06 Camry LE 4 cyl I was driving home about 60 miles on freeway when my battery/alternator light went on. I had heard a weird rumbling sound at idle that disappeared at any speed. I drove for another 10 miles or so and the light went off.


Then 10 miles from home I lost the belt, no power steering, temp went up, I pulled it over immediately and turned it off. I looked under the hood and the alternator pulley was hanging by a thread and the belt was just laying there, undamaged. I called AAA and had it towed home.


Took it off the tow truck, started it and drove it into the garage. I replaced the alternator. Put it all back together, cleaned the battery terminals etc. Got in to start it up and NOTHIN'. No lights, no door locks, no ding ding ding. Just zilch . No dome, no dash, no headlights, wipers, zero, zip, nada. So I checked the battery with my trusty voltmeter...12.5 volts on the battery, on the terminals, no visibly bad fuses, checked the continuity on the main fuse...Don't know what else to check Help me please

 

There is a fusible link in the battery cable to the electrical system. Check if there is voltage at the 120A Alt fuse.

 

Thanks for the reply. I think I found the problem.


Checked the power to the fuse box, all good. Then I shined a stronger light into the 50 and 120 fuses. There IS a break in one leg the 120A ALT fuse. So now, I'm trying to get to those fuses. Thankfully I read that those fuses are bolted in and they don't just pop out...but getting to them is proving to be a PITA. Any hints??


Also, where do I get a new 120A fuse? NAPA? Dealer only?

 

The fuse removal question is very common. An internet search will find lots of posts and video's. A few below:


Don't Blow Your 120 Amp Alternator Fuse! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

As to the fuse. Autozone, Oreilly, NAPA, dealer and others sell the part. The fuse may be slightly different in design.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7822223

https://www.autozone.com/electrical-...3_347750_19973

 

Yep, that's what I did (or didn't do) disco the battery when doing anything electrical. That fuse runs basically everything. I did disco the battery about halfway into removing the alternator, but too late. I'm surprised I didn't see the blown fuse sooner.


Any way, I got the fuse box apart and got the fuse out...It'll be better if I ever have to do it again...what a PITA. NAPA is getting me the new fuse tomorrow, so I'm giving up for today and go have some fun. Thanks again for the replies.

 

Good job.

Thanks for posting back with your status.

 

Putting the fuse back in was a major pain as I could not get the fuse box to come completely apart so it was like performing surgery on a reluctant clam. It did make it easier that the prongs were slotted so they could be pushed in with the screws loosely in place, then I was able to crank them down...aaand...boom, lights. horns and windows. The fuse runs a whopping $4.50. But I don't want that job again.

 

Good job.

Thanks for posting back with the info on the prongs making things easier.