Your battery starts your Toyota Sequoia. Its alternator charges its battery in the first place. As part of the charging system in your SUV, it also runs several other electrical systems as well -- for example, your power windows, wiper blades, dashboard displays, power steering system, and entertainment tech. It even helps warm heated seats if you have them. How an alternator works is simple. It takes mechanical energy and turns it into electrical energy. The process is logical: your engine drives a belt, the belt moves a pulley, the pulley spins a rotor shaft, and the shaft turns some magnetic coils. That movement generates alternating current, also called AC power -- electricity that a rectifier captures and converts to direct current, or DC power. Every system under your hood can then start up and stay running. Unfortunately, no alternator lasts forever. They can sometimes go bad, usually without warning. Causes of alternator failure can range from bad jump-starts and installing the wrong accessories to degraded parts and old age.

What Are the Signs of Alternator Problems?

They include car radio and headlight malfunctions, a burning smell under the hood, a whining engine, a dead battery, and charging system failure. If you think your SUV has alternator issues, do a complete inspection. Test the charging system specifically. Otherwise, you should replace an alternator approximately every 7 years or every 80,000 to 150,000 miles. However, be sure to consult your owner's manual on timing; it'll tell you when to take care of it. When you buy a new one, get a genuine Toyota Sequoia alternator. It will fit your model best. Luckily, our auto parts counter sells only what your OEM makes, guaranteeing compatibility with the SUV you love to drive. Plus, we can ship one to you in short order. Buy online today!