I am in need of some brainstorming and advice for my ’99 Tacoma 4x4. I will be needing to take it in to have an issue with the battery light looked at. Please keep in mind that I’m currently living at a house with no access to either a garage or tools to work on it myself or check for what might be wrong. It’s also 20 degrees outside, so no garage + no tools = no fun. I am looking for advice on what to tell the mechanic/service person. I’ll more than likely be going to the local Toyota dealer as I recently moved back into town and don’t have any good connections for mechanics in west Michigan/Grand Rapids other than the Toyota dealer where I bought it. So here goes my tale of woe:

1) Sunday afternoon the battery light came on and I replaced the battery on Tuesday. This morning, Wednesday, one day later, battery light goes on again as I’m driving to work and stays on 5-10 minutes. Goes out when I get to work.
2) I replaced the alternator just over a year ago. Bought it at Napa, so far, so good on the alternator. I’m not experiencing any dimming or loss of power when everything is on the truck has been started.

3) I recently (early December) had the timing belt replaced. Since then an intermittent high pitched squeal appears once in a while first thing in the morning, especially on cold days. This is happening less often now and not at all in past weeks.
4) Occasionally am not able to start up. Dash lights come on, no sound, no start. Starts just fine after a few tries. I thought it was just me not depressing the clutch pedal down all the way. But am beginning to wonder.

Any words of wisdom will be gratefully appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.


peace.
l

 

Might want to have the battery and charging system tested under load. Also see if the alternator belt is slipping (might explain the noise).

 

thanks 4crawler. I just got back from having it tested. the belt was replaced and I do need a new alternator. an alternator is being delivered to my parts guys and i'm bringing it back to the dealer's shop and they will install for me wednesday nite.