Bad alternator & no power to dash (newb)

[kauaifj40]

I have a problem with my 88 fj62. My alternator went out this morning while driving to town and now i dont have power going to my dash and stereo, a/c blower fan, gauge lights and digital clock. I noticed my stereo went quiet and the clock were blank. No change in engine running when this happened. All gauges still work properly just no gauge lights. Head lights, blinkers and wipers work. I tested power with a volt meter, 12.6v with car off and at idle(optima yellow top battery) so no charging from alternator. I will be picking up and installing a new alternator on monday as our NAPA is closed already. Anybody experienced this before? Any help would be great.

Thanks

 

[Output Shaft]

Your alternator, or the internal voltage regulator may have died but if it did while you were driving everything would still work till the battery voltage got too low.

Check the fusible link and all the fuses and heater fan circuit breaker. The alternator could have given one last hurrah before it kicked the bucket and spiked the voltage to 17 volts or so before keeling over.