What would cause an alternator to go bad? I have a toyota camry 1995.?

Question

Thanks.

Answer 1

First-some simple truths...you wake up and have to pee, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, children love candy, alternators go bad. Here are two tests to tell if your alternator is bad. First, when the car is running, hook up a voltage meter to your battery terminals. If the voltage reading is ATLEAST 12.5 v but no more than 14.5, your alternator isn't bad. Second, assuming that your charge light came on in the dash, with the car running, hit the alternator casing with the back end of a broom stick handle (or like object). The light on the dash should go off because it temporarily causes the brushes to begin making contact again. Either way, if you aren't dumping at least 12.5 volts into your battery, your car won't stay performing for long because the entire system is set up on 12V. The high power demands of lights, computers, etc cause a rapid drain in power supply. As a side note, this is why car companies are going to L.E.D.'s. They last longer, are brighter and use way less power over all. Thanks!!!
P.S. CHR1, leaving your headlights on won't make your alternator go out. That was coincidence...Alternators only work when the engine is running.

Answer 2

It's not unusual for an alternator to malfunction on a car that's eleven years old. For the least expensive fix, check your yellow pages for shops that rebuild alternators, preferably one that specializes in it. Remove the alternator and take it into the shop and ask for a rebuild. It's usually a one day service and cost about $200. Now you have your original factory alternator in brand new condition. This is far preferable to buying a rebuilt one from some of the auto supply shops because you don't know what you're getting. Also, getting a new factory alternator from a dealer is mucho expensive and it won't be any better that your original rebuilt.

One word of caution: If you reinstall the rebuilt alternator, make sure your battery is fully charged. If you replace the alternator with a low battery with the expectation that your new alternator will charge the battery it just may blow the newly installed diodes.

Answer 3

Heat and friction.

Alternators in cars these days have a lot of work to do as more and more electronics are installed. They can range in power output anywhere from 50 amps to 200 or even more! Take note that most homes are wired for 200 amp service, Now imagine even half the work being done by electricity in your home at any one time being done by that little tiny part. Eventually time will take its toll and the unit will need to be rebuilt or replaced.

Answer 4

brushes are really the only thing that go wrong with the toyota alternators they are actually very reliable compared to other manufacturers alternators, i just had the brushes replaced in my 88 toyota pickup it was only 21 bucks total at m local small time battery shop and it only took about 15 minutes i talked to him while he replaced the brishes, i removed and reinstalled the alternator myself, the brushes are soldered in place in the toyota alternators

it is like new again and it charges so well that the headlights on the low setting are as bright as having the brights on

the chsarging light was flickering on and off lately, the brushes were completely worn down


good luck :D

Answer 5

The brushes etc. on an alternator wear out sooner or later. It's something you have to expect on a 10 year old car.

Answer 6

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no way would i trade a 95 camry for a 91. the 95 is one of the best cars to own-cheap to own,easy to fix. did you change all the motor mounts? cause that's classic description of bad motor mounts.they do have bad plug wires occasionally but that would miss fire all the time. does it shake in park? hard to diagnose without seeing it in person but hope this helps.

Answer 7

RE:
What would cause an alternator to go bad? I have a toyota camry 1995.?
Thanks.

Answer 8

There are parts inside, ie. rotor and brushes, which physically wear out over time. If you are at d.i.y. type you can often rebuild your alternator by replacing above mentioned parts. This would be a good place to start but the easiest thing is to just replace it.

Answer 9

Anything mechanical can eventually go bad, like your vacuum cleaner, blender, hair dryer, anything electrical eventually wears out if you are constantly using them. I would suggest you buy another alternator and if you dont want this one to ever go bad, park your car and throw the keys away!

Answer 10

Sometimes they just go out after a while. But one time I left my headlights on all day and my alternator and battery both went out