Alternator problems?

[80jay]

Ok I got home from work went to crank the 80 up, dead! So I jumped it drove of no problems, until I noticed after 15-20 min of driving it was not charging.

So I drove it back home tested all the neceseary things to troubleshoot the charging system, by the way the alternator is only 5months old but it has seen a lot of deep water. The one thing i noticed was i was not getting a charge light or a/t temp light or brake light when i was turning the key over to ignition.

So i pulled the feed that charges the battery from the alternator, all the lights came back, So my question is Faulty alternator or what?
This is on a 91fj.

 

[alkaline747trio]

Is this an Advance/Autozone/Napa alternator, or Toyota OEM?

 

[80jay]

John collins, Napa equivelant, Also I need some one to enlighten me on what the IC regulator is? same as voltage regulator.

 

[alkaline747trio]

I've had issues with all but OEM Toyota alternators...my current one is a junkyard pull and has outlasted everything else. Not 100% on what the IC reg is, but I think it is a voltage regulator of sorts.

 

[80jay]

Well tomorrow ill go get a new one from this company since it has a one year warranty and then go from there, and see if that is the problem. thankyou

 

[alkaline747trio]

I wish I could be more help, but if the connections are good then it is the alternator.

 

[instigator]

are the volt reg and brushes replaceable in the toyota units?

 

[PabloVTA]

TTT

I notice my idle drops at a stop and the dash gauge drops to the half way line on the voltage gauge. then, when I tap the gas, it goes up inside the two hash marks and runs smoother. I just went and had the Optima charged fully from being dead, but the thing still cranks it over every morning for me. CCA's rule I guess, but not so much for the rest of the system.

I have sat at a light and watched the gauge go down and up with each blink of a turn signal, and then come up to normal range and the idle fixes itself after about a minute or two.
Is this something with a connection or deeper in the charging system? I have just cleaned all connections and terminals.

Does anyone have an upgrade for Alternator Cables?

I also notice a static sound in the radio more now and wonder if I have resistance somewhere or an open link or something, without tearing down the whole vehicle, where would you start looking for the cause? it makes noise when i touch any switch, even the heater when I change the temp. Windows, seat, all of it.

another electrical gremlin I have is in the doors, when you open them, the dome lights switches stick shut and the dome lights won't come on. Anyone know of a way to clean these and not break off the plastic or contaminate them?

anyone ever have their rear window defroster stop working? mine has and I'm thinking that is a good place to start hunting, but not sure where the wires go once inside the body panels. Is this something that could be frayed up in the engine compartment or water damage from one of the rear slider windows?

thanks for the help.

Here's to you "FZJ80 electrical Guru's"
Real American Heroes!