How to get around a failed alternator in the bush?

[Doug32 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Doug32]

I worry about having a failed alternator while on a remote run so the obvious answer is to carry a spare. (Just another thing to lug around.) However, should the alt on my 2015 automatic D4D fail, could I limp along just using the charge stored in the battery. If so, how long would a typical 100AH battery last in such a situation if all electrical accessories were turned off. I am not sure how much power is used by the CPU but when that goes then that's it. I thought if the vehicle can still be driven even a short distance, then having solar panels to charge the battery may get me far enough along the track to where help is at hand. Thanks in advance for any information.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Where to start....what if an injector fails, fuel pump, ecu...and the list goes on.

[zoc Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zoc]

if you really want to know, do a controlled test. discount the alternator and go for a drive. this is the only was you'll be happy with an answer, anyone else experience and situation will vary. just take a jump battery with you to get back home, once you reconnect the battery.

oh i trust that your current alternator is working, but it just a what if question. if your alternator is dicky just change/overhaul it.

good luck and let us know.

[Doug32 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Doug32]

This makes good sense Zoc. I will just this and hope it does not damage the electronics.

[starbuck76 Member Find all posts View Profile Close starbuck76]

I've just recently had to drive around without a working alternator while waiting for a new one to arrive (12 days from Melb to Perth, thanks Auspost).
I did not do any night driving but on one occasion managed to drive a 2 hour trip with 5 stops along the way and aircon on high without any problems. As long as your battery is in good nick and you're sensible about using electric power, eg turn radio/GPS off and limit cranking the engine, you should be able to get at least 2 to 3 hours driving without any problems.
I sincerely doubt you would do any damage to the electronics as there is no difference running the battery flat or just having a flat battery.

[JohnLynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnLynn]

Oh for the good old days when diesel engines had a mechanical injector pump and once running would keep going regardless of whether they had electrical power or not.
How complicated is a Prado alternator and can spares be obtained and hence carried? I ask as the only alternators that I have experience with on mainly marine engines had three components that were likely to fail. Brushes, regulator and rectifiers all of which could be easily carried as spares and changed in reasonable time.
As mentioned I have no idea how a Prado alternator works so would appreciate somebody explaining if they still have an internal regulator for instance, or whether the voltage/output is controlled by the ECU.

[Doug32 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Doug32]

I've just recently had to drive around without a working alternator while waiting for a new one to arrive (12 days from Melb to Perth, thanks Auspost).
I did not do any night driving but on one occasion managed to drive a 2 hour trip with 5 stops along the way and aircon on high without any problems. As long as your battery is in good nick and you're sensible about using electric power, eg turn radio/GPS off and limit cranking the engine, you should be able to get at least 2 to 3 hours driving without any problems.
I sincerely doubt you would do any damage to the electronics as there is no difference running the battery flat or just having a flat battery.

Hi Starbuck 76. What vehicle was this?

[starbuck76 Member Find all posts View Profile Close starbuck76]

Hi Doug,

2011 VX auto
I haven't done a full autopsy yet on the original alternator, but it isn't the brushes which would be a cheap fix. When I get time I will find the problem and post here. Also, changing the bloody thing out is a bitch and not what I would want to do out bush. As mentioned above, if you start worrying about an alternator where do you stop? In my opinion Prados are incredibly reliable.

[Guest Close Guest]

Mine failed out bush, Battery lasted that night for about 4 hours, 6 hours driving the next day, and started going funny (radio reception dropped out first) at about 10Pm at night. Made it home, went to start car next morning and battery flat. So maybe 12 hours max?

[Doug32 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Doug32]

Hi Piggy this is good information. I wonder if just pulling the alt fuse would do the trick to see how long my battery will last. I don't really want to mess around trying to remove the electrical assembly that connects up the alt.

[Guest Close Guest]

Forgot to add, was at night for about 4 hours so lights and hi beams being used regularly.. I cant comment on pulling a fuse to try it. Your weakening systems like batteries and such and likely going to get ECU codes thrown. Weigh that up with damage the testing may create to the chance of an actual failure happening in the bush..

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Piggy has given you a good idea as to how long you can travel for, I personally would not risk a trial run as the engine may die when you need it.
The actual run time will vary on the state of health of your battery, how many Ah the batteries is etc. Also keep in mind if you have traction control
etc that the brake booster has an electric pump.

If you carry a solar panel then you drive till the battery drops to a reasonable value then camp up while it recharges then drive on etc, some places
we have been have been 5 days or more from anywhere your likely to get a replacement alternator.

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

we had a 76 series in our group loose an alternator after playing in the mud
at first we kept flushing it with water and it went again, but it did die completely a few hrs later
we pulled it out and the mud was stuck in the brush unit, which we simply unscrewed and fiddled wit it & sprayed crc and blew out
you need a bit of fine hard wire like mig wire to hold them in the out position to reinstall then pull the wire out and refit it

i traveled up to the cape & back, (carrying a spare alternator after fitting a new one) went through all the creeks
didn't have alternator issues
has starter issues later on
had P0046 code and went into limp mode
worked out it was the turbo actuator , kept soaking it with crc, a cough and fart 400km later it came back to life
the item you need to worry about on the turbo is the one at the front of the turbo as it isn't sealed, spray it first so water cant get in
AND you can buy that part from Toyota, they just don't know it's the bit for the turbo (p/n 8945752010) $172 comes up as transmission sensor

pics added
you don't need the mig wire for the prado alternator to refit the brush unit
the other issue with the alternator is the pulley on the front goes, these can be replaced , but a bit hard in the bush as there is a special tool required

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]