jfryjfry

I was just working on a friend's 2000 rav4 which had gone dead and, after jumping, had no charge.

I assumed the alternator and replaced it with an autozone one with no change (and no charge).

It tested bad at the store, and the cycle repeated two more times.
In between, I checked the alternator plug for 12V, checked the fusible link, checked the charging system fuses, and checked the alternator output cable for any issues. Everything was ok.

Finally, I started where I should have and started troubleshooting and talking to the owner.

His dash lights had gone out first the day before, and later everything started to dim and eventually died.

I checked and sure enough, the dash was still out even though I had charged the battery and everything else (except the turnsignals and hvac) was working.

Turns out the fuse for the dash and controls and turn signals had blown.

The alternator circuit relies on the warning lamp and if that circuit fails (eg bad fuse) the charging system will not function properly.

So save yourself some time and FIRST verify a good working dash/fuse before you tear into the alternator!