Yesterday my girlfriends 90runner died on her. She was at a light and lost power to the radio first, then all the electronics went out [blinkers, lights, etc.]. When she tried to accelerate once the light turned green the truck began to sputter. She was able to drive it about half a block and then it just died.

I went and jummped started it for her and we were able to drive it home but as soon as she tried to roll up the back window it killed the motor. Jumped it again and got it up into the driveway.

My question is:

What the hells wrong with it, Alternator? The battery is only a few weeks old so it shouldn't be that unless the alternator is bad and not doing it's job. She going to try to get it down to the dealership tomorrow but I'm worried about them just replacing EVERYTHING for the low, low price of say...$3000!

Anyone have any ideas? Need more info, just ask me.

 

Check the battery connections, terminals and wiring. Make sure that they are tight and clean. Since the battery is new, it is possible the terminal ends are not tight or came loose.

Is the alternator belt tension tight? If not, it could be slipping.

It could also be the alternator.

 

my friend had the same problem, and they got a new alternator and it was fixed

 

Did you have any warning lights before? On my 90 the parking brake light and charging light were on for about a week, before my alternator quit. It had the similar symptoms, fortunately, I limped home just before it totally quit.
Good luck!

 

Yeah, she told me that the lights came on about three blocks before she started having problems. The check engine, battery, parking break and AT Trans lights all came on.

Thanks for the responses on this. Just hoping to check what I can before she takes it down to the DEALership.

 

That definately sounds like alternator to me (when the dashboard lights up like a christmas tree).

 

I used to have an Old 81 Toy Pickup that did the same thing. Replace alternator same problem, replaced battery same problem. Turned out to be the voltage regulator.

Dunno if her 4Runner has one of these

Just my two cents

 

I think I'm gonna pull the alternator out tonight and take it down to Kragens/Pep Boys and have em test it.

Not sure about the regulator, maybe someone else with a 3.0 v6 can verify if there is one and if so...where it is.

 

I vote for the alt too! I had a few Alts blow on my 89 Trans Am, same symptoms. Make sure when they test it they test it with a load.

 

The voltage regulator in built into the alternator, a new or rebuilt alternator will have a new regulator.

 

Yep what he said.....2 birds, one stone.

 

nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnICE!!!