I've got an '83 4wd pickup. This morning both the charge and brake light stayed on after starting the truck. The parking brake was definitely off. I noticed the windshield wipers have only one speed, very slow. I assume the alternator is going bad and doesn't have enough 'juice' to power things rather than the battery since the truck starts just fine. I just don't see why both the brake and charge light came at the same time as neither has come on before. I've got to assume they are related.

Anybody have any ideas why both would come on at the same time? The owner's manual gives me no information other than the charging and brake systems need to be looked at.

 

Read this page:
- http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...nator_brushes/

 

same thing happened on my '91 and it was the alternator, replaced it and no problems since.

 

Thanks guys, I knew they had to be related!

 

OK, there has to be some secret to getting the alternator out of the vehicle! I'd like to know if there's an easier way than draining the radiator and pulling the bottom hose off. I'm not even sure that will make enough room. I've got dogs that frequent the garage and I'd rather not be draining coolant, if possible.

 

Usually easiest to drain and pull the lower hose, especially w/ power steering. Drain into a bucket then refill the rad. after you are done. MAy be able to squeeze the alt by the lower hose or if no p/s, pull it out the top.

 

Hi guys,

New here and working on my daughters 86 22r pickup. I also am having trouble with both the brake and charge light being on all the time. They weren't on before and I was trying to test her electric choke by putting a jumper wire to her choke coil terminal. Next thing I know I have the brake and charge lights on. The alternator is fairly new and putting out 14.5 VDC. The brake cylinder is full and the parking brake switch is fine. I noticed in the fuse box under the hood that there is a 7.5A fuse marked charge which was burned out. I replaced this fuse and it seems to make no difference. The alternator still charges at 14.5V with the fuse in or out. Someone mentioned a relay that kicks the dash lights off after the car starts and sees alternator voltage. Where is this relay? Thanks for the wealth of knowledge I've seen so far on these forums.
Andy

 

I just replaced the alternator and didn't think to test it's voltage output.

As a follow up to my last post, though, I did drain the radiator and pull the bottom hose but was still unable to get the alternator out. I ended up pulling the line from the power steering pump and was able to pull the alternator out from the top. I simply put a small container under the nut to catch the PS fluid and added new when it was back.