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

Charging system woes

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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 07:39 PM
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From: Ridgecrest, Ca
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).
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 08:34 PM
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Bump for work tomorrow...
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 09:22 PM
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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.
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 10:13 PM
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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.
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 06:14 AM
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The new alternator could be bad, just because it was rebuilt does not mean it works.
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 08:13 AM
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Thats one of the issues im having, i didnt buy reman, I bought new. Im very picky about my parts.
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 09:51 AM
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Anyone have an idea?
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 01:18 PM
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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?
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 03:19 PM
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From: Ridgecrest, Ca
external, oval green connector, 5 wire.
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 10:18 PM
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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?
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 10:09 PM
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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.
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Old Aug 17, 2009 | 11:27 PM
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From: Ridgecrest, Ca
Just posted a question on justanswer.com, hopefully he has a solution. If not it will go to the shop tomorrow for an estimate.
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 09:06 AM
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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.
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 09:20 AM
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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.
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 09:22 AM
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Bypassed the connector, light stayed on, still no charging voltage. Anyone want to buy an 84 pickup with no charging voltage?
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 09:35 AM
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I am having the same problem please let me know how you fix it.
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 09:41 AM
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thats just it though, i havent. im stuck and done.
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 10:30 AM
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From: Ridgecrest, Ca
No ideas at all?
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 12:00 PM
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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.
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 02:48 PM
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From: Ridgecrest, Ca
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.
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