Hi everyone, new to the toyota thing, well not Too new, i used to have a 80 toyota but had a 5.0L v8 and was pretty modified, not your typical toyota so pretty easy to manage as its like 3 wires to make it go and im relatively familiar with smallblock chevys, anyways, ive picked up an 85 4runner and thought itd be a good idea to join this site and learn something and maybe share with others things as well, it came with a diesel and a turbo but the turbo doesnt seem factory and the diesel probobly isnt either, i drove it home and it just isnt charging, all the electrical dies after a lengthy boost and run but obviously the deisel just keeps on keepin on, ive looked over the electrical a bit and havent really found any issues that are pretty obvious, it seems all together. Not sure what to do. Fusable link??
Does anyone have any ideas???
Thanks for any input.

 

Sounds like it is time to break out the multimeter and do some checking.

Does it have an alternator or generator ??

6 or12 VDC system??

 

Yup lol.. ill get her boosted tomorrow and have a looksee.
Im pretty sure its an altinator.
Cant tell you yet if its a 6v or 12v, im guessing 12v as the battery in it is 12v but, may not mean anything.
Any way i can check to ID?

 

my question is, where did you find a diesel '85 4runner. Are you in Canada? I didn't think the US got those.

 

The multi meter mentioned in post 2 will tell you if it is 6 or 12 volts...
Unless the previous owner threw in a pre 66 volkswagen generator it is gonna be 12v.

 

I normally live in canada but i am in australia with a work visa and picked this thing up. Ill have to get it boosted later today to find out if its 6 or 12v and its in an awkward spot.

 

Does anyone know if this engine needs a PVC valve?
Im just checking it out and im not seeing one. I have oil in the intake tube before the turbo but im not sure the turbo itself is leaking.
Or is it just a PVC hose this has?
I ask cuz im used to having PVC valves on the engines i always play with.
Btw the batteries on charge ill be able to start it in a while.

 

So shes a 12V, pretty sure its an altinator, and the relay isnt making any noise.
Startin to think the altinator has shat the bed.

 

Stop saying you're pretty sure it's the altErnator, and don''t replace the altErnator until you have verified it's really bad, you understand how charging system works, and that the rest of the circuit is good. Otherwise, you'll be chasing your tail.
Find the schematic, Get a volt-meter. Next to our senses - touch, hearing, smell, sight AND common- that's the best diagnostic tool for electrical issues.
See my signature for explanation how charging system works.

 

Sorry, altErnator.
I got it fired up and used the multimeter and the saw less then 12 volts on the alternator and battery. The charge light has been on since i got it and nothing like the fusable link is hot and the relay isnt making any odd noises so, im pretty convinced the alternator is whats dead.

 

NP

You can spend lots of money on a new alternator, or you can do a couple more simple voltage checks that would not cost you a thing, only a few minutes.
Did you look at my post on HOW the system works?
Have you checked if alternator is getting excitation current on Terminal IG?
Like I said, you still need to verify that the rest of the system is good, before you put in a new alternator.

We have seen many people put new alternators, into a system that is broken, and think the new alternators are bad, too. Then they pay the store many visits, they either make make friends with the clerks or clerks get sick of seeing them - LOL!

Cheers!

 

Im not sure what you mean by post on how the system works. Is there a link you put up?
Im not sure i checked the excitation, i did check a terminal on the alternator and it was only equivilant to the batteries voltage. The fusable link on it seems to be ok. No fuses are blown.
Well i hope im not another one of those guys haha but i might be today lol!
Lol! Well i hope ive checked it over enough to see that the alternator is done. Ill let you know a little later today, going to pick one up. Worst case i can sell it for at least close to what i paid or keep it as a spare.
This system is deffinatly not as simple as my old SBC setups.
And im not going to buy a new one just a used one verified that its in working order

 

Well shes charging now.
Thanks for the advice!

 

Good to know. What fixed it?

 

Just another alternator.
Also there seems to be something on this one i found that wasnt on the one i had. A little round thing bolted to the rear housing of the alternator. Not sure what it is. I figured id just throw a used one in from the local auto wrecker and see if itd work as after some probing around with the multimeter showed no more then the batteries voltage. Seems like it was dead from the get go of having this. Its running great now.