After reading a few threads, I suspect the alternator. The classic "battery and brake" warning lights come on sporadically. Everything else works. After having belts changed a while back, I first suspected a loose belt. I brought it back to the mech. who replaced the belts. He said everything checked out (the lights actually came on for him too), but that a belt was a little loose, so he tightened it. Two days later the lights are back on.

1. Can an alternator go in and out?

2. What is the next step? New alternator? And if so, any particular brand?

Thanks

Bill

 

Your alternator could be going out. You might want to check all the wires for secure connections.
If you have a voltmeter, hook it up to the battery when the car is not running. It should read in the higher 12v range. Start the engine with the meter still on the battery. If your alternator is working correctly the meter should now read slightly over 14 volts. Turn on the lights and the heater and it should drop a bit and then even out. If this is working, your alternator is fine, if it isn't, then either you have some bad wires somewhere, possibly just loose, or you need a new alternator. Best of luck.

 

I had a spare alternator from a stripped down truck. Most suggest rebuilding your factory alternator and it is supposed to be cheap. There is a write up on Yotatech somewhere on how to do it but dont remember where I found it.

 

It sounds like your brushes are going out, they are pretty easy and cheap, they are under $10 from the dealership if I remember right.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...nator_brushes/