2001 TOYOTA AVALON ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT - DIY - BOSCH ALTERNATOR

danthefixitman....
amzn.to/2M4LTe5 - BOSCH Alternator used in the video
amzn.to/2K3gu94 - Long Handle Socket Wrench 3/8"
amzn.to/2M3Q8q8 - Mountain MTNRM1214 Ratcheting Double Box Flex Wrench, 12x14mm
amzn.to/2VHkUov - M12 Milwaukee Drill
amzn.to/2wfGUwq - M18 Milwaukee Fuel Impact Wrench (I used it to change the pulleys)
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Just a quick video showing how to replace the alternator on a 2001 Toyota Avalon. This is the 1MZFE 3.0 v6 engine which is also used in the Toyota Camry, Toyota Solara, Lexus ES300, and Lexus RX300. The alternator used in the video is a remanufactured unit from BOSCH. I am very happy with the quality and fit for this application. I changed the pulley because the replacement pulley was larger than the stock pulley on the alternator that I removed. I had a little trouble lining up the lock bolt upon installation, but I don't think that had anything to do with the new alternator. Removing the two 14mm nuts and the 12mm bolt that hold the adjuster bracket in place made lining up the lock bolt possible. I also had to push the metal insert or pivot bolt sleeve out just a little bit to make the replacement alternator fit the pivot point on the engine. I didn't show this in the video, but it was easy to do in the bench vise.
WARNING: I held the alternator pulley with my hand while using the impact wrench on the pulley nut. I know this is dangerous and I recommend you use something else to hold the pulley. You can easily get hurt doing this.
The tools used in the video:
small flathead screwdriver
10mm wrench and/or socket
12mm wrench and/or socket
14mm wrench and/or socket
It helps to have a few different lengths of socket wrenches and socket extensions including a universal extension or long wobble extension for the adjuster bolt.
Also, just wanted to say thank you to BOSCH for sending me this alternator.
Thanks for watching!
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-Dan the Fix it Man
www.danthefixitman.org
Song used in the video is ''Scratch the Itch'' by Quincas Moreira
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[@musicislife704]

Thx Alot! First time working on a car and you saved me money! My alternator went out and put me on side of freeway and i came home watched your video and was able to replace mine myself and was back on road next day thx alot bud!!!

[@DantheFixitMan]

You're welcome! Glad to hear my video helped you out. Thanks for watching! -Dan the Fix it Man

[@sarazdad2]

Thank you so much for the honest depiction. I spent hours trying to get that bottom bolt in. Using your technique I got it on the first try. Thank you again!

[@aggrex]

Great step-by-step instructional video. Just in time as my '97 Avalon alternator just quit during my quest for 300K

[@Tennesseestorm76]

I also have a 2001 Avalon with 253k miles I have owned for over a year and have an issue with "flickering/pulsating" lights inside and outside of the car. This has went on for months, but getting worse. It seems to be a common issue on these cars. I was told several different things it could be, but most seem to say it is the alternator and can be taken care of by using a 130 amp alternator out of a Toyota Highlander of the same years that had this same engine. I purchased one, haven't installed it yet, but hope it resolves the issue. This video was helpful in me deciding if I wanted to do this myself and due to the lack of many tools, I will probably get my mechanic to do it. I do hope it is a simple swap out. They appear to be the same.

[@markmcneary5119]

Have a 2001 Toyota Avalon XLS it's 2022 and my lights just started doing this,just wondering if it was alternator? Thank you

[@roltyd22]

@@markmcneary5119 I got an 03 same here,new alternator, battery couple new grounds no luck..I've seen where people said it couldn't be fixed i think a 130 amp alternator is my last resort

[@roltyd22]

Did that fix your flickering lights?

[@favorites51066]

Yep 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS here.. flickering lights almost since I purchased it 5 years ago used. I have read that that's just what they do. Lame

[@dondelong6830]

Thank you for showing the issues with lining up the bottom bolt. This is why I had to come to KZbin because I too am having issues lining that bolt up. Some videos show everything going back super easy so I'm glad that I found your video and to know that I'm not the only one experiencing issues. :D

[@Riklott1111]

Thx. I fixed my 2001 XLS. Today. I was reading it cost between 644- 738.00. the stupid new alternator price is 350.00! I went to a junk yard, got one for 38.00. but your tutorial helped, especially the adjusting pieces. I knew I wasn't buying the Bosch when I saw your belt wheel was 1/4 inch off, that's ridiculous and if you dont have an impact or a vise. Thx for the tips

[@brucebrumbalow4526]

Most realistic alternator video I've found, because the hardest job is putting back the bottom lock bolt. Most videos just say "Put it back." But putting the bottom lock bolt back is harder than the rest of the job. I have a 2000 Sienna rather than an Avalon. I had to drain the power steering reservoir to remove the hose. I have large hands, and Toyota failed to provide enough room. I tried removing the passenger tire, but the metal wheel well is in the way, and tried coming from underneath, but the AC hoses are in the way. Toyota should make their engineers have to try replacing these common parts before they finalize their designs. Only a young teen or child could reach a hand in the Sienna space while holding a bolt. These sideways engines are designed without maintenance in mind.

[@manvelmkrtchyan8939]

they were made for asians so it makes sense. their new cars are obviously a lot bigger but it is what it is for the older ones.

[@ericgordon4746]

Brother, very well thought out video. So I'm a professional Honda mechanic and I got a side job on this particular car recently. I watched your video and I'm insanely impressed by your presentation of said job. You helped me so much!!! I had to to the job at the customers home and thank you letting me know what tools I needed to use, that was what I was looking for specifically. What socket sizes. Thank great sir!!! Much love!!!❤

[@DantheFixitMan]

Thx Eric! So glad to hear my video was helpful! Thx for watching! -Dan the Fix it Man

[@musicislife704]

Guy this also worked for 2002 Avalon Toyota i followed the steps and replaced mine just heads up!!! Out!

[@DantheFixitMan]

Yes, you are correct. It should be the same for 2000-2004. Thanks again for watching, and for the helpful comment. Glad to hear you're back on the road, and congrats on your first time fixing your car! Take care, -Dan the Fix it Man

[@leaacanales7754]

hey I have a 2002 Avalon and idk if it's my battery or alternator. It took about four cranks to get it to start. once we drove off it just kept getting weaker. the lights inside the car turned off and even stopped marking my speed. what do u guys think?

[@DantheFixitMan]

@@leaacanales7754 It might be the alternator going bad which is causing the battery to drain. The best thing to do would be to take it to an automotive parts store and have them test both the alternator and the battery. They should be able to test both of them without taking them out of the car. Or, if you have a voltmeter and/or battery load tester, you can do it as well. Best of luck to you! -Dan the Fix it Man

[@sean7837]

Got er done for my little sis👊🏽 easy repair, REALLY appreciate the video. Glad I read through the comments, I don't have any air tools and replacing that pulley would have been a beep* lol The pulley on the new alternator I put in was almost 3 and a quarter inches compared to the 2 and 1/2 in one I removed. Adjusting the lower screw facing the headlights was an easy fix, thank goodness! Thanks again for the video!

[@timothyjohns8630]

Instead of swapping pulleys, the belt tensioner (being the nut and blot holding the alternator on) is adjustable, could have easily compensated for that extra 1/4 inch.

[@sean7837]

Thank goodness for your comment! The new Pulley was 3/4 of an inch larger, adjusted the bolt like you said with no issues. Thanks again👊🏽

[@obsnation8453]

But you also have to remember with a larger pulley it won’t be charging as much as the stock one therefore causing potential voltage loss

[@ericwilliams2786]

Thanks for video I just spent 45mins trying to get the lock bolt in I finally did but without removing anything or the big bolt up top omg though it wore me out and my hands are shaking

[@demetriosjones677]

Hardest part of the job need to give extra time for that and my back was hurting

[@alexalanis4830]

Thanks Dan for making this video. Got lucky with the lock bolt and got it to line right up.

[@DantheFixitMan]

Glad to hear! Take care, -Dan

[@swampfox9162]

Saw the passenger headlight assembly was removed. If you mentioned it, my apologies but I missed it. I pulled my headlight when I changed my alternator on my 2004 Avalon.

[@stevenharrison2616]

Thanks a bunch for the video. Took about an hour to replace mine.

[@khakimal]

love your video 😍😍😍😍😍you explained pretty good and clear + diagram. thank you very much for your time to show us how to do it correctly 😍😍😍😍😍

[@stevensanchez330]

I got a duralast gold alternator brand new , makes a wine I loosened it to try to get rid of it thinking it was too tight but then it squealed with ac on so I know once it squeals it’s too loose so I tightened back again to what seems like a normal tightness and it still makes the noise. Should I tighten it more or is that just how the autozone ones are (have some noise) I don’t wanna overtighten.

[@Rickv1960]

I just replaced the alternator on my daughters 2001 Avalon. That bottom bolt is a pain anyway you try it. My hands are fat and my fingers are short which made it even more difficult. Took me over an hour to get it back in. I found that removing the top radiator hose helped tremendously in getting the alternator out and the new one in. In my case the pivot bolt was not the correct size and it snapped when I went to remove it. The size bolt it called for at my local auto parts store was a M10 1.5 100. The bolt that I snapped trying to get it out was a M10 1.00 100. Neither of those sizes worked for the replacement. The correct size was a M10 1.25 100 and it fit perfectly in the new alternator. Another hint for tightening the tensioner bolt is to see where it is transitions from shiny to dull on the threads and get it back to the original position. Getting the tension correct will be very close to that.

[@jeremygeorgemusic]

I remember when I could fix an alternator in a car, not sure i could in a car today

[@333ministries]

Thank you. your video was excellent in presentation as it was in its instruction.

[@Ashwynn88]

Do you know if the alternator AND the compressor have to be removed when replacing the serpentine belt on a '01? There's nothing on how to replace serpentine belts 😭

[@fullmelt977]

At what point did you feel the need to replace the alternator? I have the same model, my lights are fluctuating in my car and my battery is fine. I’m thinking it’s time to replace alternator. It’s got 260k miles.

[@bdpgroovin]

Love the walk through. Very helpful. I am stuck at trying to flip the pulley from the old to the new. I don't have an impact wrench. Any other options?

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

Hold the pulley with a channellock pliers and use a ratchet and socket.

[@josephruiz82]

Thank you, man! This video help a lot!!

[@ArmyK5Guy]

Bolt snapped on tensioner . The bolt that sets the tension . Easy to replace ? It was late and I stopped at that point lol

[@lucidbarrier]

I just found it easier to remove that adjustment block entirely and then thread the "locking bolt" in. Otherwise, that stupid bolt doesn't want to line up correctly. A 3/8" cordless ratchet makes doing this a breeze.

[@hokie9910]

I’m not sure I understand. I am having major issues with this step. Would you mind giving a bit more detail on your way of doing this? I’m not sure how you can remove the block entirely and still get tension on the alternator to tighten the belt

[@firesaturn]

I just need to change my belt on my 01 Avalon, do I need to just loosen the bottom bolt and that’s it?

[@roltyd22]

My alternator jumps from 13.6 down to 12.4 and my battery wont go above 12.4 standing is that normal?

[@adnankksehick1513]

I got 2011 Avalon. Should I replace it with OEM?

[@53pebbles]

Hi Dan, can you do a video on how to install a high pressure A/C line on your car ( mazda 3 2006 ) PLEASE!!

[@DantheFixitMan]

I haven't done one yet, but here's a video showing how to replace the high pressure A/C line in a mazda6 if it helps... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV6yc2CDZtyIb7c It's not my video, but looks like it has some decent info about the process. You might have to rent the vacuum pump at your local auto parts store if you don't have one already. Best of luck to you! -Dan the Fix it Man

[@timothyjohns8630]

Just braze/ solder the leak

[@PickyOne]

9:02 I like your fake Spanish LOL

[@dannewbold1385]

¡Grácias amigo! -Dan the Fix it Man

[@abdou6003]

not fake at all

[@izzywalker471]

Curious what type of lifespan/mileage everyone is getting from their original Toyota alternators with this generation of Avalon?

[@502hubb8]

Mine went out at 250k

[@502hubb8]

On my 01 avalon

[@izzywalker471]

@@502hubb8 my 2003 the alternator regulator was getting wonky and unpredictable at about 200K so I replaced it with one that was OEM pulled with about 75K miles on it which is why I asked. I was almost sure an original with that many miles would still outlast a rebuilt one and probably the car at this point which from what I've found and what you say is probably about right.

[@MiguelRPD]

130k on mine

[@Blowone-h1i]

182,000 on mine

[@ShoeGameA1]

How you get the belt on so easy?

[@DantheFixitMan]

As long as the tension is removed on the long adjuster bolt and you have the belt lined up properly in the grooves of the crankshaft pulley and the air conditioning pulley, it should go on pretty easily to the alternator. If it's a new belt, you might want to make sure that you have the correct size/length if you're still having trouble with it. Best of luck to you! -Dan the Fix it Man

[@lightasafeather9750]

No one shows removing the belt and I'm stuck on that

[@DantheFixitMan]

There should be a diagram on the belt routing under the hood. Basically you just need to push the tensioner enough to fit the belt back on. Best of luck to you! -Dan the Fix it Man

[@doginu]

Downer Dan....