84-85 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd gen pickups and 1st gen 4Runners with solid front axles

Charging system woes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-14-2009, 07:39 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Charging system woes

So, i have checked every wire that is in this truck. I have been in the parking lot at work (kragen) for the last 8 hours. I drove a friends truck to Lancaster to get an alternator cause no one in town had one.

Now, on to the problem. I changed the engine mount yesterday and when I finished the charge light was on and my gauge reads out about 11 volts. I then went into work and tested the system, no charging voltage. This sounded about right because my buddy who was helping (or rather learning) let the ratchet ground onto the alternator post. Well, I bought a new one yesterday, only to have it come in mis-packaged, hence forth the drive to our Lancaster store (they had one). I get back and the same issue. So, by this time im very, very angry. I replaced battery cables, battery, alternator, and engine ground wire. Im still only getting 12.12-12.20 volts at the battery. The truck will run, but only off the battery. I looked for a charging system fuse, and found nothing. All of my labels are intact and legible. Im at a complete and total loss on this one.

I did try searching but to no avail. The only other option is a hidden fuse or the voltage regulator. But can the regulator regulate too much?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated, as i need to drive her to and from work.

Also, if there is a fuse i missed, just slap me. (happened recently).
Old 08-14-2009, 08:34 PM
  #2  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bump for work tomorrow...
Old 08-14-2009, 09:22 PM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just went out and re-checked all the fuses, everything is good. Replaced the engine ground wire, made sure it had clean contacts, still nothing. Maybe the charge system relay? It doesnt click or anything when running, off, or cranking.
Old 08-14-2009, 10:13 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Okay, relay is functional as far as i can tell. Only option now would be the regulator, have not the slightest clue how to test it. Time for bed, its giving me a migraine.
Old 08-15-2009, 06:14 AM
  #5  
Registered User
 
Etype R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
The new alternator could be bad, just because it was rebuilt does not mean it works.
Old 08-15-2009, 08:13 AM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thats one of the issues im having, i didnt buy reman, I bought new. Im very picky about my parts.
Old 08-15-2009, 09:51 AM
  #7  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Anyone have an idea?
Old 08-15-2009, 01:18 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
abecedarian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Temecula Valley, CA
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
There should be a 7.5A charge fuse. It should be in the fuse block under the hood.
Do you have the internal or external regulator?
Old 08-15-2009, 03:19 PM
  #9  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
external, oval green connector, 5 wire.
Old 08-15-2009, 10:18 PM
  #10  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Okay, I got off work at 930, been out on the truck ever since. I chased the wire with the ring terminal that bolts to the back of the alternator. Checked it with the multimeter. The wire has a sollid connection all the way to the battery, through the 7.5 amp fuse. As far as i can see the alternator is bad. I am going to take it in tomorrow morning and test it. If it comes up bad, im good, if it comes up good, well, lets just hope its bad...

Meanwhile, any have any thoughts on this?
Old 08-17-2009, 10:09 PM
  #11  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Im done. I cant do it anymore. I have replaced every single, stupid charging system component, and it still doesnt charge. Am I completely and utterly stupid, or is this truck a demon sent from hell to ruin my life. Anyway, I cant figure out why it is doing this, there is no reason for it. Anyone know whats wrong? If i cant figure it out by tomorrow, its gone.
Old 08-17-2009, 11:27 PM
  #12  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just posted a question on justanswer.com, hopefully he has a solution. If not it will go to the shop tomorrow for an estimate.
Old 08-18-2009, 09:06 AM
  #13  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
okay, there is something wierd about the brown the connector. When voltage is applied to the rear of it, the charge light goes off, but the volts stay the same.
Old 08-18-2009, 09:20 AM
  #14  
Registered User
 
Etype R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
So the alternator tested good?

When I rewired my FJ40 with a aftermarket harness I could not figure out the alternator wiring for the life of me. I ended up making a bracket to fit a GM 1 wire alternator, doing away with the complex toyota unit. The GM was much easier to setup, though I am not sure how that will affect the computer on a mini truck? Toyota did not make the charging system easy to work on....

Also my 89 pickup stopped charging one day, though that had the 3vze. It ended up being corrosion in the fuse box. I had to pull the fuse back on the drivers side kick panel apart and clean all the connections. Water was finding its way into the fuse box, and caused a short.
Old 08-18-2009, 09:22 AM
  #15  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bypassed the connector, light stayed on, still no charging voltage. Anyone want to buy an 84 pickup with no charging voltage?
Old 08-18-2009, 09:35 AM
  #16  
Registered User
 
yota7357's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Applegate CA
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am having the same problem please let me know how you fix it.
Old 08-18-2009, 09:41 AM
  #17  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thats just it though, i havent. im stuck and done.
Old 08-18-2009, 10:30 AM
  #18  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No ideas at all?
Old 08-18-2009, 12:00 PM
  #19  
Registered User
 
Etype R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Did a google search on GM Alternators in a 22R, lots of info out there.

http://www.toyotaoffroad.com/Article.../chevy_alt.htm

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ght=alternator

I would go with a 1 wire GM alternator, they work very well.
Old 08-18-2009, 02:48 PM
  #20  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
seanmearse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ridgecrest, Ca
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Etype R
Did a google search on GM Alternators in a 22R, lots of info out there.

http://www.toyotaoffroad.com/Article.../chevy_alt.htm

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ght=alternator

I would go with a 1 wire GM alternator, they work very well.
Well, I can only warranty it if its bad, and mine is good, plus i'm limited on cash and time, i need this thing to work as it is, and work now. I have a borrowed truck for a couple more days, and its a gas guzzler, so this needs to get fixed asap on a limited budget.


Quick Reply: Charging system woes



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:31 PM.