First off I want to say the site is awesome. I'm a long time visitor but new member. but down to business, iv got a 82 yota, not charging. I put a new alternator in her twice in the past week, and a new voltage regulator, also new optima and still a no go.. The charge light and e-brake lights stay on in dash... I put the first alternator in and it seemed to work for a few hours then went bad, I then I put the volt reg in, no go. Now the 2nd alt in.. No luck. Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brian

 

well then obviously the next thing to check/replace is wiring.

 

This is a older vehicle like most all of mine !

Things to upgrade are both the positive and negative battery cables and terminals. I use DEKA Marine Battery terminals and #1 welding cable short scrap pieces 5' or 6' long with crimp on ends

Also the wire coming off the alternator B terminal that runs up to the fuse block 8 gauge. I have seen some just get so burnt and brittle because of the thermal cycling they no longer conduct

I have also seen the connections on the plug corrode enough to cause a no charge issue .

It is a pain to see because of where it is located.

 

get a tester and start checking voltages.

 

Ya that's what I'm going to be doin after work today, testing/checking wiring. Thanks for the input guys

 

Unplug one of the wires at the at the battery and put a ammeter in line. How much current you have flowing with nothing on?

 

had the same thing happen to my 84. the smaller wire coming from the pos battery terminal to the fuse panel on the passenger side inner fender had been crimped with a cheap butt connector. my charge light, brake light were on all the time and the truck was idling very high.