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2010 Toyota Corolla Alternator Buying Guide

You depend on your 2010 Toyota Corolla to transport you across town, around the neighborhood and anywhere else your life takes you. Every time you turn its ignition key, you count on hearing the familiar crank of the engine. But when nothing happens after turning the key, you’ve got problems. If your alternator is to blame, you need an affordable high-quality replacement. This short guide explains the ins and outs of this critical part – what it is, how it works and how to find the best one for your Corolla.

What Is an Alternator?

Your Corolla’s alternator is a key component of its electrical system. It works with your vehicle’s battery to produce power for its lighting, audio system, dashboard instruments, power steering and the like. Attached to the front of the engine, it relies on several internal components to generate power:

  • Stator, a set of stationary wire coil windings
  • Rotor, a spinning magnet with an iron core encased in copper wiring
  • Voltage regulator, which controls current output
  • Bridge rectifier, which converts the stator’s AC into DC power

Alternators use electromagnetism to produce current. Your engine’s serpentine belt turns the rotor. As it spins, the rotor generates AC electricity inside its stator coils. The bridge rectifier turns this into DC by changing the direction in which the current flows. This DC electricity can then power your vehicle’s electrical components.

Replacement Costs of an Alternator

There’s never a convenient time to have an alternator problem. Common symptoms of failure include flickering headlights or interior lights. You may also wind up with a dead battery because the alternator isn’t recharging it. If you must get a new 2010 Toyota Corolla alternator, you may worry about the cost. Fortunately, there’s some good news: many replacements price out under $300. And you have lots of options to choose from, so you can select one that fits comfortably within your price range.

While shopping, you’ll probably notice several models from manufacturers like Duralast, Valucraft and Bosch. Duralast’s Gold models are assembled from entirely new components and offer performance that meets or exceeds OEM specs. They’re also rigorously tested at three different points to ensure they’ll produce the consistent current your vehicle needs. Duralast Gold alternators come with a limited lifetime warranty.

Bosch’s premium alternators also score high marks for performance and reliability. Available in both new and remanufactured versions, they fit and perform identically to OEM alternators. Each one is also meticulously tested in extreme cold and hot temperatures, as well as under high load demands. Bosch’s alternators come with a two-year warranty with free 24-hour roadside assistance.

Where To Buy Your Alternator

Now that you know a little more about your options, it’s time to shop for your Toyota Corolla alternator. As a DIYer working on your project, you have freedom and flexibility in purchasing your replacement part. Your best bet is shopping at a trustworthy aftermarket auto parts retailer. You’ll have access to a broad selection of parts and great customer service – plus confidence from knowing you’ll get a dependable high-quality part. Pressed for time? Look for a dealer with store pickup service to get your alternator faster.

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