Replacing the Alternator on The ES300

I hate it when a car leaves you stranded...which is what can happen when your alternator quits charging your battery. Keep your eyes open for warning lights on the dash...but when the time comes, replacing the alternator isn't a big deal with the help of this video.

[@mrpreparedallthetime1099]

Thank you for being so detailed on taking this off. It truly helps.

[@XterraRob]

Happy to help!

[@GSCTHADON]

Process also works on the 2003 es300 model and wow I’m so thankful! This video helped me a lot and I couldn’t be more happy 😃 only problem I had was putting the new alternator on 😂😂😂😂

[@XterraRob]

Happy to help!!!!

[@shwndh]

Thanx for the video. I was able to pull my alternator out of my 2003 ES300. I ended up finding the carbon brush set and just replacing those for $35. Back up and running with the same alternator!

[@XterraRob]

Awesome! Good work!

[@Tylermattrazzo]

Just got my own Lexus ES300 1999 and 1 hour later after driving from the dmv the car died on me. Jump started it and got it to oreilies (idk how to spell it Dont worry about it) and they said the battery is bad. We get a new $150 battery installed and I'm sos on the side of the road 3 hours later. This video is going to really help tomorrow for when I get the new alternator put it. I did a short inspection and found that the bad alternator in the car was not oem and was "remanufactured in Mexico". When I read that sticker on it I knew that was my issue. Thankyou for the video

[@XterraRob]

Happy to help! Hopefully that takes care of your problem!

[@Mr.Potato420]

you made it look easy getting that thing out. I had to toss and turn that thing to get it out in my moms 03

[@XterraRob]

Movie magic! Can't tell you how many times I've thought the same thing watching another video on doing something (IE popping CV axle out of the transmission!! One hit with a hammer and pry bar...done! Hah! Yeah right!) Thanks for watching!

[@jasonblizzard543]

This made me feel confident that I not only could do it, but CAN do it!

[@XterraRob]

You can!!!!

[@robertbernarddenis7188]

Thank you it is very explicit and went over all the possible cause before engaging on changing the alternator and there it was done in a professional manner. This will help me a lot.

[@XterraRob]

Thanks for watching! Happy to help!

[@andrewswensen3464]

Dude what the heck was that Hitachi special do it gun. As if we have access to one of those

[@XterraRob]

Its not that un-attainable. I got mine used for 50 bucks on Craigslist. You can get a socket adapter and use a regular drill...or even use a hand held socket wrench or hand held open end wrench. Not sure what you are getting at to be honest.

[@dashawnwhitted4901]

@@XterraRob right, im more of a use a ratchet by hand guy(i enjoy putting elbow grease with it and have some experiences breaking bolts) this video was very helpful to me. i took out the whole motor on a client's car to get that and the starter out

[@XterraRob]

Ive broken plenty of bolts with hand wrenches...its like my trademark move! For the alternator bolt mentiomed above...its a little cramped to get access and very tedious since you can only get partial turns. Lining up the impact with U-joints or wobble extensions turns it into a 30 second job. Definitley not the only tool that will work though.

[@andrewpribonic8987]

Very helpful video. Thanks for posting!

[@XterraRob]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewpribonic8987]

@@XterraRob Yup you saved me some money. I replaced the battery terminal and she fired right up. I was ready to buy an alternator and starter. I was expecting to pay $200, and I got away with $5

[@sergflex1]

Thanks for the video, Helps a lot.

[@XterraRob]

Thanks for watching and always happy to help!

[@eddiejohnhurst1]

Thanks man!!!

[@suzypops4246]

Thanks. This will help me with mine.

[@XterraRob]

Great, happy to help!

[@MarketingCoachKen]

this might be the best video on this procedure, however would have been even better if you showed the re-installation because I had to figure out how to line up the lower bolt back into the new alternator. The one the goes through the tensioner assembly. The best tip was to unbolt the fuse box for more space to work.

[@XterraRob]

Aweaome glad I could help and thanks for watching!

[@FredFlintstone223]

I ran into that same problem

[@PhilCoomer]

Great Video! The bottom bolt block (not the adjuster) what size was that one?

[@XterraRob]

I dont recall. I used a short socket by hand to test fit and then used a flat box end wrench to get it. I think it was a 10 or 12 mm.

[@FredFlintstone223]

I like to take the voltmeter set it on DC voltage check voltage at battery while motor is running If you have 14 V at battery well motor is running you’re good turn on high beams in blower motor check again if it doesn’t dip below 13 1/2 while motor is running, you’re good

[@XterraRob]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing.

[@YeeiPlay]

Is this a 1993 Lexus?

[@XterraRob]

Mine was a 1999. Lexus ES300

[@draven4464]

I did mine. It's good to have some sand paper to take the excess off the interior where the main bolt sits to fit it onto the block mount cause it can be tight. But after that it was easy

[@XterraRob]

Awesome thanks for the tip!

[@draven4464]

@@XterraRob I appreciate the video, helped a lot. Great car, just gotta keep it rolling after 21 odd years.

[@damienbell3155]

Great video

[@XterraRob]

Thanks for the comment and happy to help!

[@familyman8644]

You didn't have to remove that tensioner adjustment bolt out. Just the bolt from alternator that attaches to tensioner

[@XterraRob]

Thanks for sharing! I coulsnt Tell when how it was all going together so I took everything I could get to for a better look.

[@gregscroggins5396]

Thanks for the tension-er information! So, now, I put the new alternator in and the engine starts like a champ. Nothing else works. no dash lights, gauges, gear selector, no nothin'. I put the OBD reader on the plug and there was no communication. Is this a common side effect of changing an alternator on non-Ford products? Not sure I like it, but... ECM done? what do you thinK?

[@XterraRob]

It shouldn't be a side effect. Alternator should charge the battery and that is all basically. With a fully charged battery and even with no alternator...car should theoretically function fine until the battery drains low enough to make all electrical systems malfunction. Is your battery fully charged? I have a trickle charger I used to fully charge my battery before running the engine after the alternator replacement. That is a tough situation man...hope you are able to trace it down.

[@RETIREDAMATUER]

You’re alternator 120 amp fuse is blown

[@XterraRob]

Duh. Keep it simple. Check fuses first!

[@RETIREDAMATUER]

@@XterraRob clearly buddy didn’t do that and that’s why I mentioned the fuse, he’s getting no communications from Obd so that’s pretty obvious what’s going on

[@kaitlynnicole5678]

Hey could my ac go out if my alternator is bad?

[@XterraRob]

Not likely. Bad alternator will cause a dead battery. Car would run for a little while until the battery completely drains out....so lights will dim, dash will flicker, and AC would eventually go out...but youd have a lot of other electrical issues at the same time.

[@drumbyte]

Great job! Thanks!!!

[@XterraRob]

Happy to help and thanks for watching.

[@vinnnnnnnyyyyy]

Does this also work on the '03 ES300?

[@XterraRob]

This is for third gen ES300s which is 1996 to 2001. 2003 is a 4th gen and I think is different. I don't have one though...so you'd just have to look under the hood to confirm.

[@celestialbeas9214]

hey, where can i go about finding a replacement cable for this alternator? mine was as you said, very brittle, and it messed up the connection on the wire harness. im having problems with the alternator charging the battery.

[@XterraRob]

I never replaced it. I pushed it on as tight as I could and used high temp silicone RTV around the exterior edges to hold it down. Worked good to prevent vibration from loosening it up, but still removable if you need to service it again.

[@celestialbeas9214]

@@XterraRob interesting. anything else stand out to you on this repair that i should look for? i have to drive to work tomorrow with this car, and im scrambling to learn everything i can on this repair. thanks for the help :)

[@mone.1of1]

Ik you get a bunch of notifications but I have a Lexus 2003 es 300 and I have to replace my alternator I was wondering if you have a list of tools u can give me 😭😭😭

[@XterraRob]

You would just have to watch the video. Mostly metric sockets and wrenches. 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm were the most common ones. Various ratchets, extensions, universal joints etc. And open end/box end wrenches.

[@crishernandez6046]

If you dont mind me asking what was the output on ur alternator and which alternator did u got My car battery light comes on when i have ac lights and radio on But when everything is off the car battery light stays off i check fuses i checked wires everything is good i replace the alternator with one from autozone remanufactured but some ppl keep telling me sometimes they come bad from out of box

[@XterraRob]

That I have no idea my man. I took the stock one to auto zone and had them do a bench test...it failed. I got their Duralsst one for the vehicle, but dont recall the spec and I did not measure to confirm. Mine worked though.

[@crishernandez6046]

Wow i just replaced mine but i dont think alternator is good

[@crishernandez6046]

Car keeps doing the same i replace battery too

[@XterraRob]

Another option is what accessories put it over the edge...IE measure with multimeter amperage with engine idling no accessories and then turn head lights off /on / off and see amps needed. Repeat with radio off/ on / off, and any other electrical loads. Maybe your head light bulbs are corroded and pulling more amps (but not enough to blow fuse, pr maybe fuse is wrong size?). Othetwise it does sound like a bad alternator or loose charge wire during reassembly.

[@NorCalExplorer-JS]

Have you replaced the alternator on your off road rig? If so did you put in a high out put alternator? I plan on putting a 200 amp alternator on my 2001 Xterra this spring with future plans on installing an extra batter.

[@XterraRob]

Never had to replace the alternator on the X, though people have said its a common issue due to location and mud and water intrusion. I'm probably going to have to do a timing belt in the next year, so may consider a high output one while I'm tearing things apart.

[@20ftsnowman]

Great video. What did you do regarding the plastic snap that broke off of the wire harness that snaps into the alternator?

[@XterraRob]

I pushed it down and tried to let friction do its thing on the terminals. That lasted a month before it backed off enough to throw the battery light. I took some high temp silicone RTV and put some along the base of the plastic connector and so far so good.

[@805perezz7]

How long did it take you to take off ?

[@XterraRob]

I honestly don't remember. It took most of a Saturday with a trip to auto zone in the middle. But I also didn't have a guide to go off of so I was kind of exploring my way through it.

[@6speedtim177]

What are all the parts that you used

[@XterraRob]

Really just the alternator. Remove bad alternator, put new one in. You can also replace the alternator belt since you have to take it off anyway. Any other accessory belt could be replaced at the same time aince you are in the area already.

[@6speedtim177]

No like what tools did u use to take off the bolts or parts that u hade to remove or sockets

[@XterraRob]

@@6speedtim177 its all pretty much in the video. Socket wrench...10, 12, 14 mm I think is everything. Flat acrew driver, etc. The adjuster bolt may need a flat end wrench if you dont have an impact with a wobble extension. Nothing really special. Was there something specifically confusing in the video you have a question on?