap the pully.....connections...an i'd be set?

 

[fixitman04]

short answer, yes. long answer not always. find a part # on it. toyota alternators are not cheap. never have been, never will be. i know that a 1.6 and a 2.2 will interchange, im pretty sure that a 7m will also interchange with the 2.2(looks the same, havent tried it.)
.
post a pict of it, i have a extra from the celica, might just fit

 

[Supracentral]

are most alternators just about the same thing? with differences being the pully, the connections, and the amps generated

Pretty much - it's a generator. Just be sure you're using one that puts out as many, or more amps than the original. More amps won't hurt, too few could leave you short on electrical power.

Also, be sure whatever you source it from also uses an internal regulator like the Tercel does. (Pretty much all modern cars have internal regulators - old American stuff has external regulators.)

Also, you'll probably find that mounting it may be a challenge as well, but a little creativity goes a long way there.

 

[northwestsupra]

i know that its possible to put on another vehicles alternator cause we did it lol. was basically the same alternator even same connector. only difference was it was a little bigger. so we cut up the upper bracket with a little V slot, heated it up, bent it, then rewelded a new section for support. tried it out. and worked great.

 

[IJ.]

Used an FJ80 Cruiser alternator on my 7M, changed the pulley and there was an adaptor harness available to make it plugNplay.

 

[dusthead]

thanks guys

 

[Poodles]

Also, depending on what's wrong with it, it could be a very easy (and cheap) fix...

 

[shaeff]

Seriously, most of the alternator failures I've personally worked on were nothing but worn brushes. Less than $10 at the local parts depot and they were back in business.

 

[IJ.]

My GE Alt finally gave up the ghost after a few years of being spun to 8500rpm, I think at the time I calculated 14000+ rpm at the alternator, it had very very worn brushes, no commutator left and grumbly bearings.

 

[Poodles]

Regulator went out on mine, hence the parts store alt (lame)

 

[dusthead]

well maybe someone has an idea as to the issue:

good volts when pushing the gas (above 13), but when idle it's in the 11 range. so at night when i have my lights on and stopped...i could tell something was wrong.

 

[JonoTurbo]

The cause of your low power at idle might just be poor/worn grounding. If the alternator is still capable of charging the battery and regulating power, it seems like its fine.

 

[emiliorescigno]

Just an extra bit of info - I think MR2 Turbo alternators fit (nearly) plug and play with Supras, only with more power output. Something worth looking into.

 

[Poodles]

More than likely a ground issue in your case.

 

[dusthead]

More than likely a ground issue in your case.

ok...last thing i did was plugs after the valve stem seal replacement (been tapping and sounding like shit since...probably should have bought new rocker springs)...and it started having the electrical issue a little while after the stem seals. i'll just go over all the lines....bring a steel toothbrush for the bit of corrosion on the battery.

right...when i get time. hah

 

[Mr.Forks]

if there is any corrosion use some vinegar soaked cloths to help clean it up,
always worked for me, and there probably isn't anything magical happening, but vinegar soaked cloth is what my father used to clean battery terminals and connections, so its what i use. go figure.