Alternator seized?

**Dust** · 22-04-2007, 03:15 PM

Well during the week I started the Aristo only to be greeted by it screaming at me. Quick look in the engine bay and I can see that the alternator appears to be seized as it is not turning. Just now I pulled it out to get it repaired and I can spin it freely and it seems to be fine, there is no play in it at all.

What I would like to know is could it be that when the sideways tension of the belt is on it, there is enough force to make it seize and I just cant simulate that using my hands? I'm stumped, please help

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**Dale** · 22-04-2007, 03:22 PM

It wasn't just the belt slipping?

If not that.. does anything else run off that belt?

I guess it could be the sideways tension of the belt, seems kinda unlikely though

**Dust** · 22-04-2007, 03:38 PM

Everything runs off the one belt, PS, AC, etc. It was pretty tight and the alternator was the only one not turning. Guess I could throw it back in and give it another go, but if it happens again it will probably happen when I am at work or somewhere else that isnt my driveway.

**HAVABEER** · 22-04-2007, 07:04 PM

if the alternator has seized, shouldn't the battery light come on in your dash board?

so it doesnt spin easily/freely by hand when the belt is off?

**Dust** · 22-04-2007, 07:40 PM

well I didnt really give it any time to come on, it was fine when I last drove it, then when I started it in the morning, the belt was howling its ass off, upon inspection the alternator was not spinning and the belt was just rubbing over it.

With the alternator out it spins free and there is no play or grind int he spinning.

**oldcorollas** · 22-04-2007, 07:45 PM

does the alt have external fan? was there anything obstructing it?

if the bearing was siezed, it would not turn over when out of the car...
it is spins fine and is not rough when out of the car, then something else is wrong..

perhaps pull the back off and check that the brushes haven't worn down and fallen out...

basically.. open er up, check bearing is still smooth, check for FOD and reassemble...

turning outside car and not turning inside is kind of unusual.

**thechuckster** · 22-04-2007, 09:45 PM

unless that was some FOD in the belt that subsequently fell out upon removal of belt?

Could have had something wedged against the pulley that was stopping the alt pulley from turning.

**Dust** · 22-04-2007, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by thechuckster

unless that was some FOD in the belt that subsequently fell out upon removal of belt?

Could have had something wedged against the pulley that was stopping the alt pulley from turning.

I am thinking that might be possible, I will have a look at the belt tomorrow and see if it is damaged, could probably use a new one anyway, it looks kinda shabby. I woul go take a look right now but it is raining, damn droughts.

**sbyder** · 23-04-2007, 07:28 PM

90916-02310 Serpentine belt, $28 from Sci-Fleet Toyota, Address 469 Gympie Road
Kedron QLD 4031 phone: 33610000

Just tell them that you are a toyota club member and you'll get the discount. They'll probly tell you the part number is for a bolt, just tell them to search on the world wide system.