Battery light came on. A total mystery...

293K miles. No idea why it could have happened...



...none at all. /s

 

Alternator Brush holder:
TOYOTA Part number: 27370-75060 $21

Current output is now 14.15 volts.

Took me about a half hour or so. Once the alt is out it's a literal 5 minute replacement job for the brushes. Never let the mechanic just throw away your original alternator and give you a garbage big box store one.

As an aside, I looked at what TOYOTA wants for the Voltage Regulator:
27700-50030 $177.30

TOYOTA wants an extra couple of bucks for the entire alternator!:
27060-62160-84 $179.60

I don't do aftermarket unless I absolutely must, so if my VR goes, I'll just get the whole new alternator.

 

I wonder what the conversion is from 293,000 miles to armature revolutions is?