alternator brush replacement

Here's some good repair guides for your Tercel :) Look here for help first!
Post Reply
swifty
Newbie
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:33 am
My tercel:: 88 dlx 4wd manual

alternator brush replacement

Post by swifty »

My 88 4wd wagon no charging light came on finally after 360 km....actually the brake light was flickering as well, apparently that is normal when the alternator on tercels do not charge. When charging light flickers or on steady it is usually just carbon brushes worn out.

Really simple job on the Denso alternator.

1/remove alternator
2/remove back alt cover ( three nuts)
3/Remove two phillips screws beside plastic brush block.... block will slide out and wha-laaa ... two worn brushes in the holder.
4/De-solder the old brushes out of block, pull brush out and save spring in each brush slot.
5/Solder in new brushes (bought for 10 bucks at auto store) leaving 10.5 mm sticking out from mounting base to end of brush
6/Slide brush block back in and put back cover on...that's it! ... simple job....

Sure beats spending 300 bucks for a new one.. Should be good for another 360 km i hope hehe... Pretty cool to be able to change brushes without taking alt apart...thanks toyota..is there an easier car to work on than these things?
Don't think so..
User avatar
eightyfive4WD
Advanced Member
Posts: 85
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:59 pm
My tercel:: 1985 Tercel 4WD 5 speed wagon
Location: Arizona

Re: alternator brush replacement

Post by eightyfive4WD »

Reviving an old thread here.

I would love to have some spare alternator brushes on hand to prepare for when my alternator inevitably goes out.
Looking for confirmation from someone who has completed the repair that this is indeed the correct style of alternator brush on the Tercel4WD:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133983979452?c ... eHEALw_wcB
(eBay says it's correct but I tend to take that fitment confirmation with a grain of salt, especially on such an old car)
Thanks
1985 Toyota Tercel DLX 4WD 5 spd wagon (manual swapped, daily driver)
2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4WD access cab long bed (road trip/adventure-mobile)
User avatar
garyfish
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 889
Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2005 4:22 pm
My tercel:: 1985 Tercel SR5, stock; 1987 T4WD DLX wagon, manual tranny
Location: North Coastal California

Re: alternator brush replacement

Post by garyfish »

Standard Motor Products JX116, or equivalent.

But a pair of JX116 brushes can be had for quite a bit less money than the $13.05 in the example you offered. Heck, your local auto-parts store probably has 'em for $4 or $5 out-the-door, tax included.
1985 Tercel SR5 4WD wagon, 300K
1987 Tercel DLX 4WD wagon, 6-speed manual, 274K -- got this one running Jan. 2015 (had been sitting for 2 years); this has been my daily driver since 2016
User avatar
eightyfive4WD
Advanced Member
Posts: 85
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:59 pm
My tercel:: 1985 Tercel 4WD 5 speed wagon
Location: Arizona

Re: alternator brush replacement

Post by eightyfive4WD »

garyfish wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:47 am Heck, your local auto-parts store probably has 'em for $4 or $5 out-the-door, tax included.
Thank you! I just checked, and I can indeed source these from my local Advance Auto store for ~$5.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/car ... icle=false
1985 Toyota Tercel DLX 4WD 5 spd wagon (manual swapped, daily driver)
2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4WD access cab long bed (road trip/adventure-mobile)
Post Reply