!990 Toyota 4runner sr5...200,000 miles. My "brake,battery & a/t oil temp light" stays on for long periods of driving time and the charge guage needle is hovering above the 1/2 way mark. Then once in awhile, all the "idiot" lights go out and charge needle goes back up to normal range. When using turn signals,charge needle flucuates with turn signal.
Belt is good n tight,battery is 8 months old,battery cables are 1 yr old and I just recently removed them,cleaned all connections and tightened back on. rechecked all cable ends and their good.
With these lights on my dash cluster speratically coming on and staying on for periods, is this an indication that the alternator is getting ready to fry?
I had the charging system checked about a month ago, and all was good.
Could this still be the alternator? voltage regulator? (which is most likely in the alternator).
If I do find this being an alternator problem. Any tips before I tackle removal and isntallation? As par for course, it's in an unsavory spot and looks to be a real knuckle buster.
Yes, I have a Hanes manual and I do all the repair work on my runner. So,yes. I can do this. Just looking for some pre-tips.
Thanx!
Dutch
P.S. The alternator looks original.

 

probably the alternator. My 1985 motorhome did a similar thing. Test it per instructions in a service manual. The regulator is in the alternator. I'm not sure what options you have on your truck, but If you have a lot, its probably easier to get at it from the bottom.

 

You can pull the alternator off and take it to AutoZone to get it tested. It's more accurate than when they test it on the truck.

Rob

 

Yeah, it is(by looks),most likely easier to get from the bottom. I'm not 100% convinced just yet, so I'm trying to do some trouble shooting and looking for loose wires and such. I'm not really into breaking knuckels and spending a lot of time to remove the alternator,just to have it tested. If I decide to pull this alternator, to hell with any testing. I'll just put a new one in.
Like I had mentioned. I'm just not 100% convinced it's the alternator...not yet.