This is a helpful video. I just replaced the alternator in my 2010 RAV4 V6, and this vid made it a lot smoother. Don't let yourself get psyched out of doing the job. There's a ton of crap in the way, and it's very tight, but you can do it.
Finished the swap in 4 hours for a 2007 V6. I have no idea how you got yours to come out so easily, mine took some scraping and forcing. But, thank you so much for uploading this. I was able to get the hidden bolt and the clip off using the same clip remover for the trim. Hidden bolt and clip took maybe 10 minutes total, after watching this.
Thanks a lot! Best video on this but you made it look much easier than it was. Almost gave up. Also same as someone mentioned on the lower main bolt I murfed the head and couldn’t get a socket back on and finally used a slightly larger 9/16 that did the trick. The hidden bolt was ok but that clip was a doozy. Should have unbolted the whole clamp from the alternator at that point once there was a little access. Also didn’t think the old one would come out but kept puzzling it around and it finally did. Glad I persevered. The video was perfect stepwise. Thanks again!
I agree with MN Wrench! and i’ve watched at least 1.5 dozen other how tos and only stumbled on you’re out of curiosity. But you kept in 3 minutes what I had to watch 8-15 min of without really getting the full picture! Thanks for this, and I think you world have a lot more hits if the title was more on point. Like mentioning V6, model year, maybe the word replacement or fix. THANKS AGAIN for this!!
Thanks for this awesome vid. Super helpful! The only additional step that helped me was removing the three bolts for the exhaust manifold heat shield. Sliding the heat shield out of the way a bit allowed me to remove the annoying plastic clip. This was the most time consuming part of the removal, for me. Hopefully this helps someone else.
Great video mentioning the important points and the locations of the bolts holding the alternator. One of the best video on RAV4 alternator removal. Thanks!
Did this today on my 2012 Highlander. I did it just like this. My advice is to go ahead and plan to take the front passenger tire off and remove the bolts to pull the radiator forward. I couldn’t imagine trying to do it with it on. Doesn’t seem possible. Also, if it’s really sandy inside the wheel well, get it out before you start. Every time I bumped something it would rain down sand on me. I accidentally broke the plastics tube where the radiator hose connects to the radiator. I hit it while prying out all of the little clips holding the wire lume to the fan assembly. I only broke a small piece of the plastic and was able to reattach the hose when I was finished with no leaks. I almost stripped the lower 14mm bolt holding the alternator in place. I thought the socket was all the way on and almost messed it up. My suggestion is to place a light under the vehicle shining up where the bolt is. This allows you to see it from the top and get the socket on securely. Knowing where the hidden 3rd bolt is helps a lot. The whole thing took me about 4 hours. I watched probably 2 hours worth of RUclips videos and read all of the comments before starting. When I was finished, I tested the alternator and was still showing only 12.6 volts with it running. When I rolled the windows up, I could see the lights dim and the AC bog down. I ended up thoroughly cleaning both battery terminals and it fixed all of my problems. Maybe I didn’t need an alternator after all. FML. Either way, not a terrible project. Take your time and plan to follow all of the steps in this video. Thanks for uploading this.
Thank you so much! This is a GREAT video. I took mine out today. That small bolt in back was easy for me. If you put a headlamp on and you can look back there and see it as you loosen it. Hard part for me was that dumb plastic part!! My god that was a pain...lol
Great video. Ver informative and to the point, (unlike my videos)😂 Im tackling this job this weekend. Just seems the bottom 14mm bolt is going to be the trouble maker. Thanks for the upload and information.
"the alternator will come right out" Ahahaha. You should be a comedian; I'm about to roll this sob off a cliff and call the insurance company. Other than glossing over that little struggle this was a great video, thanks!!
Regarding the last part of removing the alternator (plastic clip on the back), do you remove this clip from underneath the vehicle or is there enough slack to pull the alternator out and removing the clip?
Hey there is a sensor right behind the alternator. Do you know how to re attach the wires to it I pulled them out. Alternator swap was successful except for the sensor wire as it wants to start but the sensor won’t allow it
I'm not sure what sensor you are referring to. The wires on the alternator? Or behind it? It's been a while since I was in there. Maybe someone else can chime in
I just replaced the alternator on my 2007 Toyota RAV4 V6. There is a wire attached underneath the alternator. I am not sure whether it is a sensor. I guess I broke something when I disconnected it from the alternator. Now my car can not start. All the lights work, car crank but won't start. Got error code U0105 and C1241.
Any luck I have the same story I pulled out the wire that is associated with the plastic clip and can not figure out where it is supposed to be attached
Hello, dear friends. I have replaced the alternator for my 2007 Toyota RAV4 V6. After putting everything back, I found the car won't start but just crank. Even with a new battery, it can not start. I've check the CCA of my battery. When it is in vehicle, the CCA reads something around 340. While when it is out vehicle, the CCA reads 700. Do you have any idea?
@@DjCBlaq take the bolt loose that is connected to the bracket straight back past the alternator. Much simpler and easier to get on it with a deep well than to try and take the bolt loose from the alternator. I literally just changed mine this evening and this is what we had to do. It worked perfectly
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This is a helpful video. I just replaced the alternator in my 2010 RAV4 V6, and this vid made it a lot smoother. Don't let yourself get psyched out of doing the job. There's a ton of crap in the way, and it's very tight, but you can do it.
I'd like to meet the man who thought it was a good idea to transverse mount engines and kick him in the knee. Give me a longitudinal v8 any day.
Fantastic and concise. Thank you for not blathering on and just providing relevant instruction!
Finished the swap in 4 hours for a 2007 V6. I have no idea how you got yours to come out so easily, mine took some scraping and forcing. But, thank you so much for uploading this. I was able to get the hidden bolt and the clip off using the same clip remover for the trim. Hidden bolt and clip took maybe 10 minutes total, after watching this.
Thanks a lot! Best video on this but you made it look much easier than it was. Almost gave up. Also same as someone mentioned on the lower main bolt I murfed the head and couldn’t get a socket back on and finally used a slightly larger 9/16 that did the trick. The hidden bolt was ok but that clip was a doozy. Should have unbolted the whole clamp from the alternator at that point once there was a little access. Also didn’t think the old one would come out but kept puzzling it around and it finally did. Glad I persevered. The video was perfect stepwise. Thanks again!
I agree with MN Wrench! and i’ve watched at least 1.5 dozen other how tos and only stumbled on you’re out of curiosity. But you kept in 3 minutes what I had to watch 8-15 min of without really getting the full picture! Thanks for this, and I think you world have a lot more hits if the title was more on point. Like mentioning V6, model year, maybe the word replacement or fix. THANKS AGAIN for this!!
Thank you! This is so much more straightforward than other methods I have seen!
Thank you for this video! I was able to change out my alternator and save myself $200 bucks .
Thanks for this awesome vid. Super helpful! The only additional step that helped me was removing the three bolts for the exhaust manifold heat shield. Sliding the heat shield out of the way a bit allowed me to remove the annoying plastic clip. This was the most time consuming part of the removal, for me. Hopefully this helps someone else.
Good idea on removing the heat shield!
You are the man. Thank you!
Great video mentioning the important points and the locations of the bolts holding the alternator. One of the best video on RAV4 alternator removal. Thanks!
Glad it helped
Came back to say thanks. Appreciate the time and explanation I was able to do it today.
Thank you for these great directions.! I was able to access the belt tensioner from the top of my '08 V6.
Thanks!
Very helpful. Thanks!
Did this today on my 2012 Highlander. I did it just like this. My advice is to go ahead and plan to take the front passenger tire off and remove the bolts to pull the radiator forward. I couldn’t imagine trying to do it with it on. Doesn’t seem possible. Also, if it’s really sandy inside the wheel well, get it out before you start. Every time I bumped something it would rain down sand on me.
I accidentally broke the plastics tube where the radiator hose connects to the radiator. I hit it while prying out all of the little clips holding the wire lume to the fan assembly. I only broke a small piece of the plastic and was able to reattach the hose when I was finished with no leaks. I almost stripped the lower 14mm bolt holding the alternator in place. I thought the socket was all the way on and almost messed it up. My suggestion is to place a light under the vehicle shining up where the bolt is. This allows you to see it from the top and get the socket on securely. Knowing where the hidden 3rd bolt is helps a lot. The whole thing took me about 4 hours. I watched probably 2 hours worth of RUclips videos and read all of the comments before starting. When I was finished, I tested the alternator and was still showing only 12.6 volts with it running. When I rolled the windows up, I could see the lights dim and the AC bog down. I ended up thoroughly cleaning both battery terminals and it fixed all of my problems. Maybe I didn’t need an alternator after all. FML. Either way, not a terrible project. Take your time and plan to follow all of the steps in this video. Thanks for uploading this.
Good input. I appreciate your time
thank you, thank you, thank you. that hidden 12mm bolt had me hung up for hours.
Thank you so much! This is a GREAT video. I took mine out today. That small bolt in back was easy for me. If you put a headlamp on and you can look back there and see it as you loosen it. Hard part for me was that dumb plastic part!! My god that was a pain...lol
How did you remove it?
I just reached back there and blindly swished it out.
@@daughtsimool4878 from the top or from the wheel well side?
From straight in. After i removed the bolts it was the last thing holding alternator in.
Or i guess from Top.
Great video I was thinking about that too taking off the radiator support to get the alternator out
Great video. Ver informative and to the point, (unlike my videos)😂
Im tackling this job this weekend. Just seems the bottom 14mm bolt is going to be the trouble maker.
Thanks for the upload and information.
"the alternator will come right out"
Ahahaha. You should be a comedian; I'm about to roll this sob off a cliff and call the insurance company.
Other than glossing over that little struggle this was a great video, thanks!!
Dude you need way more subscribers
How long is this job for someone with DYI experience on engines?
On the last step I pulled too hard on the alternator and ripped the end of that last wire out. Any idea where to reconnect it?
Not without seeing it, sorry
Regarding the last part of removing the alternator (plastic clip on the back), do you remove this clip from underneath the vehicle or is there enough slack to pull the alternator out and removing the clip?
I don't think theres room from underneath. I was able to pull out the alternator a little bit and use a pick on the clip
what are the alternator bolt torque specs?
Hey there is a sensor right behind the alternator. Do you know how to re attach the wires to it I pulled them out. Alternator swap was successful except for the sensor wire as it wants to start but the sensor won’t allow it
I'm not sure what sensor you are referring to. The wires on the alternator? Or behind it? It's been a while since I was in there. Maybe someone else can chime in
I just replaced the alternator on my 2007 Toyota RAV4 V6. There is a wire attached underneath the alternator. I am not sure whether it is a sensor. I guess I broke something when I disconnected it from the alternator. Now my car can not start. All the lights work, car crank but won't start. Got error code U0105 and C1241.
Go back and fix that connection. Try those pull-apart butt connectors
@@audimotive Thanks Bro. Hope I can figure it out before the end of 2021.
Any luck
I have the same story
I pulled out the wire that is associated with the plastic clip and can not figure out where it is supposed to be attached
Best video
I'm stripping my alternator bolts trying to take out the 2 main bolts in the alternator. What am I doing wrong
Angle of socket or wrench? Size?
Any tips to remove that plastic clip from the back of alternator? Almost done
If i remember correctly, squeeze the 2 legs on one side and push through to the other side
@@audimotive how important is that clamp? I'm ready to sacrifice it at this point, I can barely gett back there from the top
It's there to keep the wiring in a safe place. Im sure you can break it and later zip tie the wiring so it doesn't flop around
Hello, dear friends. I have replaced the alternator for my 2007 Toyota RAV4 V6. After putting everything back, I found the car won't start but just crank. Even with a new battery, it can not start. I've check the CCA of my battery. When it is in vehicle, the CCA reads something around 340. While when it is out vehicle, the CCA reads 700. Do you have any idea?
I scanned the code. Got U0105 and C1241.
Recheck all battery cables. Check cables at the alternator
@@audimotive Thanks a lot. I guess I will need to redo everything LOL.
And make sure battery connections are clean
Hidden bolt = take it to the dealership trick bolt.
this hidden bolt is so hidden. I cannot see how to get a socket on it. Exhaust manifold is in the way
@@Offbeattacos reach your hand in and start feeling straight back. It is a pain in the ass. I got it out. Didn't put it back.
@@DjCBlaq take the bolt loose that is connected to the bracket straight back past the alternator. Much simpler and easier to get on it with a deep well than to try and take the bolt loose from the alternator. I literally just changed mine this evening and this is what we had to do. It worked perfectly