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86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

Alt. light flickers

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Old Jan 4, 2012 | 04:06 PM
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sechott's Avatar
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Alt. light flickers

I noticed every once in a while my alt. light flashes real quick at idle. The engine doesn't miss, aftermarket volt meter reads over 14 and doesn't flicker. It will just flash maybe once a minute or not at all. It is so quick I had to deliberately sit and watch it to see what the light said. '88 DLX 3.0 5spd
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Old Jan 4, 2012 | 05:15 PM
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From: Oceanside, CA.
I know this sounds stupid and maybe my truck is demented but mine does it when the master cylinder is low.

Not kidding
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Old Jan 4, 2012 | 05:52 PM
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From: monroe nc
alternator brushes? easy fix did mine a few years back.
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Old Jan 4, 2012 | 06:04 PM
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Mine did that right before the alt died on me.
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Old Jan 5, 2012 | 02:34 AM
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Thanks.
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Old Jan 5, 2012 | 03:56 AM
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From: TENN Native Languishing in Virginia
Could also be a ground issue. The wiring, harnesses & connections/connectors are all getting old & brittle. Check all the major grounds (ECU, fusebox underhood, frame, engine, body, etc.).
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Old Jan 6, 2012 | 01:57 AM
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That maybe the case rabbit, I would imagine the volt meter would flicker when it flashes.
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 04:35 AM
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Update, my alternator stopped charging, I replaced the brushes just 5 dollar fix. Bearings and relator seemed in good shape.
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by sechott
... I would imagine the volt meter would flicker when it flashes.
Probably not (but you just determined that yourself!) An "automotive" voltmeter has lots of damping, if for no other reason than to keep the needle from jiggling on rough roads. I would be surprised if it reacted fast enough to catch anything you'd call a "flicker."
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