# What did I just break while replacing my Alternator? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** scion, xa\ **Created:** [December 16, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405 "2017-12-16T21:08:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Brett2112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Brett2112](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brett2112)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/1 "2017-12-16T21:08:35Z")
I tried to save some money by replacing my own alternator. Long story short, I broke something that has two very small red wires coming out of the alternator and looks like it goes into the engine. The car still started and seemed to run fine. Just wondering what I broke and I should probably get it fixed. I attached a photo, I hope it shows up. Thank you for any help!! ![Inked20171216_124630_LI](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/9/9f94b3890cdd75eda6328b000d6fd468453006b9.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/2 "2017-12-16T21:21:07Z")
So, the piece that the plug attaches to broke off the cylindrical casting to the right of it? ---
**Author:** ![Brett2112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Brett2112](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brett2112)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/3 "2017-12-16T21:22:50Z")
Yes that’s it. Thank you for the reply!! ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/4 "2017-12-16T21:26:44Z")
Do the two red wires definitely come from the alternator? Are you getting 14+ volts at the battery with the engine running? ---
**Author:** ![Brett2112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Brett2112](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brett2112)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/5 "2017-12-16T21:30:19Z")
I just checked and I am getting 13.94 volts at the battery. Thanks!! ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/6 "2017-12-16T21:34:58Z")
That is the camshaft timing oil control solenoid. ---
**Author:** ![Brett2112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Brett2112](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brett2112)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/7 "2017-12-16T21:36:47Z")
Uh oh, that sounds expensive. Thank you for the reply. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/8 "2017-12-16T21:43:57Z")
Not too bad if this is it: > **[1533021010 1533021011 VVT Variable Valve Timing Solenoid for 2004-06 Scion xA xB...](https://www.walmart.com/ip/1533021010-1533021011-VVT-Variable-Valve-Timing-Solenoid-for-2004-06-Scion-xA-xB/183358846?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=571&adid=22222222227066851122&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=170941262363&wl4=pla-275554583460&wl5=9015752&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=111838760&wl11=online&wl12=183358846&wl13=&veh=sem)** > > Free Shipping. Buy 1533021010 1533021011 VVT Variable Valve Timing Solenoid for 2004-06 Scion xA xB at Walmart.com ---
**Author:** ![Brett2112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Brett2112](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brett2112)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/9 "2017-12-16T21:46:06Z")
Ahh yes that looks like it should be the correct part. Ugh, another DIY gone wrong. Thank you very much for the help. I appreciate it!! ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/10 "2017-12-16T21:59:12Z")
DIYs gone wrong is how you learn to do DIYs right. There’s probably no one here that hasn’t busted something accidentally during a repair. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-did-i-just-break-while-replacing-my-alternator/110405/11 "2017-12-17T23:50:01Z")
> [@shadowfax](#): > > There’s probably no one here that hasn’t busted something accidentally during a repair. 😉 Nobody never breaks something by accident. It’s part of being human. To the OP: welcome to the world of real life. 🤣