Hey all!

So I went waist deep in mud and all was fine for a couple days now I get AT Oil, Battery and Hand Brake lights on.

Battery still has charge (and it's new). Checked voltage at battery when car is running, it's at around 12.00v, revving or not. Alternator dead?

86 4runner 22re

 

 

Can I wash the alternator while it's running? I've read some posts that say yes... just really would want confirmation before doing this. I tried washing it not running, and it didn't change anything. Perhaps there's mud really lodged in there and needs a proper wash while running?

 

Water and electricity are not friends, the voltage regulator is very likely damaged due to being shorted out.

 

If it were mine, I'd take the alternator out, disassemble it, which is pretty easy, and clean it really well. Once disassembled, there are some tests you can do with a multimeter to verify the diodes, if you want more information on this I can probably dig it up, I know I found some tests in my 1988 Factory Service Manual, and more tests in a FSM for a different year. And you can check continuity of the rotor. Also a good time to check the condition of your brushes. I was also able to use both a 12V source and an 18V source to verify that my regulator was doing its job. Then you can put it all back together and take it to Autozone\Advance or maybe OReilly's or NAPA and get it tested. In my case, my power steering had leaked onto my alternator and ruined my regulator, it was not putting out any voltage, so I swapped in the regulator from another alternator that I had.