AUTO MECHANIC PROBLEMS (AGAIN)

[Durian Fiend]

I'm going to go a little further out on the alternator limb and say that it's unlikely that the wrong one was installed.  For this to happen, all of the bolts, pins, the belt, the swivel shaft, electrical connections, brackets and perhaps other things would have to match up perfectly.  In today's world of highly specialized design, as illustrated in previous posts, the chances of a "wrong" unit matching up perfectly are pretty remote, making the physical installation impossible.

I think your first mechanic was telling the truth and that there is another issue with the car.  Why he couldn't find it is a whole other discussion.

Lex Brodie diagnosis says "alternator control wire pigtail missing lock. Alternator not charging at full voltage with a/c on. Recommend new alternator control wire pigtail de pin and re pin .5".  It also says to install either Nippon Denso or OEM dealer alternator.  We told Lex Brodie's that we were not going to have them fix the car.  We just wanted their diagnosis for our mechanic so, hopefully, they weren't scamming us.  What do you think of this evaluation?  It's all Greek to us.  Thanks.

This gives me the impression the plastic thingy that plugs into your alternator is broken, which would beg the question:  Who broke it?  I suppose it could possibly happen by trying to force the plug into a non conforming alternator.  Hope not!   

If your vehicle is a Toyota and you plan to keep it indefinitely,  an argument can be made for buying a Denso or OEM alternator at a much higher price than the standard offering found at your auto parts store because they are of higher quality.  Same would apply with a really good make such as Subaru or Honda, their replacement parts are better than the generics. 

This past fall I replaced the original alternator on a 1990 Toyota.  Yup, it lasted 33 years.  (With a cheap one off Amazon).