Voltage Regulator question(s)

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by nortonfb

The only symptom I had was the battery light. I had the voltage regulator and battery tested, just to double check my own test. I was afraid of being stranded and bought a used alternator (2012) from a wrecker for less than $40.
Actually found the fuse by accident, thanks to something CT had mentioned.
Now that I have a alternator back up, I'm sure the original one will never fail...
Norton

Wow, that's cheap. After reading Scott's post #7, I was going to reply with the question...Which is cheaper, a rebuilt alternator (remanufactured?) or one from a wrecker/junkyard? Your post answered my question. I was either in Missouri or Iowa (on my way to the Twin Cities) in 2010 when I could tell, re how my '07 was performing, that either the battery or the alternator was starting to fail. I had replaced the battery a bit over 20,000 miles before that, so I didn't think it was the battery. I barely made it to Burnsville, MN (Twin Cities metro, south side). I stopped by the Toyota dealer there and they wanted between $600-700 for a new alternator...just the part. There was a Sears in a shopping center on the other side of the freeway. I went to Sears...and I also barely made it there. The service writer called around to different suppliers. Only one place had any, and they only had one. He said 'They do the best job (I forget what term he used...rewinding? rebuilding? remanufacturing?), so if only one is available I'm glad it is their work'. The cost was about an even $300 including installation. It's still in the car 4 3/4 years and 140,000 or so miles later.