Electrical System problem 2006 Yaris

[Ivriniel]

Last week, I started having trouble with the electrical system on my Yaris. In the morning I'd get in the car and the battery light would be on. I'd drive for a while, and then it would turn off.

Since then, the amount of time I've had drive before the light turned off has increased. Today I drove for a hour, and the light stayed on the whole time.

Today I took the car in for scheduled maintenance at the dealership and they had a look at it. They say that my alternator is going and I need a new one. They also said that the YARIS has a new style of alternator and they don't recommend rebuilding it because it wouldn't last.

I've had my Yaris for 3 years and 6 months, so it's out of warranty. It has 55 000 KM (34 000 miles) on it.

Admittedly, I don't know a tonne about cars, but I know that the alternator shouldn't be dying already.

It also seems strange that I haven't noticed any of the symptoms of a bad alternator: the car has had no trouble turning over, and the wipers, radio and lights all continue to work even when the light is on. I haven't had to boost it at all. If it weren't for the light coming on, I wouldn't think I had a problem.

So basically, I'm asking what people think. Does this seem likely?

Thanks.

[Tamago]

bad alternator very likely.

they really aren't that expensive though (don't go to the dealer)

[silver_echo]

sounds more or less correct to me, however, one thing that often is recommended with a new alternator is a new battery, because there is a possibility that the battery was overstressed, and overstressing the battery just takes part of its lifetime away...

[IllusionX]

kinda sucks, because the dealer can roll back the mileage... not age. :(

my last warranty repair was close to 61000km, and they rolled it back ~2000km on the computer to have my parts repaired on warranty.

anyways.. mine died at about the same mileage, it was actually the bearings getting ceased up.

["G"]

Any updates on this? I'm having the same random battery light come on.

[WeeYari]

I've responded to this question a couple of times. Same issue happens with mine. Will always occur after a rainfall, or otherwise damp atmospheric conditions.

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24845&highlight=voltage+regulator
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23522&highlight=voltage+regulator

TSB had been issued in 2007 to deal with voltage regular corrosion on the contacts.

["G"]

Has anyone successfully replaced their regulator or removed the corrosion? It looks to be a $140 part > http://www.toyotapartszone.com/oem/toyota~alternator~assy~27060-21150.html

[beZzZ]

Get a 09 from scrap yard, $140 + shop labour $200-$300, still cheaper than the dealer.

In Canada, the cost for a new alternator is $690 + labour.

["G"]

It will be pretty hard to find an alternator that new from a junkyard. Also my alternator is fine, just need to replace the regulator. I can do the labor myself. Removing the alternator has to be the easiest on this car.

[beZzZ]

It will be pretty hard to find an alternator that new from a junkyard. Also my alternator is fine, just need to replace the regulator. I can do the labor myself. Removing the alternator has to be the easiest on this car.

Adriaan told me as long as the inside of the alternator is fine, just change the inside parts, the regulator.

Here is some help how you can DIY the fix:

http://www.etimago.com/yaris/repairmanual/Charging.pdf

Hope it helps

[beZzZ]

I've responded to this question a couple of times. Same issue happens with mine. Will always occur after a rainfall, or otherwise damp atmospheric conditions.

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24845&highlight=voltage+regulator
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23522&highlight=voltage+regulator

TSB had been issued in 2007 to deal with voltage regular corrosion on the contacts.

Steve, are you still the same problem right now?

[beZzZ]

Just got a question for everyone having the battery light problem.

When the light is on, is it not a solid bright light, but a randomly blinking in a quick rate? because mine is having this problem.

Thanks

[Adriaan]

The problem is the regulator from 06 to 08. You can't take a 09 regulator and put it in and 06 to 08. It works fine for a while then goes don't hill fast from there. Caused me lots of problems ie. melted alternator wire and positive battery terminal for starters. So get and 09 + will fix that problem that you and so many people have had. The only parts you can use from than 06 to 08 alternator is the casing and the pulley. When i got mine is was 100$ but the pulley and back part of the casing was damaged. so i which over the piece and it worked find. After being tested at the shop. If your looking for one go here
http://car-part.com/ put your car, part, state, province or territory, prix and damage unit your postal or zip code if you don't want to travel to far. Your request will be there in about 10 sec. Works in canada and the us. There good for other parts also. It and online scrap / wreckers site.