4RunnerKat

Hey guys, I've been having some wacky electrical issues with my truck, and was wondering if it's just time for a new alternator, here is where the gauge is at now with nothing but the truck running, seems high to me, what say you??

B_Mac

I am not a mechanic so take what I say with a grain of salt. It is often hard to tell by just looking at the gauge. Did you just start your truck? Any electronics on? Heater Fan, A/C, Radio, Lighting...? This could be a sign of a weak battery, especially if you just started your vehicle, the alternator it going to be trying to catch up. You can take your battery out and take it to NAPA Auto Parts, or probably any auto parts store and they will test it for free. If you have a volt meter you might try to see how much the alternator is putting out.

abecedarian

+1 on check with a volt meter.
shouldn't read more than about 14.5 volts.

Matt16

That gauge reads high on mine as well. I don't think its accurate.

"Wacky" or "weird" electricals are almost always a bad ground or bad alternator.

a4runnerfreak

Thats where mine reads, with nothing going. No heater, stereo, nothing

girlcrazy_4

mine reads there also but drops to the middle with lights/fogs and stereo.

Ezrider_92356

you need to check with a meter the stock gauges are very inaccurate and meant to me a glorified idiot light.

GorgeRunner

That's where my gauge reads as well. Usually, when the alternator is charging at a constant, high rate, it means the battery is dying and is not holding a charge. I think the gauge is not really that accurate.

904_runner

When mine is running it gets up there, i don't think its that far up. But i cant remember.

The only thing that irrates me is when the turn signal is on, the gauge pulses to the lights???

its done that since i got it a little over a year ago.