Thanks! Your video was a huge help. You got me through the hiding bracket (third) bolt. I did not drain the radiator, I did not remove the tensioner pulley or remove the thermostat housing. I did disconnect the two radiator hoses, just spilled a bit and turned em up.The paper towel trick with the sockets and bolts was new to me, thank you for that, I used it today and will use it again. Swapping this alternator out was so much fun that I think I would rather just pull the entire engine if I ever have to do it again. The wiring looms and the multiple sensors all over the engine and on every single item in the engine bay really just makes me frustrated with Toyota. Not to mention all the plastic shrouds and body clips and the busted 10mL bolts that I had to drill out of the frame before putting it all back together, and not having any space anywhere, but thats par for the course. I have owned this 200,000 mile 2011 Highlander since 60,000 miles. I guess the fact that this original alternator made it to 200,000 miles before needing to be replaced speaks to why I deal with the modern Toyota frustrations. I can change the alternator on my 225 slant six in 20 minutes, and that 1980 Dodge Sedan gets similar mileage to this 2011 Highlander. It was below freezing where I worked outside all day today too. LOL. Oh well, I'm done with the job and I'm done whining. Thanks again for the help. Glad to have it.
That humming sound is the same thing that happened to my 2010, but it also had a bad burning smell coming from it, i live in australia so labour and parts with a new battery is 1600$ 600 in labour this video has given me the kick to do it myself so thank you so much for that
Wow! What a great fix video. I can't thank you enough for posting that. 2010 Highlander just a turn to 2000 me yesterday and I decided to take it to Wisconsin from Houston Texas. Battery had a parasitic drain for the last 3 years or so so I replace the battery yesterday with an AGM. 4 1/2 hrs north of Houston I end up getting the battery light for the first time ever on this vehicle. I made it to my brother's, tested the battery and I was down at 11.36 volts. dang that was close to shutting me down on the freeway! Thought I would wait until we get back from Wisconsin in an alternate vehicle and just do this repair in his garage but after seeing your video I clearly need to get back to my house where all of my tools are at. Thank you very much for posting this so I can make that decision
great video, my wifes highlander battery light came on today. Replaced the battery and still there, tested the alternator and it showed bad. Took 2 hours to get it out and about an hour to get back in. I didn;t remove the thermostat housing which made it take longer because it took a while to get that harnass over. Coolant got all over the engine area and smoked quite a bit. Seems like it is ready now.
I did not have to remove the thermostat housing, and removed the right front wheel to have better access to removing and installing a new belt. Everything else did was the same way as in this video
Even with removing everything, there are quite a few bolts that are almost not visible and or have very little room to work with. Easily a 4+ hour job.
Thanks for taking the time to show this video. I would recommend checking your AC system for leaks, replacing the rubber oil lines, show the installation of the alternator, and be prepared to do this again in one year...Duralast....don't last....You'll be paying more for parts than you need to. Good luck!
11:48 I see you haven't changed those rubber oil cooler lines out for the updated all metal ones. Better do that before they burst and blow your motor 😮, they are high flow and will empty all your oil in under 1min
You dont need to drain the coolant, though you will need to top it off as you will lose some disconnecting the lines. Just did this today and it was a colossal PITA!
In hindsight, do you think that you needed to remove the idler pulley or do you think you could have gotten away with not removing that? It seems that there's other videos that aren't saying that it needs to be removed
Thanks for a great video. I saw a short vid where a guy claims he didn’t have to remove fan housing. He pulled it out to the left where the thermostat housing was. I have removed all bolts and housing. Don’t see where that is possible.
Wonderful job explaining the process to not a DIYer. I just got the battery changed (free replacement as the previously installed new one died in 2 months) and wanted to make sure the alternator is not going bad or something else is not draining the battery. I saw in another video (for a different car) somewhere to check the voltage between battery negative terminal and alternator and it should be 0. Can you demonstrate that for the highlander? Thanks in advance
It took me a while to find and manage that 3rd bolt out, but then I lost it in there somewhere. Dedicated over an hour, looking for it without success. Do you think it's going to be a problem 😕. This is a great video. Thank you for sharing.
I almost didn't put the third bolt back in, took me 30 minutes to get it threaded back into that hole. I was thinking about just leaving it, as it didn't seem like it would provide stability to the alternator, and because I thought it was stupid and it was frustrating and I was cold. I am curious: does your alternator seem to work fine with just the two front bolts? Like any noises or anything? Thanks.
I don't know what color my coolant is because I just got this car but I normally only see red coolant for semi trucks. Any reason why it's red in this car? Used to it being green.
It's best not to mix different color coolants due to their chemistries. If you're not certain which coolant to use, you can google your specific car make, model and year to confirm which coolant to use. Auto parts store can also confirm which to choose. For my Toyotas, I just go to Walmart / Amazon and select the pink fluid designated for Asian vehicles calling out Toyota and Lexus.
@@joecaca4136 Technically, I do not believe it’s removal is required. Someone has commented how they did not remove it and I believe there is a video or two out there with it not being removed. However, I removed it for my video and all is well.
Curious to know how long this job took you. Obviously much longer with having to film but if now for having to film how long do you think you would have had into this job?
I just did it a couple weeks ago it took me 6... Albeit at least one hour was spent looking for that damn nut for the thermostat housing. Highly recommend putting some tape on that socket!
Im in middle of this process and scared to hit the radiator while removing the alternator. Toyota, by making this very hard fix, is telling people to go the dealer stealer.
I Know ! I want my '57 chevy back ! Two guys could sit under the hood and BS while having a beer and do an alternator in 15n - 20 minutes ! I am wondering how the F' to get at that inner bolt besides wondering if I can even reach the belt to take it off let alone put it back on.
That paper towel in around the head of the bolts is a fantastic idea! It saved SOME aggrevation!
Thanks! Your video was a huge help. You got me through the hiding bracket (third) bolt. I did not drain the radiator, I did not remove the tensioner pulley or remove the thermostat housing. I did disconnect the two radiator hoses, just spilled a bit and turned em up.The paper towel trick with the sockets and bolts was new to me, thank you for that, I used it today and will use it again. Swapping this alternator out was so much fun that I think I would rather just pull the entire engine if I ever have to do it again. The wiring looms and the multiple sensors all over the engine and on every single item in the engine bay really just makes me frustrated with Toyota. Not to mention all the plastic shrouds and body clips and the busted 10mL bolts that I had to drill out of the frame before putting it all back together, and not having any space anywhere, but thats par for the course. I have owned this 200,000 mile 2011 Highlander since 60,000 miles. I guess the fact that this original alternator made it to 200,000 miles before needing to be replaced speaks to why I deal with the modern Toyota frustrations. I can change the alternator on my 225 slant six in 20 minutes, and that 1980 Dodge Sedan gets similar mileage to this 2011 Highlander. It was below freezing where I worked outside all day today too. LOL. Oh well, I'm done with the job and I'm done whining. Thanks again for the help. Glad to have it.
@@bruceco.8524 Excellent! Thank you for the feedback the time you took to explain your successful experience!
That humming sound is the same thing that happened to my 2010, but it also had a bad burning smell coming from it, i live in australia so labour and parts with a new battery is 1600$ 600 in labour
this video has given me the kick to do it myself so thank you so much for that
You are welcome. It'll feel nice to save some of that money.
Im having that same humming sound coming from the belt alternator too could it be the alternator going bad?
Thank you for making this video. You did a great job explaining and showing the job. It saved me $500-$1000 on labor costs.
@@kylecarlson429 Sweet! This is great to hear!
great job my friend so much better then anything I've see so far. thanks again
Best video for an Highlander Alternator install by far. Thank you.
I truly appreciate you taking the time to comment and show appreciation! This is what fuels me to continue posting my vids. Thanks!
Wow! What a great fix video. I can't thank you enough for posting that. 2010 Highlander just a turn to 2000 me yesterday and I decided to take it to Wisconsin from Houston Texas. Battery had a parasitic drain for the last 3 years or so so I replace the battery yesterday with an AGM. 4 1/2 hrs north of Houston I end up getting the battery light for the first time ever on this vehicle. I made it to my brother's, tested the battery and I was down at 11.36 volts. dang that was close to shutting me down on the freeway! Thought I would wait until we get back from Wisconsin in an alternate vehicle and just do this repair in his garage but after seeing your video I clearly need to get back to my house where all of my tools are at. Thank you very much for posting this so I can make that decision
@@AndTodaysProjectIs You are welcome! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Nice video. Thanks for helping Highlander owners. Hope the alternator last as long as the new one
great video, my wifes highlander battery light came on today. Replaced the battery and still there, tested the alternator and it showed bad. Took 2 hours to get it out and about an hour to get back in. I didn;t remove the thermostat housing which made it take longer because it took a while to get that harnass over. Coolant got all over the engine area and smoked quite a bit. Seems like it is ready now.
I did not have to remove the thermostat housing, and removed the right front wheel to have better access to removing and installing a new belt. Everything else did was the same way as in this video
I'll be doing this replacement tomorrow morning so thanks for that tire idea
Very helpful, like it 👍
Even with removing everything, there are quite a few bolts that are almost not visible and or have very little room to work with. Easily a 4+ hour job.
Thanks for taking the time to show this video. I would recommend checking your AC system for leaks, replacing the rubber oil lines, show the installation of the alternator, and be prepared to do this again in one year...Duralast....don't last....You'll be paying more for parts than you need to. Good luck!
Believe me sir, millions of people around the world will appreciate this video that is helping us. Thanks and god bless
@@persabras7982 I appreciate your kind words and grateful to be part of this wonderful TH-cam platform and community.
Great work.
Thank you! Take care.
Holy cats 3K subscribers! Great job.
11:48 I see you haven't changed those rubber oil cooler lines out for the updated all metal ones. Better do that before they burst and blow your motor 😮, they are high flow and will empty all your oil in under 1min
Very good video
@@mikedavidson2117 Thank you!
Hi, I am not sure why you had to drain the coolant at all. Is it not enough to just remove that top hose and spill a little?
I was wondering the same thing. Seems like you would only need to remove the top hose and drain what's in it.
You dont need to drain the coolant, though you will need to top it off as you will lose some disconnecting the lines. Just did this today and it was a colossal PITA!
Needs replacing every 4 years!
Thank you Sir
You are welcome!
In hindsight, do you think that you needed to remove the idler pulley or do you think you could have gotten away with not removing that? It seems that there's other videos that aren't saying that it needs to be removed
Yea...probably not needed. I just dove in and removed it anyway. Not too much of an issue do so. Thanks!
Thank you!!!
You are welcome!
you rule thank you
You are welcome. Take care!
Thanks for a great video. I saw a short vid where a guy claims he didn’t have to remove fan housing. He pulled it out to the left where the thermostat housing was. I have removed all bolts and housing. Don’t see where that is possible.
Good video
That harness clip and the bracket are a pita.
Thank you.
seriously.
Wonderful job explaining the process to not a DIYer. I just got the battery changed (free replacement as the previously installed new one died in 2 months) and wanted to make sure the alternator is not going bad or something else is not draining the battery. I saw in another video (for a different car) somewhere to check the voltage between battery negative terminal and alternator and it should be 0. Can you demonstrate that for the highlander? Thanks in advance
Thanks
You are welcome!
It took me a while to find and manage that 3rd bolt out, but then I lost it in there somewhere. Dedicated over an hour, looking for it without success. Do you think it's going to be a problem 😕. This is a great video. Thank you for sharing.
I almost didn't put the third bolt back in, took me 30 minutes to get it threaded back into that hole. I was thinking about just leaving it, as it didn't seem like it would provide stability to the alternator, and because I thought it was stupid and it was frustrating and I was cold. I am curious: does your alternator seem to work fine with just the two front bolts? Like any noises or anything? Thanks.
I don't know what color my coolant is because I just got this car but I normally only see red coolant for semi trucks. Any reason why it's red in this car? Used to it being green.
It's best not to mix different color coolants due to their chemistries. If you're not certain which coolant to use, you can google your specific car make, model and year to confirm which coolant to use. Auto parts store can also confirm which to choose. For my Toyotas, I just go to Walmart / Amazon and select the pink fluid designated for Asian vehicles calling out Toyota and Lexus.
Bro my only concern was the goddamn upper water neck going to the head... does that need to come off?
@@joecaca4136 Technically, I do not believe it’s removal is required. Someone has commented how they did not remove it and I believe there is a video or two out there with it not being removed. However, I removed it for my video and all is well.
What is that harness that clips to that bracket
idk but i just destroyed it lmao. have to take compressor off now to fix it. unreal.
Curious to know how long this job took you. Obviously much longer with having to film but if now for having to film how long do you think you would have had into this job?
It probably would have taken me about 3 hours. I was tackling this for the first time and fortunately was not fumbling for tools too much.
@thedude ; if you do it in less than 5 1/2 hrs I would be impressed !
I just did it a couple weeks ago it took me 6... Albeit at least one hour was spent looking for that damn nut for the thermostat housing. Highly recommend putting some tape on that socket!
Im in middle of this process and scared to hit the radiator while removing the alternator. Toyota, by making this very hard fix, is telling people to go the dealer stealer.
Im assuming you are already done but in case anyone else reads this I recommend putting some cardboard on the radiator for some protection.
someone said toyotas are good? yeah.. until theyre not...
that’s literally every vehicle out there.
Why the fck did Toyota do this!!?
Space is limited, RAV4's , Venza s is much easier,
I just did my Sienna and thought that was bad. This is way worse xD
I Know ! I want my '57 chevy back ! Two guys could sit under the hood and BS while having a beer and do an alternator in 15n - 20 minutes ! I am wondering how the F' to get at that inner bolt besides wondering if I can even reach the belt to take it off let alone put it back on.
I can barely hear you sir 😢
Operator error
volume is fine. check your hearing