Alternator does not charge?

ulgar78 · 06-29-2009, 02:18 PM

I just bought my first toyota and I love the truck! I have a problem with the alternator not charging though. I recently purchased a new alternator and regulator and changed them out with no success. I took it into the parts store and had it tested and it passed all tests with flying colors. Ive been racking my poor little brain as to what to try next. If anyone has an idea please help me out.

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slacker · 06-29-2009, 04:53 PM

check your fuse links ... right off of the positive battery posts w/green connectors .. give them a "tug" if they break there toast . These are the main engine "fueses" for this year , but in wire form

.

ulgar78 · 06-29-2009, 05:41 PM

Turns out that the wiring going to the battery is solid. I tested the output from the alternator and no juice... The only thing that I am getting is voltage from the battery. Does the ignition switch or alt charge light have anything to do with charging?

Quote:

Originally Posted by slacker

check your fuse links ... right off of the positive battery posts w/green connectors .. give them a "tug" if they break there toast . These are the main engine "fueses" for this year , but in wire form

.

slacker · 06-29-2009, 05:45 PM

but you said it was an NEW alt , and it tested fine ?

brushes are VERY common on these units .. which is indicated by the "charge lamp " .. either sticking , or worn .

.

ulgar78 · 06-29-2009, 06:05 PM

Yep I took it back out after it did'nt work the first time and they tested it on their machine. The alt light doesnt even flicker (I did check the bulb.) Wiring drives me crazy! The wires and plugs going to the regulator seem to be intact also. Hmmm....

fredbauer · 06-29-2009, 06:20 PM

I've had this problem in the past. If your sure that the alternator is putting out the correct voltage (normally 14.7v), chances are your charge lamp relay is bad. If your charge light stays on after starting your truck and a meter says it's actually charging then on the right side cab wall under the glove compartment is a green relay bolted to the wall just in front of the passenger door. Unplug it and the light goes out. Replacing them is terribly expensive,($70 +) . I just trust my gages and do without the relay. Fred

ulgar78 · 06-29-2009, 09:39 PM

The Light doesnt work at all... i can check that relay. The alternator charges when its hooked up to the testing machine but not in the truck

Do you know if there are more fusable links along under the dash? I think my only option is to rewire it... but im trying to avoid that... lol!

olharleyman · 06-29-2009, 10:00 PM

Check the grounds off the alternator

ulgar78 · 06-30-2009, 05:05 AM

The grounds from the 3 prong F-E-N plug are good and no broken wires or loose connections. I cleaned the plugs and connectors already. Does the alt have to have a 'return' wire to make it charge? How do I go about looking for this?

i_love_tacos · 07-01-2009, 09:54 PM

I am having the excact same problem. I'm gonna switch out the regulator and see if that helps. Good luck. Hope u find the problem cause it would help me too. Haha

ulgar78 · 07-03-2009, 11:25 AM

rowdy235 · 07-03-2009, 02:16 PM

Question- Have you confirmed it is not charging or is it just the fact the lights are on?

(Not to be a jerk, i've been down this road too)

ulgar78 · 07-03-2009, 07:05 PM

The alt lights on the dash do not work at all... and the alternator does not charge while in the truck and connected. It does charge while hooked up to the testing machine at the shop though. I am very greatful for any help.

rowdy235 · 07-03-2009, 08:03 PM

got to be something telling the alternator not to charge. Figuring out what that is is going to be the problem

Sorry can't help much not good with wiring

ulgar78 · 07-04-2009, 12:16 AM

Hmmm... I just removed a little green box from the driver's side under the dash that had a 7 pin square plug... sounds like there are several things broken inside the box... maybe something! It says emission control on it and it sounds like there are about half a dozen pieces of something inside when i shake it. (HOPEHOPEHOPE)

NYota · 07-05-2009, 06:39 AM

Your truck should run with you that. So if you can idle with in.. than unplug it, your truck should die and the part is some what working.

i_love_tacos · 07-22-2009, 09:47 PM

any luck? I have a new Alt, new voltage reg, and new batt. But still no charge. i have a 1980 with the 20R.

Scooby098 · 07-23-2009, 05:38 PM

might be time to do the chevy swap. I know that one of the ground has to be grounded to the engine or it will not charge. theres a guy on here who sell the brackets for the chevy alt, and there soo much easyer to work with.

i_love_tacos · 07-23-2009, 11:38 PM

well someday I'm going to throw in a 3rz but right now I just wanna atleast drive it around. What I need is somone who has the same truck that works properly so I could take a look at the wires. Previous owners changed the wires so I don't know what it supposed to look like.

red1983 · 07-25-2009, 10:37 AM

This seems to be an common issue. When this happened with my truck, I couldn't figure it out, so I took it to a friend. We replaced the alt., the charge lamp relay, and regulator, and no luck, so he put in an one wire alternator, not a stock one... it has worked great for a year +. (but the charge light will not work)

truckdude239 · 09-12-2009, 05:10 PM

did you ever figure this out i am havingt he same problem

i_love_tacos · 09-13-2009, 10:36 PM

i have a feeling my battery is getting drained out by something. i dont know what is doing it yet, but that seems to be my problem. when my truck is running the voltage just starts dropping down to 10 volts before the engine starts to die out. then when its off the voltage slowly goes back up to 12 volts. but even the 12 volts wont start it unless is hooked up to another vehicle and then the 13 volts the other vehicle is putting out will start it.

truckdude239 · 09-16-2009, 07:45 PM

well guys we got ours fixed i was looking at another post on marlincrawler.com turns out the autopart store gave us the alt for the 6 wire external regulator where ours was a 5 wire took ti back and got the right all alt. and now it charges. the charge light doesn't work (wouldn;t go out tried another lamp relay then it wouldn;t come on but it read 14.5 volts at the battery so i think we are good for now!. funy part was the alt we had had a green plug on ti and the wires still plugged into it

tought i would share with you guys maybe it will help you guys out!

i_love_tacos · 09-17-2009, 04:43 PM

cool! congrats on the fix.

when i got my alternator, i got one for a 1980. the door jam plate says it was made in december of 1979. is my truck a 79 or 80? i read somewhere that it should be an 80 because it was made at the end of the year of 79. would it even make a difference even thought the plugs matched up?

truckdude239 · 09-17-2009, 07:58 PM

yes the plugs matched up on both of the ones we had. if you have a 5 wire external regualtor u need the alt with a black plug on the back of the alt. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...S_539239512___ if you have a 6 wire external regualtor you need the alt witht he green plug on the back http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...S_539227315___

like i said we had the one with the green plug where we need the one with the black on my friends 83

here is another great site http://home.earthlink.net/~twopapa/bigalt.htm

06-29-2009, 04:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
slacker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 2,114	check your fuse links ... right off of the positive battery posts w/green connectors .. give them a "tug" if they break there toast . These are the main engine "fueses" for this year , but in wire form . __________________ 86 4x4 , fiberglass bed , 1/2 doors , hood ... more to come . 84 2WD "hotrod" Intercooled 7MGTE 83 Trekker SR5 CURRENT BUILD My home page MY PAGE 2WD fourm I frequent NEW Trekker forum

06-29-2009, 05:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
slacker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 2,114	but you said it was an NEW alt , and it tested fine ? brushes are VERY common on these units .. which is indicated by the "charge lamp " .. either sticking , or worn . . __________________ 86 4x4 , fiberglass bed , 1/2 doors , hood ... more to come . 84 2WD "hotrod" Intercooled 7MGTE 83 Trekker SR5 CURRENT BUILD My home page MY PAGE 2WD fourm I frequent NEW Trekker forum Last edited by slacker; 06-29-2009 at 05:46 PM.

06-29-2009, 10:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
olharleyman Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 3,291	Check the grounds off the alternator __________________ 1990 4 runner 5 Speed Pro Comp Stage II 4" Lift 6" coils rear Aussie Locker front 5.29's Front And Rear 35 x 12.5 x 15 MT's Micky Thompson Classic II Wheels Super Charged 3.4 on the way 1993 SAS 4runner 22re 5 speed 4" front 5"rear 5.29's 35 x 12.5 BFG KM'S Dick cepek DC 1's 88 stock 4runner 3.0 auto for now 1955 Harley Davidson Springer Stock 1955 Hardtail Frame 4 Speed Kick Start Only 1998 Harley Custom Dresser 107 rwhp 139 ft.lbs.trq.

07-01-2009, 09:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
i_love_tacos Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tuba City, AZ Posts: 322	I am having the excact same problem. I'm gonna switch out the regulator and see if that helps. Good luck. Hope u find the problem cause it would help me too. Haha __________________ 98 V6 toyota taco. Tundra coils. 1 inch daystar spacer. rancho shocks front. daystar shackles. 2.5 inch downey rear leafs. bilstien 5125 shocks rear. K&N FIPK 2. jardine cat back exhaust. stubbs sliders. TJM front bumper. 33" bfg all terrains

07-03-2009, 02:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
rowdy235 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweet Home, OR Posts: 1,562	Question- Have you confirmed it is not charging or is it just the fact the lights are on? (Not to be a jerk, i've been down this road too) __________________ The Daily Driver: 1998 Tacoma \| Regular Cab \| 4WD \| 2.7L \| 5-Speed Stick \| Mostly Stock The People-Hauler 1988 Grand Wagoneer \| SUV \| 4WD \| AMC 360 \| 3-Speed Auto \| All Stock The Dump Runner 1982 Pickup \| Regular Cab \| 2WD \| 22R \| 5-Speed Stick \| Custom Exhaust FER SALE! http://www.yotatech.com/f108/1982-sh.../#post51229916

06-29-2009, 06:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
ulgar78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8	Yep I took it back out after it did'nt work the first time and they tested it on their machine. The alt light doesnt even flicker (I did check the bulb.) Wiring drives me crazy! The wires and plugs going to the regulator seem to be intact also. Hmmm....

06-29-2009, 06:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
fredbauer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Western Pa Posts: 30	I've had this problem in the past. If your sure that the alternator is putting out the correct voltage (normally 14.7v), chances are your charge lamp relay is bad. If your charge light stays on after starting your truck and a meter says it's actually charging then on the right side cab wall under the glove compartment is a green relay bolted to the wall just in front of the passenger door. Unplug it and the light goes out. Replacing them is terribly expensive,($70 +) . I just trust my gages and do without the relay. Fred

06-29-2009, 09:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
ulgar78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8	The Light doesnt work at all... i can check that relay. The alternator charges when its hooked up to the testing machine but not in the truck Do you know if there are more fusable links along under the dash? I think my only option is to rewire it... but im trying to avoid that... lol!

06-30-2009, 05:05 AM	#9 (permalink)
ulgar78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8	The grounds from the 3 prong F-E-N plug are good and no broken wires or loose connections. I cleaned the plugs and connectors already. Does the alt have to have a 'return' wire to make it charge? How do I go about looking for this?

07-03-2009, 11:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
ulgar78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8

07-03-2009, 07:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
ulgar78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8	The alt lights on the dash do not work at all... and the alternator does not charge while in the truck and connected. It does charge while hooked up to the testing machine at the shop though. I am very greatful for any help.

07-03-2009, 08:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
rowdy235 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweet Home, OR Posts: 1,562	got to be something telling the alternator not to charge. Figuring out what that is is going to be the problem Sorry can't help much not good with wiring __________________ The Daily Driver: 1998 Tacoma \| Regular Cab \| 4WD \| 2.7L \| 5-Speed Stick \| Mostly Stock The People-Hauler 1988 Grand Wagoneer \| SUV \| 4WD \| AMC 360 \| 3-Speed Auto \| All Stock The Dump Runner 1982 Pickup \| Regular Cab \| 2WD \| 22R \| 5-Speed Stick \| Custom Exhaust FER SALE! http://www.yotatech.com/f108/1982-sh.../#post51229916

07-04-2009, 12:16 AM	#15 (permalink)
ulgar78 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8	Hmmm... I just removed a little green box from the driver's side under the dash that had a 7 pin square plug... sounds like there are several things broken inside the box... maybe something! It says emission control on it and it sounds like there are about half a dozen pieces of something inside when i shake it. (HOPEHOPEHOPE)

07-05-2009, 06:39 AM	#16 (permalink)
NYota Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NewYork Posts: 2	Your truck should run with you that. So if you can idle with in.. than unplug it, your truck should die and the part is some what working.

07-22-2009, 09:47 PM	#17 (permalink)
i_love_tacos Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tuba City, AZ Posts: 322	any luck? I have a new Alt, new voltage reg, and new batt. But still no charge. i have a 1980 with the 20R. __________________ 98 V6 toyota taco. Tundra coils. 1 inch daystar spacer. rancho shocks front. daystar shackles. 2.5 inch downey rear leafs. bilstien 5125 shocks rear. K&N FIPK 2. jardine cat back exhaust. stubbs sliders. TJM front bumper. 33" bfg all terrains

07-23-2009, 05:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
Scooby098 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Roseburg , OR Posts: 293	might be time to do the chevy swap. I know that one of the ground has to be grounded to the engine or it will not charge. theres a guy on here who sell the brackets for the chevy alt, and there soo much easyer to work with. __________________ 83 Toyota pickup 20 R engine 4 inch lift 36 in superswampers.

07-23-2009, 11:38 PM	#19 (permalink)
i_love_tacos Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tuba City, AZ Posts: 322	well someday I'm going to throw in a 3rz but right now I just wanna atleast drive it around. What I need is somone who has the same truck that works properly so I could take a look at the wires. Previous owners changed the wires so I don't know what it supposed to look like. __________________ 98 V6 toyota taco. Tundra coils. 1 inch daystar spacer. rancho shocks front. daystar shackles. 2.5 inch downey rear leafs. bilstien 5125 shocks rear. K&N FIPK 2. jardine cat back exhaust. stubbs sliders. TJM front bumper. 33" bfg all terrains

07-25-2009, 10:37 AM	#20 (permalink)
red1983 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 162	This seems to be an common issue. When this happened with my truck, I couldn't figure it out, so I took it to a friend. We replaced the alt., the charge lamp relay, and regulator, and no luck, so he put in an one wire alternator, not a stock one... it has worked great for a year +. (but the charge light will not work) __________________ 1983 longbed Pickup 4x4 former truck: 1983 toyota pickup shortbed

09-12-2009, 05:10 PM	#21 (permalink)
truckdude239 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: winston-salem nc Posts: 35	did you ever figure this out i am havingt he same problem

09-13-2009, 10:36 PM	#22 (permalink)
i_love_tacos Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tuba City, AZ Posts: 322	i have a feeling my battery is getting drained out by something. i dont know what is doing it yet, but that seems to be my problem. when my truck is running the voltage just starts dropping down to 10 volts before the engine starts to die out. then when its off the voltage slowly goes back up to 12 volts. but even the 12 volts wont start it unless is hooked up to another vehicle and then the 13 volts the other vehicle is putting out will start it. __________________ 98 V6 toyota taco. Tundra coils. 1 inch daystar spacer. rancho shocks front. daystar shackles. 2.5 inch downey rear leafs. bilstien 5125 shocks rear. K&N FIPK 2. jardine cat back exhaust. stubbs sliders. TJM front bumper. 33" bfg all terrains

09-16-2009, 07:45 PM	#23 (permalink)
truckdude239 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: winston-salem nc Posts: 35	well guys we got ours fixed i was looking at another post on marlincrawler.com turns out the autopart store gave us the alt for the 6 wire external regulator where ours was a 5 wire took ti back and got the right all alt. and now it charges. the charge light doesn't work (wouldn;t go out tried another lamp relay then it wouldn;t come on but it read 14.5 volts at the battery so i think we are good for now!. funy part was the alt we had had a green plug on ti and the wires still plugged into it tought i would share with you guys maybe it will help you guys out!

09-17-2009, 04:43 PM	#24 (permalink)
i_love_tacos Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tuba City, AZ Posts: 322	cool! congrats on the fix. when i got my alternator, i got one for a 1980. the door jam plate says it was made in december of 1979. is my truck a 79 or 80? i read somewhere that it should be an 80 because it was made at the end of the year of 79. would it even make a difference even thought the plugs matched up? __________________ 98 V6 toyota taco. Tundra coils. 1 inch daystar spacer. rancho shocks front. daystar shackles. 2.5 inch downey rear leafs. bilstien 5125 shocks rear. K&N FIPK 2. jardine cat back exhaust. stubbs sliders. TJM front bumper. 33" bfg all terrains

09-17-2009, 07:58 PM	#25 (permalink)
truckdude239 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: winston-salem nc Posts: 35	yes the plugs matched up on both of the ones we had. if you have a 5 wire external regualtor u need the alt with a black plug on the back of the alt. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...S_539239512___ if you have a 6 wire external regualtor you need the alt witht he green plug on the back http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...S_539227315___ like i said we had the one with the green plug where we need the one with the black on my friends 83 here is another great site http://home.earthlink.net/~twopapa/bigalt.htm

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