Toyota FJ Cruiser - Alternator Replacement (and Diagnosis) 2007-2014

My battery light came on while driving my 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. After some testing, the alternator is no longer recharging the battery. In this video I show you how to replace the alternator.

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Filmed with a Canon Vixia HF G10 Camcorder

[nannstevens]

You there! Thank you! I woke up this morning to a dead FJ and I have my vehicle back again after following your video. A struggling, single mother thanks you immensely.

[zombie]

I just successfully replaced my Alternator on my Son’s 2007 FJ. I couldn’t have done it without your video. Thank you. One thing I did differently is that I put some carpentry clamps on two belt pulleys so I wouldn’t lose my place with the serpentine belt pattern.👍🏼

[littlejimmy]

Ate a bowl of Cheerios, watched this vid, tracked down a Duralast, drank a cup of coffee, off to the AP store. I dunno that I needed this video, but it understood the assignment 5 years before I needed it. I'm never getting rid of my FJ, it's a 2013 I bought new. Getting ready for winter.

[wildlifesculpting]

Note that on my 2010, there was another bracket that attached the back of the alternator to the block. The bolt that goes into the block can only be accessed via the front left wheel well (you can either use a jack to raise the frame and reach over the tire or take the tire off. And then you'll still need 18 inches of extension with a flexible joint to unscrew the 12mm bolt. Other than that the instructions provided in the video are great.

[samsonshotts]

perhaps the most accurate automotive walk-through video I've ever watched, very helpful

[gerybrown]

Hadn't done one on an FJ before, decided to pop a vid to see if there were any tips to make it go smoother and here is your gem of a vid. with no BS extras, great views of what you were doing. Couldn't asked for better. Went so smooth, old out, new in, under an hour (new belt and battery as well). First beer of the day is tipped in your honor. Cheers!

[chrispryor]

Thank you for the video. NEVER worked on mechanical aspect of a car in my life but I was able to replace my FJ alternator myself and saved hundreds on diagnostic and labor costs. The video walked me through everything step by step and I was able to finish the job in one sitting. Bonus was that my 10 year old son helped me as we worked on the truck so it was a bonding experience too!

[AZBEEMR]

07 FJ same symptoms except 20 miles after the battery lite appeared all the warning lites went on! Some I never saw before!
Replaced belt cuz it’s 17 yrs old! No lift so I did it from the top. Your serpentine diagram saved me. Thx a !

[frankysteele]

I’d like to point out this is the best and most helpful automotive videos I’ve ever watched. Thank you for your help!

[gregorys]

Thank you for showing the vehicle and not you walking around with your camera pointed at you. Some people seem to think all we need to understand is watch the producer as he talks to us about the subject. Yeah, that teaches me a lot. This gentleman does it right.

[sean]

I swapped mine in the parking lot i broke down in thanks to you and having most of the tools in my rig. Took an uber to the nearest parts store and got it done. Thanks again for great instructions, Godbless.

[josephtaylor]

Thank you so much for this video not only did I fix my alternator, but I also changed my serpentine belt. Thanks to your diagram! strong work my friend can’t thank you enough.

[valiantred]

Just wanna say that this is one of the best automotive how-to videos I've ever watched, really appreciate it man

[RandyBuxton]

Great job on the video. I'm on this tomorrow! Replacing original alternator at 175, 000 miles. Weird how it hit a bump, discovered 120A fusible link busted, replaced it, and still no charging from the alternator. I suppose it's possible that my problem is a wire shorted but I see nothing that looks out of place. Hopefully, the odds are that it's something with the alternator. We shall see.

[ralphcooper]

I just would like to say on a 2014 fj there is another bracket on the back of the alternator you can get through the wheel well with a extension and 12mm swivel socket.

[darkrogue]

Hey, I just swapped my alternator with your video. Helped a bunch, thank you.

[nobodycares]

2010 has another mounting bolt behind the alternator that that's threaded into the block will an L bracket to the alternator. Take the tire off and with a long wobble extension it can be easily got to. 😮😂😊 I spent a good half hour trying to wiggle on it. Found the answer on a reddit page. I also swapped the old plastic cover onto mine for the slip on wire keeper that was there stock... to me anyway. Used at 150K.

Keep wheeling ✌️

[flyingsodwai]

Thanks for the instructional vid. It helped. Thanks also for not being annoying and hyper and adding a lot of useless fluff. Keep up the good work!

[MontaniSemperNic]

My alternator just went out today on my ‘08 FJ. We’ve got the tools and this looks like more fun than hanging at the dealership!

[rickypalacios]

Thank you for your video. I just got done changing my alternator and your video was very easy to follow and gave me full confidence!