I have a 2003 v6 4runner. The battery light came on the other day and using a OBDII scanner i see that the car is not generating any electricity. I am thinking i need a new Alternator. The stealer wants $700 to put it in but i have done them in the past (i did 2 in a old honda). Questions i have are, is this most likely the Alternator? if so how hard is it to get it in? This car has the one big serpentine belt and i can see one bolt on the Alternator. Is there an other bolt? and once unbolted is there room to take it out? looks like it can come forward but i am not sure there is enough room (one thing for sure is the radiator hose is in the way). the fan may also have to come out.
what do you guys think?

thank you

FYI i am a single mom that needs to save money any chance i get and i have been known to turn a wrench in the past.

 

after looking at it again i see there is a bolt under it as well. It looks like 2 bolts take it off one 4 prong plug, one large wire (to the battery i think) then it should come out. That part looks easy. but then How do it take it out. I know the belt has to come off. Please if anyone knows how to do this let me know. I can buy a rebuilt alternator from auto zone for $125 vs the $700 the stealer wants. thank you

 

on my 97 i pushed it out through the bottom but i dont have a skidplate so it was easy. i had to remove the bottom part of the fan shroud too, and i got lots of scraped knukles from it. it may be differnt for you though sense you have a 4th gen 4runner.

 

First off, where are you located.

Second, don't buy that junk from autozone. Find either a good used alternator, or a reman Denso. You can also get a reman from Toyota for a decent price. Use part number 27060-31021-84 and go to Toyotapartsales.com

 

Look into possibly just replacing the brushes, that may be all it needs and costs less than $25 to do it, it isn't the same as yours but I did the brushes on my wifes alternator, I pulled it from the top but I have an electric fan so no big shroud.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f131...uy-one-224509/

 

I second that, my truck has an aftermarket alternator from Napa or something, the PO put it in a week before I got the truck and the charge light still comes on every once in a while.

 

I live in MA, no one has said how hard it is to get one out of a 4th gen car. Has anyone done this job? or anyone have the manual? thank you

 

I looked in the factory service manual for a 2003 V8. It looks like you have to remove the fan shroud, fan, belt, etc., to get it out.