Hey guys, i've been dealing with this problem for a while. Every time I start my truck, by the way it's an 81 pick up 4x4, the alternator light comes on, then what I'll do is rev it pass 2300 rpms and then it goes off.

I already tried replacing the voltage regulator and nothing changed. I took off the alternator and send it to an auto electrical especialty shop and they told me it was good, that it was putting out enough voltage.

So what now?

This problem started the moment they gave me back my truck after paint. The painter said that it was like that, that they didn't do anything to the electrical (everybody always say that).

Can it be a ground issue?

if so, where are the closest ground connections to check?

Any help would greatly be appreciated!

 

We’re not helping until we see the paint job!!!

 

if that's what it takes to get some help!

Here you go.

Bear in mind this is just when i got it back from the shop. It's missing the rear bumber, side lights and all the decals!

 

Very clean!
who needs an alternator with a good lucking truck like that?
If youre battery dies, some nice young lady will stop and help you out.

They probably unbolted a ground is my guess. Put a dc volt meter on the battery while running. It should read 13 or more if youre charging. 12 or less and that light means you have a problem.

 

Check the tension on your belt too.

 

swampedout is correct on where to start, check the battery voltage both running and not, belt tension, and battery cables.
since the paint shop surely had it for a while you can bet on one of two things, either they disconnected the battery in which case the cable ends may be loose or the cable to clamp got wiggled/worked around and has increased resistance, or they let the battery run dead and had to jump start it. Which may mean one of their flunkies (lot lizards) hooked the cables up backwards, (this wouldn't likely cause your symptoms though, it would probably not charge at all).

Nice looking truck, I see they painted over the lock cylinder. Does this mean that it was painted at Freddy Fender's Forty Foot Body Works? (only looks good from 40 feet or more) Or was that intentional?

 

Taht was one of the thing i checked first, i looked for loose grounds and the ones i saw i took them off, sanded both surfaces and put them back and it's the same.

When i start it, the voltage is about 12, but when i rev it pass 2300 rpms, the votlage rises to about 14-15 votls and stays there and the light for the battery goes off.

I already replaced the votlage regulator and it did not do a thing.

As for the belt, its tight, but not too tight.

And yes the guy painted over my lock cycinder, I already took the paint off, I had t remove the cylinder from the door and scrape the paint off.

I'm also attaching a photo of my ohter baby, its a 2019 Toyoyta Hilux, sadly not 4WD, they only had them with a diesel engine and I wanted the gas version, I mainly use it for trips out of town!

 

Is it a stock alternator or a one wire, as some 1 wire versions need rpms to start charging. You might need a smaller pulley

 

Yea you should be charging even at idle

 

Those hiluxes r cool. It must be a case of greener grass on the other side of the fence, i think those body styles look better than the tacoma. Im a gas head too, especially with the cost of diesel now.

 

I haven't checked how many wires are comming off the alternator, i only remember that i did pull on them to check if they were loose.

And YES, they are really cool. I love my hilux, plenty of power, no problems runnig up hill, not even in fifth gear!

 

My 83 does the same thing....when RPM's go above 2100 lights goes out...(my alternator and brake light comes on).

I have never had a charging issue so I have never tried to correct it....but now I am going to look for loose ground.