Possible alternator issue?

[aophoto Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close aophoto]

Hey guys, sorry if there is info out about this already, I have search but can't find anything.
I have a 2015 GXL (3.0L) Auto, purchased in June last year.

This afternoon I have had the "battery light" come on and a weird humming type noise coming from the near the alternator. Can't see any obvious signs of belt damage or anything. I had a dual battery installed by the local auto electrician last year (not real sure on the specifics) and have used it for a fridge once or twice, works really well. Definitely haven't worked it out but. Any ideas? I have Toyota looking at it tomorrow, I just don't want them to try the old "non Toyota parts or work" and not cover the alternator if it is in fact damaged.

Cheers.
Alex

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Hey guys, sorry if there is info out about this already, I have search but can't find anything.
I have a 2015 GXL (3.0L) Auto, purchased in June last year.

This afternoon I have had the "battery light" come on and a weird humming type noise coming from the near the alternator. Can't see any obvious signs of belt damage or anything. I had a dual battery installed by the local auto electrician last year (not real sure on the specifics) and have used it for a fridge once or twice, works really well. Definitely haven't worked it out but. Any ideas? I have Toyota looking at it tomorrow, I just don't want them to try the old "non Toyota parts or work" and not cover the alternator if it is in fact damaged.

Cheers.
Alex

You get the odd one, alt has probably shagged out.
Please let us know once sorted what it was.
Cheers!

[cmilton54 Find all posts View Profile Close cmilton54]

I have a 2013 150 32,000kms
Alt light would come on and go off randomly.
Driving to Port Augusta the other weekend, light came on and stayed on about 40ks from the port. Went into Toyota dealer and they did not want to look at it, I said car is still running in the street as I did not want to turn if off as fault was showing up. They finally agreed to look and it was low voltage output.
Finally got a new alt replaced under warranty.
Warranty runs out end of next week.

[JimmyC Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JimmyC]

Certainly sounds like a shagged alternator. If you have a multimeter check the voltage at the battery when the car is running. Should show above 13 volts (13.6-14.5 optimal I believe). Don't go driving anywhere too much as if your alternator is broken your battery will eventually run out of juice and the car will stop. Also running the starter battery dead is bad for it.
The dual battery system shouldn't affect the alternator at all, yes the alt will have to work harder at times to keep both batteries topped up but the shortened lifespan from that is negligible.

[aophoto Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close aophoto]

Cheers for the insights guys. Just heard from Toyota, yep alternator is dead. Little bit angry with the response i got from them though, they have told me I won't have the car back until next Wed/Thurs and didn't offer me any form of loan car or anything, just offered me a discounted rate for a rental, why the hell is it my responsibility to pay $400 for rental when it's a Toyota issue on 12 month old car....not real happy.

[aophoto Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close aophoto]

Got the prado back today. The alternator was replaced under warranty which is good. Problem is, they told me it was water damaged from the latest run of rain ahaha. I asked the service manager what would happen if I ever tried to do a water crossing and he just said, "yeah it'll probably get damaged in the water" hahah great!