Alternator on 2006 J120 Toyota Prado 4.0L Petrol

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kryptonjohn

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#222778 28-Aug-2017 11:51

Hi all, apparently the alternator has failed. I'm at work but Mrs KJ had a flat battery this morning. AA came round and charged it but it went flat again. AA replaced the battery (>$200) and it's not charging. So she drives it to the local garage who say needs new alternator at a tad under $1k all up to replace.

Strangely, Mrs KJ says no red alternator warning light on dash?

Can anyone recommend a central Akl garage to get a second look?

Thanks

JohnO

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#1853937 28-Aug-2017 11:55

don't take it to normal garage. Take it to a reputable Auto Electrician. Cant help you where though as I don't live in Auckland.

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Sidestep

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#1853944 28-Aug-2017 12:01

Does the Alt warning light come on when ign on?
And then go out when engine running?

kryptonjohn

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#1853945 28-Aug-2017 12:03

Gilco2 - thanks will do.

Sidestep - I haven't looked myself but Mrs KJ says no light when running. Something doesn't sound right?

SATTV

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#1853957 28-Aug-2017 12:29

My father was an auto electrician so I spent a lot of time in the workshop after school and weekend.

The Light can be out when it fails but I am surprised the AA guy did not pick up on the failed Alternator.

Dad is log retired but if I have an issue I cant resolve I go to Taylor Auto Electrical in New Lynn.

http://www.taylorautoelectrical.co.nz/taylor-auto-electrical

They are very good and I find them cost effective.

John

PS When my alternator packed up recently he said to just go the the wrecker and get another one, a lot cheaper than the diode pack alone, luckily mine was only a bearing so not too bad otherwise I would have seriously looked at it.

I know enough to be dangerous

Sidestep

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#1853958 28-Aug-2017 12:31

My wife had a good experience with an auto electrician in Point Chev a while back when her trailer lights weren't working.
He spoke to me on her cellphone, crawled under the truck & fixed the tweaked out wires on the plug. For free.

Can't comment on his ability but the price was right.

Google tells me it was likely Ron Wood Auto Electrical?

kryptonjohn

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#1853976 28-Aug-2017 12:49

Thanks for the pointers guys. Car is currently sitting at the garage in Parnell, not sure if Mrs KJ should drive that far with a dicky alternator? There's an auto electrician "Live Auto Electrical" nearby in Newmarket. Anyone know them?

Cheers

John

Coil

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#1853977 28-Aug-2017 12:53

http://www.nhae.co.nz/

Don't go past James, Helped me out 2 times in the past with electrical issues surprisingly all free of charge for the diagnosis and he hasnt been wrong!

Barrys Point Road, Get your car towed there Don't bother driving it.
Causeway above their workshop can do any mechanical work as well!

Rikkitic

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#1853981 28-Aug-2017 13:06

My car know-how ended with the 1960s and I don't have any idea what the electrical demands of modern vehicles are, but in the good old days you could drive a long way on a fully-charged battery as long as you didn't run any lights or appliances. I wouldn't think she would have any trouble driving the distance. Just don't repeatedly stop and restart the engine.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Coil

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#1853990 28-Aug-2017 13:30

Rikkitic:

My car know-how ended with the 1960s and I don't have any idea what the electrical demands of modern vehicles are, but in the good old days you could drive a long way on a fully-charged battery as long as you didn't run any lights or appliances. I wouldn't think she would have any trouble driving the distance. Just don't repeatedly stop and restart the engine.

Good luck with a direct injected modern petrol!
Maybe an old carbie that just needs spark would get away with it but not a modern car.
(Please don't be that person who stops on the bridge...)

kryptonjohn

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#1854011 28-Aug-2017 13:36

Both AA guy and electrician (Ron Wood Auto Electrical) say the car can be driven on a fully charged battery but not more than 20 minutes to be on the safe side. Just make sure everything that can be switched off is off.

Coil

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#1854041 28-Aug-2017 14:10

kryptonjohn:

Both AA guy and electrician (Ron Wood Auto Electrical) say the car can be driven on a fully charged battery but not more than 20 minutes to be on the safe side. Just make sure everything that can be switched off is off.

Wouldnt risk it.
Tow it so you don't cause damage to your car. Doubt it has electric steering and the other fancy things on a modern car but even still. I wouldn't bother.
My 540I (E39) when i had it couldnt even make it from Takapuna on a full charge to wairau in the night.. Without traffic.

kryptonjohn

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#1854052 28-Aug-2017 14:19

Pays to be safe, Coil!

Mind you in your case lots of electronics in the Beemer and you had headlights on too ?

MikeB4

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#1854083 28-Aug-2017 14:36

We had a TZ Prado for a while to tow the boat, the alternator went on that while we were on holiday with the Stabbie in the central North Island. A local auto electrician had a reconditioned alternator, cant remember the exact price but it was well less than half the price of a new one and only a couple of hours to get the job done.

kryptonjohn

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#1854086 28-Aug-2017 14:38

That's good to know, thanks @MikeB4

Coil

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#1854091 28-Aug-2017 14:39

kryptonjohn:

Pays to be safe, Coil!

Mind you in your case lots of electronics in the Beemer and you had headlights on too ?

Equal to your prado with electrics, Sure its a euro but in 1999 they didnt have much more than most.
Had park lights on i recall.
Could monitor the voltage on the OBC and it died at 9.8V.

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