Dealer says I need new alternator in '07 Hatchback Yaris HELP! - Toyota Yaris Forums

polkacowboy · 08-18-2010, 10:31 AM

I took my car to the dealer with 64K miles on it (Out of the 30k warranty) they said it needs a new alternator. That they wont cover it and I will have to pay to have it replaced. I think this is crazy. I mean its only 3 years old. Should they stand behind the part even though its it 64K miles? is there anything I can do? Any input would be great! Thank so much!

mark7337 · 08-18-2010, 10:34 AM

I just got my alternator replaced thank god for parents mine was an 07 but i have about 85k miles on it i started having trouble when it rained down here in fl the car wouldn't start then one morning it wouldn't start my parents had it towed to central fl Toyota they said it was the alternator. long story short it cost my parents about 800 dollars

CTScott · 08-18-2010, 11:03 AM

There are many threads on this issue, but the bottom line is on 07 Yaris, the voltage regulator within the alternator is prone to corrosion. If you miss having it replaced under warranty there are a few options including:

1. Replace the alternator with a junkyard one off a 2008+ Yaris.
2. Replace the voltage regulator within the alternator.

#1 can be found for under $100 if you shop around. Replacement is very easy and takes less than 30 minutes. If you don't want to do it yourself, a local independent garage would probably do it for 1 hour labor.

#2 Can be purchased for ~$50. This requires disassembly of the alternator as shown in the first thread below.

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...05&postcount=2

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...tage+regulator

RedRide · 08-18-2010, 11:31 AM

Is that to say that an '08+ altenator is not prone to to this issue?

CTScott · 08-18-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRide

Is that to say that an '08+ altenator is not prone to to this issue?

So says the TSB and I haven't seen anyone complain of the issue with an 08+ Yaris thus far.

polkacowboy · 08-18-2010, 11:59 AM

What is the TSB?

CTScott · 08-18-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polkacowboy

What is the TSB?

http://www.etimago.com/yaris/TSB/T-E...t%20ON%20).pdf

polkacowboy · 08-18-2010, 12:47 PM

Well the reason I took the car in was because it was making buzzing sound when I would run the car. Buzzing is a bad way to put it. It sounded like a fan that was too close to a guard or a belt that was broken and has a piece of it hitting something. The sound was not very loud just Super annoying to me. Could that be because of the alternator? I know nothing about cars and yeah..lol. I took it to my normal mechanic and he couldn't tell what was making the noise. He thought it might be something in the electric steering of the car. I am just kinda freaked out because no lights were on or anything. And it would suck to have them replace the alternator and have that not be the problem.

CTScott · 08-18-2010, 12:59 PM

Those symptoms are definitely not related to the TSB. If the alternator is making the noise, then you should hear it loudest on the passenger side if you open the hood with the engine running.

If it is a bad bearing in the alternator, make sure that you get and 08+ alternator to avoid the TSB issue in the future.

polkacowboy · 08-18-2010, 01:03 PM

yes it was loudest on that side with the hood open. Thank you so much for your help! I will make sure to get an 08' alternator. Do you think I have a chance in getting toyota to help cover the parts? I mean it is only 3 years old.

CTScott · 08-18-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polkacowboy

yes it was loudest on that side with the hood open. Thank you so much for your help! I will make sure to get an 08' alternator. Do you think I have a chance in getting toyota to help cover the parts? I mean it is only 3 years old.

Unlikely, since if it is mechanical failure of the bearing, that is typically caused by over-tightening of the belt.

birdman · 09-01-2010, 03:28 AM

I love my '08!

Sir A.Y. Atoyot · 09-01-2010, 12:09 PM

$800 for a replacement alternator? Outrageous!

A better resource than a Toyota dealer for off-warrantee alternator or starter repairs would be a good auto electric shop. They can get repair parts for these units - if worst comes to worst, a good, guaranteed rebuilt alternator shouldn't cost more than around $300.

Yarisduder · 09-01-2010, 08:48 PM

What other cars use the same alternator without the TSB problem, I'm not having much luck finding any '08+ locally.

I guess I should say there are no Scions in Canada.

CTScott · 09-01-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yarisduder

What other cars use the same alternator without the TSB problem, I'm not having much luck finding any '08+ locally.

I guess I should say there are no Scions in Canada.

Nothing, not even Scions, use the same one as the Yaris. There are probably ones that would work, but without comparing specs, pinouts and connectors I couldn't say which.

Yarisduder · 09-01-2010, 09:21 PM

Shucks. Guess I'll be ordering from the States.

JumpmanYaris · 02-18-2012, 08:08 PM

<< this guy right here is gonna need one

JumpmanYaris · 02-18-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

Nothing, not even Scions, use the same one as the Yaris. There are probably ones that would work, but without comparing specs, pinouts and connectors I couldn't say which.

Would you say the sedan uses the same as the LB?

09-01-2010, 08:48 PM	#14
Yarisduder Drives: 2007 4dr Sedan Silver Streak Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 73	What other cars use the same alternator without the TSB problem, I'm not having much luck finding any '08+ locally. I guess I should say there are no Scions in Canada. __________________

09-01-2010, 09:21 PM	#16
Yarisduder Drives: 2007 4dr Sedan Silver Streak Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 73	Shucks. Guess I'll be ordering from the States. __________________

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08-18-2010, 10:31 AM	#1
polkacowboy Drives: Toyota Yaris 07 hatchback Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Omaha NE Posts: 4	Dealer says I need new alternator in '07 Hatchback Yaris HELP! I took my car to the dealer with 64K miles on it (Out of the 30k warranty) they said it needs a new alternator. That they wont cover it and I will have to pay to have it replaced. I think this is crazy. I mean its only 3 years old. Should they stand behind the part even though its it 64K miles? is there anything I can do? Any input would be great! Thank so much!

08-18-2010, 10:34 AM	#2
mark7337 Drives: black yaris Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: FL Posts: 26	I just got my alternator replaced thank god for parents mine was an 07 but i have about 85k miles on it i started having trouble when it rained down here in fl the car wouldn't start then one morning it wouldn't start my parents had it towed to central fl Toyota they said it was the alternator. long story short it cost my parents about 800 dollars

08-18-2010, 11:03 AM	#3
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	There are many threads on this issue, but the bottom line is on 07 Yaris, the voltage regulator within the alternator is prone to corrosion. If you miss having it replaced under warranty there are a few options including: 1. Replace the alternator with a junkyard one off a 2008+ Yaris. 2. Replace the voltage regulator within the alternator. #1 can be found for under $100 if you shop around. Replacement is very easy and takes less than 30 minutes. If you don't want to do it yourself, a local independent garage would probably do it for 1 hour labor. #2 Can be purchased for ~$50. This requires disassembly of the alternator as shown in the first thread below. http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...05&postcount=2 http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...tage+regulator

08-18-2010, 11:31 AM	#4
RedRide Drives: '09 Yaris carmine red 2d HB Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Middletown, NY Posts: 1,501	Is that to say that an '08+ altenator is not prone to to this issue?

08-18-2010, 11:59 AM	#6
polkacowboy Drives: Toyota Yaris 07 hatchback Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Omaha NE Posts: 4	What is the TSB?

08-18-2010, 12:47 PM	#8
polkacowboy Drives: Toyota Yaris 07 hatchback Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Omaha NE Posts: 4	Well the reason I took the car in was because it was making buzzing sound when I would run the car. Buzzing is a bad way to put it. It sounded like a fan that was too close to a guard or a belt that was broken and has a piece of it hitting something. The sound was not very loud just Super annoying to me. Could that be because of the alternator? I know nothing about cars and yeah..lol. I took it to my normal mechanic and he couldn't tell what was making the noise. He thought it might be something in the electric steering of the car. I am just kinda freaked out because no lights were on or anything. And it would suck to have them replace the alternator and have that not be the problem.

08-18-2010, 12:59 PM	#9
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	Those symptoms are definitely not related to the TSB. If the alternator is making the noise, then you should hear it loudest on the passenger side if you open the hood with the engine running. If it is a bad bearing in the alternator, make sure that you get and 08+ alternator to avoid the TSB issue in the future.

08-18-2010, 01:03 PM	#10
polkacowboy Drives: Toyota Yaris 07 hatchback Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Omaha NE Posts: 4	yes it was loudest on that side with the hood open. Thank you so much for your help! I will make sure to get an 08' alternator. Do you think I have a chance in getting toyota to help cover the parts? I mean it is only 3 years old.

09-01-2010, 03:28 AM	#12
birdman Drives: '08 Blazing Blue Yaris LB Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USA Posts: 496	I love my '08!

09-01-2010, 12:09 PM	#13
Sir A.Y. Atoyot Drives: '08 5-door Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Surrey, BC Canada Posts: 176	$800 for a replacement alternator? Outrageous! A better resource than a Toyota dealer for off-warrantee alternator or starter repairs would be a good auto electric shop. They can get repair parts for these units - if worst comes to worst, a good, guaranteed rebuilt alternator shouldn't cost more than around $300.

02-18-2012, 08:08 PM	#17
JumpmanYaris USAF_SrA_E-4 View User's Garage Drives: C300 / Del Sol Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SO. INDIANA Posts: 4,777	<< this guy right here is gonna need one