Upgrade Alternator?

[white89gt]

Good morning all....

I have a question on the alternator. Is there an upgraded alternator we can put on the Yaris? I was looking at them on Rock Auto, and it appearsthat an alternator from a 2008 Scion XD with a 1.8 liter would fit, but uses a different pulley (more ribs). They are both clocked at 8:30, and the mounts appear to be close, if not exactly the same. The Scion alty puts out 100 amps.

Just wondering if anyone had tried this, or something similar? I've got a Ford 3G alternator laying around, might see if it's a possibility, as they are 130 amp.

Anyway, I have a bearing going out in mine I believe, so I'd like to upgrade.

Scion Alternator
http://www.rockauto.com/info/333/334-2928A_Primary__ra_p.jpg

Yaris Alternator
http://www.rockauto.com/info/333/334-2733_Primary__ra_p.jpg

[white89gt]

FWIW, just bought one for a 2011 Scion, which is 100 amps. It has a decoupler pulley on it, and I will attempt to use it... as I think it will help with the squeaky belt.

Will report back when I get it, and install it.

[zerosl]

My dad owns a starter/alternator shop in Newburgh NY, he would know the exact information you are looking for, not sure if he ships out units, but its worth giving him a call
Lucho: 845-564-0320

[white89gt]

Thank you!!!

[SirDigby]

yeah. the pulley swap should be easy. there use to be motor shops in most cities. if you find one they can build whatever you want... or call that guy in NY. shipping shouldn't be more than $30
oh, you're in Utah? i know there is a few in GJ. you could drive there!
Junction Starter&Alternator 970.243.1136

[SirDigby]

there is quite a few in SLC. these all look like great places!
http://www.actionalternator.com/
http://generatorexchange.net/
http://snap-usa.com/

[white89gt]

Thank you SirDigby! The place I used to frequent doesn't answer the phone anymore.... these will come in handy.

I just looked up the status and the last activity was on October 13th at 3am.... saying it is in Virginia. Starting to wonder if something happened.

[white89gt]

Got it in today! Works like a champ. Had to get a new (longer) bottom bolt, and use some washers for spacers, but the little Yaris has a 100 amp alternator in it now.

Here's some pics.... don't know if it's worth doing a write-up/how-to or not....

[06YarisRS]

Got it in today! Works like a champ. Had to get a new (longer) bottom bolt, and use some washers for spacers, but the little Yaris has a 100 amp alternator in it now.

Here's some pics.... don't know if it's worth doing a write-up/how-to or not....

Nice upgrade! I don't see the pics. I think members would appreciate a write up with pics. I know I would. Thanks.

[white89gt]

Sorry... They were gigantic so I resized them, lol.

Thanks!

[xdarkxfirex]

I dont think there is really a need to upgrade on these cars. Not too many electronics to drain it, and mine usually charged at a steady 14.2-14.3v

[white89gt]

There is if you put a stereo in it. Surely I'm not the only one that likes to feel their music.

[xdarkxfirex]

Maybe, but I have never had a problem with this car draining. Most aftermarket batteries also are sold with larger cca than the factory battery.

[white89gt]

I think you are confused on what CCA's are. CCA means Cold Cranking Amps. This only matters when you start the vehicle. Your vehicle is intended to only use the battery to start it, not run it. After it starts, it is the alternators job to take over and run all things electronic.

When you run electrical components, in this case the alternator, at a lower duty cycle - they last longer. My car was pulling from the battery... a sign the alternator is struggling. If you just charge your phone and drive, the stock alternator is fine, I agree. But like I say, I've got a stereo installed, and my amplifier alone draws 30 amps. It was dimming my lights, so I came up with a way to replenish the current draw.

If you don't have a need for it, I'm sorry to have wasted your time. I thought some other users may find themselves in the same boat I am with a stereo.

[JimKellyfan]

good idea, thanks / yeah when I hit my window up and it bottoms out, the lights dim, so yeah stock alternator is not enough juice / I know of a great rebuild place in Rock Hill, SC and would feel this would be best option, to trade up, they can getcha one with needed pulley and amp requests I am sure.

[06YarisRS]

white89GT, your thread got me thinking about my own upcoming stereo install. Although my system shouldn't draw more that 25 - 30 amps - at the level/power demands I'll be making - that is still 25 - 30 extra amps demanded by the alternator. I did some searching for upgraded alternators and come up with the following. As soon as I install my stereo, I will get out an amp clamp and depending on the total draw, I may be looking at an upgrade.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIGH-AMP-Toyota-Yaris-2007-2008-2009-1-5L-Denso-Alternator-Remanufactured-11203/253447108935?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Thanks for the post. It's definitely helpful.

[07liftback]

I notice the Yaris stumbling a bit when I turn on the heater (not the AC) which suggests the alternator is quite weak in the Yaris. Never had this issue on the 15 year old Civic I owned back then.
I had a friend who replaced his failing alternator with a rebuilt Denso one and it failed in a year. Was told by an ex mechanic that they usually get their alternators rebuilt at alternator shops who could also upgrade the components. He ended up getting it swapped out at an alternator shop so his old one made up for the core charge.

OP, was your alternator from a 2011 Scion XD? Might be a useful write-up for those of us who want to upgrade if the alternator is failing.

[B.B._07]

I notice the Yaris stumbling a bit when I turn on the heater (not the AC) which suggests the alternator is quite weak in the Yaris. Never had this issue on the 15 year old Civic I owned back then.



Before you go looking to swap an alternator it's best to confirm the alternator is the issue. Get an multi-meter and check if you have ~14V at the battery terminals with the car at idle.

[07liftback]

Before you go looking to swap an alternator it's best to confirm the alternator is the issue. Get an multi-meter and check if you have ~14V at the battery terminals with the car at idle.

Good plan, I'll do a test this weekend. It was mainly an observation since I'm not sure if it's normal for the Yaris engine to hesitate a bit with only the fan on.

[white89gt]

Yes it was from a 2011 Scion XD. Sorry for the late post.

[07liftback]

Funny that I was just responding to this thread last month and my alternator just went out today... Hmm, might be worth it to upgrade, thanks for letting us know =D

[07liftback]

I just popped in an alternator from a 2010 Scion XD and it was surprisingly a bit cheaper than the Yaris one from ebay. The only thing other than using a longer bolt and washers on the bottom is that the pulley is about 1/4"-1/2" larger than the original belt. I would unmounted the old pulley to put on the new one but that seems like a ton of work. Other than that, the belt seemed to get caught on something at the bottom of the engine constantly which took a few tries to get it unhooked.

OP, is the larger pulley going to be an issue?

[DarkShadowFox]

I just popped in an alternator from a 2010 Scion XD and it was surprisingly a bit cheaper than the Yaris one from ebay. The only thing other than using a longer bolt and washers on the bottom is that the pulley is about 1/4"-1/2" larger than the original belt. I would unmounted the old pulley to put on the new one but that seems like a ton of work. Other than that, the belt seemed to get caught on something at the bottom of the engine constantly which took a few tries to get it unhooked.

OP, is the larger pulley going to be an issue?

whats the output on the scion XD vs the stock yaris one.

[07liftback]

Looking at the specs for Duralast alternators on the AutoZone, so this is speculative.

The Duralist alternators that fit a 2008 Yaris, generate 80 amps,
and the Duralast alternators that fit a 2011 Scion xD output 100 amps.

https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/alternator

That's correct. I'm just hoping the wider pulley won't cause issues down the road. I don't exactly have an impact gun that'll remove the bolt holding in the pulley on both alternators.

Also, I've heard bad things about the autozone recertified alternators for both their economy and premium lines.

[07liftback]

Belt's squealing badly with the wider pulley or it could be that I put too much tension on it. Will re-adjust it and see if the problem persists. It's intermittent at the moment but will see if a shop will be able to swap pulleys for me for a fee.

Something the OP glossed over was the fact that it was REALLY difficult getting the bottom bolt aligned when sliding it through the center and threading it onto the other side. A ratcheting wrench would make it much easier once you get the threads started (which again is a PITA!). The washers will be impossible to put on without gluing them together first.

[07liftback]

Turns out the pulley is completely different. The one on the Scion XD is a clutch type:
https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/alternator-pulley/dorman-alternator-pulley/546684_0_0

The one on the Yaris is a typical pulley held in by a 22mm hex nut. Not only is the Scion XD pulley wider, there are 6 grooves on it and the Yaris one also has 6 grooves. You're basically putting the 6 groove belt on 4 grooves of the XD pulley. I readjusted the belt and it's still squealing really bad.

After probably ruining my belt, and having to resell this XD alternator, I will now purchase a 2012 Yaris alternator instead from a lower mileage Yaris. Although the connectors are the same and you can get it to fit with a longer bolt, the OP should've addressed these issues before leading people to think it was a simple upgrade. This upgrade does not work unless you find a way to attach the old pulley on the XD alternator. Also, the XD alternator doesn't fit snug enough and that slight vibration is enough to make the belt squeal LOUD.

[fourbangingfun]

I have 212k miles on my 07 Sedan, and hooked up an after market headunit with a 500watt amp + subwoofer about a year ago. The stock alternator powers it just fine - no lights dimming or anything. I DID however have to have the alternator refurbished at a local alternator/starter rebuild shop because the bearing was making noise. This was at approx 180k miles. It was still charging just fine at this point. My guy said he went into it and cleaned up all the contacts and replaced the bearing. Still running fine all these miles later.