toyota surf 1kzte 1994 alternator issues

[mike]

Well after 4 years of wheeling the surf alternator has finally started to die. It slowly charges at idle but as soon as revs go on the volts come back down. I'm guessing the brushes or something have gone. anyone know what this would definitely be and how much im looking at for getting fixed. I was meant to drive up after the sheffield mud plug to wellington but barely got home from dropping chopper off (all warning lights coming on in the dash) but instead had to fly to welly on a full fare (OUCH). As this is the first alternator problem ive had in 4 years i know fark all about them and any info / advice would be appreciated. Naturally if i had a nissan i would have been an expert 3 years 11 months ago.

Cheers

Mike

[wjw]

I have a spare one at Rick's that will bolt straight in, $100 to the cv fund and its yours...... cheaper than an air fare...

[tgaguy1]

It may be mud and crap binding the brushes in the guides. Even if the brushes are worn down, replacing alt is an extreme fix. Brushes only cost about $12 a set. May as well throw a new set in while you have the end cap off. You have done well to get 4 years out of it. It is easy maint that DIY mech is capable of.

[daneo]

I have had it happen to me 4 times this year on my 2lt-E's alt .... i now keep a spare working alternator at home because of it. picked it up cheap off trademe!

as others have said its normally just shit getting in between your brushes so they do not contact properly, if you been down to the waimak for a play and been in mud around alternator level that silty mud normally gets stuck in there, sets like concrete

if you are capable of doing it yourself i would take it apart and give it a clean

brushes are really cheap too do if you do them yourself, or i paid an auto electrician to replace my brushes on the alternator drive in drive out for $80 odd dollars

[taz01]

hell one in 4 yrs is bloody amazing ......i was killing one a week at one stage same with starters..... it will be brushes.... theres a couple of hiace custom vans at pickapart same alt $40 is standard cost there.........

[mike]

took it apart and just cleaned it out. brushes are still in good condition. Should go for another 4 years i think!