I watched more than a dozen videos before replacing my 2008 RX350 Alternator. Most of them were not giving enough info by omitting vital parts of the procedure. Your video was simple, informative with important tips (like the one about reinstalling the air intake Nr2) and made my alternator replacement process easy!
I just replaced the alternator on my 2011 avalon after watching about 15 to 20 other guys who had previously went through that process, and made the video available for the viewing public. Your videos helped a long in getting the job done. However one thing non of you guys addressed in your videos is the difficulty that could be encountered while extracting the bottom bolt. I ran into a brick wall literally while trying to unscrew that bolt. The deep sucket was too long to work with given the tight space available, even though I had broken the bold loose, I still couldn't unscrew it with my fingers, and the regular sucket is too short to begin with, and can't get to the bolt. I had to unscrew the motor mounts, jack the engine up to move the bolt up and above the wall that was the barrier, and had the bolt exposed, and was able to extract it with much ease.
I did mine last night. Don't take off the shroud. Don't take off the heat shield. Take the belt off. Take the three bolts out. Bring it forward. Turn it to the side to remove the bottom bracket. Take the top radiator hose off. Remove the bolt that ties that electrical bundle down. (That's just above the hose). Move the alternator to the left side of the radiator and up through where the hose and electrical bundle sit and you're clear. Grab your new alternator and reverse the process. No need to dismantle a bunch of other stuff just to change your alternator.
Agreed. I am glad he gave other tips too. There is another video on here "EASY! 2005-2012 Toyota Avalon alternator replacement." that does a much faster processes. You don't need to deal with the air intake at all. Think I'm going to do a combination of both of these videos, as I also want to replace the belt and the coolant.
Got stranded in Chicago with a bad alternator. I just removed the radiator hose off the thermostat housing and pushed it to the side. Way quicker for my situation. No need to remove shroud.
Awesome video - quick and to the point. I was able to remove my alternator (2008 Avalon) in about 30 min after watching this. Was not "easy" but I knew what I was facing in advance thanks to this. I did remove the radiator bracket rather than drain the fluid and remove the fan shroud, and I also found it necessary or at least highly advisable to remove the bolt (12mm) holding the oil dip-stick, allowing the dip-stick to flop to the side out of the way. That made a huge difference. New alternator is on order - hope re-assembly goes as smooth. I suspect I will have to remove wheel and splash guard to get the access to re-install the serpentine belt.
THANKS VERY HELPFUL, DID ONE A WHILE BACK BUT TOOK OUT FAN HOUSING THIS TIME ILL TRY JUST TAKING OUT THE RADIATOR SUPPORT FASTER LESS WORK THANKS AGAIN
Only had to take off the top radiator hose to get the alternator out. Lost a little bit of fluid but not a lot put a plastic up there to catch it. Thank you.
Great video. Did it without taking tire off or removing the radiator parts (just the top framework part and loosened the two bolts at the bottom of the radiator so it would flex forward some). Really appreciate it! '08 Avalon XLS
I changed my alternator for the 2006 avalon limited. I didnt have to drain the fluid. Or move the radiator. I removed the 3 screws holding the heat sheild and the dipstick bolt. Also that easy to reach bracket bolt, i went for the more difficult bolt that attaches the bracket to the alternator because i wouldnt have room to remove the alternator and i didnt want to risk damaging the radiator.
This made me wanna teybit myself. I use to work in race cars & older american muscle cars. I've got about %20 done & in wanna take it to the shop. Lol. I also have a very bad back
Would it not be easier to loosen the radiator support to gain access to alternator and then after you’re finished if you want to drain the coolant go for it? Removing the fan seems like extra work.
Yeah, I showed two different ways of removing the alternator. The manual has you remove the fan which requires draining the coolant and removing the hose. The alternative method not in the manual is to remove the radiator support only. Either one works but you don't need to do both.
Right, what I’m saying is it seems easier to me to go with the super easy first option you showed and later after the alternator is installed if you decide to change your coolant you can drain and refill. Going to the extra work of removing the electric fan shroud just so you can replace the coolant seems odd to me. Maybe I’m missing something here. Great video and super informative btw.
@@jeffsmith4945 Same, I'm really scratching my head why he didn't just show us the easy way, which is probably what most people are looking for including myself. I saw him pull the alternator out with the fan out, but how does it look pulling it out with just the radiator support removed? Would have loved to see how much pulling on the radiator would be needed, how it would twist out ect.
As long as you were going to drain the coolant, you could have removed the lower radiator hose at its engine connection and that would have allowed you to get at the lower alternator bolt much easier.
@@slayer7976 it’s from the camshaft sensor bro. You have to remover the alternator and loosen up the bolts from the ac compressor and move it around. The same shit happened to me and I went to the junkyard to track the wire and I just cut off the wires with the sensor and used heat shrink to wire it together bro.
I just searched Google Images for a serpentine belt diagram for my 2005 and it was extremely easy to weave it back on the correct way following the diagram
It's likely the pulley on the alternator failing. Eventually it won't stay connected anymore and the battery light will stay on and it'll die... I would start saving for an alternator and maybe get it replaced before it fails
the nut for the belt wont budge for me, i tried wd40 no dice. admittedly i dont have one of those long tools so i was trying with just a standard 14 wrench, is it possible to do with that or do i just actually need the extender please explain in simple terms, i am *not* a car person just a young broke person trying to fix his car. but the most ive ever done car maintenance wise is change my moms filter so im like a fish in a desert
Having a longer handle gives you more torque so turning the tensioner will be easier than a smaller wrench. You can borrow the tool from O'Reilly's or AutoZone 👍
I watched more than a dozen videos before replacing my 2008 RX350 Alternator. Most of them were not giving enough info by omitting vital parts of the procedure. Your video was simple, informative with important tips (like the one about reinstalling the air intake Nr2) and made my alternator replacement process easy!
Glad this video was helpful! Thanks for the positive feed back 👍
I just replaced the alternator on my 2011 avalon after watching about 15 to 20 other guys who had previously went through that process, and made the video available for the viewing public.
Your videos helped a long in getting the job done. However one thing non of you guys addressed in your videos is the difficulty that could be encountered while extracting the bottom bolt.
I ran into a brick wall literally while trying to unscrew that bolt. The deep sucket was too long to work with given the tight space available, even though I had broken the bold loose, I still couldn't unscrew it with my fingers, and the regular sucket is too short to begin with, and can't get to the bolt.
I had to unscrew the motor mounts, jack the engine up to move the bolt up and above the wall that was the barrier, and had the bolt exposed, and was able to extract it with much ease.
I did mine last night. Don't take off the shroud. Don't take off the heat shield. Take the belt off. Take the three bolts out. Bring it forward. Turn it to the side to remove the bottom bracket. Take the top radiator hose off. Remove the bolt that ties that electrical bundle down. (That's just above the hose). Move the alternator to the left side of the radiator and up through where the hose and electrical bundle sit and you're clear. Grab your new alternator and reverse the process. No need to dismantle a bunch of other stuff just to change your alternator.
You should've made a video 😢 lol
My papa and his best friend did the same thing on a few of these, and I'm going to mimic that too xD
Agreed. I am glad he gave other tips too. There is another video on here "EASY! 2005-2012 Toyota Avalon alternator replacement." that does a much faster processes. You don't need to deal with the air intake at all.
Think I'm going to do a combination of both of these videos, as I also want to replace the belt and the coolant.
My alternator came straight out without removing the radiator thing.
Good video it did help me.
Your details were excellent, especially torque specs & tips!
Just in time to change my alternator, Thank You for the info and procedure you used 🙂
Got stranded in Chicago with a bad alternator. I just removed the radiator hose off the thermostat housing and pushed it to the side. Way quicker for my situation. No need to remove shroud.
Awesome video - quick and to the point. I was able to remove my alternator (2008 Avalon) in about 30 min after watching this. Was not "easy" but I knew what I was facing in advance thanks to this. I did remove the radiator bracket rather than drain the fluid and remove the fan shroud, and I also found it necessary or at least highly advisable to remove the bolt (12mm) holding the oil dip-stick, allowing the dip-stick to flop to the side out of the way. That made a huge difference. New alternator is on order - hope re-assembly goes as smooth. I suspect I will have to remove wheel and splash guard to get the access to re-install the serpentine belt.
Awesome Jim! Feels good when we can get the car fixed 👍
please teach me your ways oh wise one my ass got stuck on loosening the belt nut
excellent instruction with all needed detail! Thank you so much
THANKS VERY HELPFUL, DID ONE A WHILE BACK BUT TOOK OUT FAN HOUSING THIS TIME ILL TRY JUST TAKING OUT THE RADIATOR SUPPORT FASTER LESS WORK THANKS AGAIN
@@allanfranco4464 You're welcome! Glad this video was helpful 🙂
Best self explain 🎥
Only had to take off the top radiator hose to get the alternator out. Lost a little bit of fluid but not a lot put a plastic up there to catch it. Thank you.
Great video. Did it without taking tire off or removing the radiator parts (just the top framework part and loosened the two bolts at the bottom of the radiator so it would flex forward some). Really appreciate it! '08 Avalon XLS
Appreciate this vid. Informative.
I changed my alternator for the 2006 avalon limited. I didnt have to drain the fluid. Or move the radiator. I removed the 3 screws holding the heat sheild and the dipstick bolt. Also that easy to reach bracket bolt, i went for the more difficult bolt that attaches the bracket to the alternator because i wouldnt have room to remove the alternator and i didnt want to risk damaging the radiator.
Great job, thanks!
This made me wanna teybit myself. I use to work in race cars & older american muscle cars. I've got about %20 done & in wanna take it to the shop. Lol. I also have a very bad back
Dang man, excellent video!
Would it not be easier to loosen the radiator support to gain access to alternator and then after you’re finished if you want to drain the coolant go for it? Removing the fan seems like extra work.
Yeah, I showed two different ways of removing the alternator. The manual has you remove the fan which requires draining the coolant and removing the hose. The alternative method not in the manual is to remove the radiator support only. Either one works but you don't need to do both.
Right, what I’m saying is it seems easier to me to go with the super easy first option you showed and later after the alternator is installed if you decide to change your coolant you can drain and refill. Going to the extra work of removing the electric fan shroud just so you can replace the coolant seems odd to me. Maybe I’m missing something here.
Great video and super informative btw.
@@jeffsmith4945 Same, I'm really scratching my head why he didn't just show us the easy way, which is probably what most people are looking for including myself. I saw him pull the alternator out with the fan out, but how does it look pulling it out with just the radiator support removed? Would have loved to see how much pulling on the radiator would be needed, how it would twist out ect.
Thank you!
How do you get that bottom bolt on the alternator so easy next to the belt i have no room to squeeze down the mere with my hand
How about taking off the top engine mount and maybe loosening the lower one and lifting the engine a bit. Those are both very easy to get to
As long as you were going to drain the coolant, you could have removed the lower radiator hose at its engine connection and that would have allowed you to get at the lower alternator bolt much easier.
Hey I have a question. At 8:43 you show a cable on the back bracket of the alternator. Where does that cable go to?
Yes, i have the same question, did anyone find out? I missed it and the stupid wire tore off of somewhere...uggh
@@slayer7976 it’s from the camshaft sensor bro. You have to remover the alternator and loosen up the bolts from the ac compressor and move it around. The same shit happened to me and I went to the junkyard to track the wire and I just cut off the wires with the sensor and used heat shrink to wire it together bro.
My bad I mean crankshaft sensor*
Gd it! I was afraid of that. Gotta take the whole thing back apart, what a cluster fk. Thanks for the reply, appreciate it
@@slayer7976 no problem man! I’m here if you need help bro!
How do I get that belt off? Do I take off the whole pulley?
I really appreciate this video.
Do you have one that includes the belt ?
Thanks 🙂. I don't have a belt replacement video. Maybe in the future I'll put one together.
I just searched Google Images for a serpentine belt diagram for my 2005 and it was extremely easy to weave it back on the correct way following the diagram
Can you replace the ac compressor using this method?
Yeah ... So I didn't do any of that and just yanked it out. Lots of bruises on hands but it worked. 😂
I feel he did too much just the radiator hose where thermostat he would of had enough room I'm to do wat u did lol
Awesome thanks
Great video!
@@DavidDahm0o Thanks! Glad this video was helpful 🙂
Awesome
What happens if you don’t put the bracket underneath back on?
@@chippyj8566 Honestly I'm not 100% sure what will happen. The size of the bolt and torque on it makes me think it's something important.
So what’s with the difference in alternator pulleys?
did anyone do it the factory way? seems like extra work.
Battery light comes on and off when driving
It's likely the pulley on the alternator failing. Eventually it won't stay connected anymore and the battery light will stay on and it'll die... I would start saving for an alternator and maybe get it replaced before it fails
Why my belt can’t come off
New battery and alternator
To much I want a new car
the nut for the belt wont budge for me, i tried wd40 no dice. admittedly i dont have one of those long tools so i was trying with just a standard 14 wrench, is it possible to do with that or do i just actually need the extender
please explain in simple terms, i am *not* a car person just a young broke person trying to fix his car. but the most ive ever done car maintenance wise is change my moms filter so im like a fish in a desert
Having a longer handle gives you more torque so turning the tensioner will be easier than a smaller wrench. You can borrow the tool from O'Reilly's or AutoZone 👍