BJ70 electrics?

[Jan-78FJ40]

Here are monday's BJ70 questions-just got the truck, and there is a lot to learn.

I noticed that after start up in the morning some warning lights flicker a bit-the battery charging light, the water sedimenter warning, and the emergency brake.
everything works, and it does not happen after it is warmed up. 85 BJ70 12V dual batteries.
ground problems? alternator on the way out?

and a gas mileage question: I averaged 19 mpg during city and highway driving, is this normal or low. truck does not smoke and runs well (as far as I can tell).
thanks for the help,
J

 

[Greg_B]

Do the lights all flicker even when you bump the idle up a bit just after starting? If you are at ldle after just starting the truck the lights can flicker till you bump it and the charging system kicks in. If this is not it, then pull the brushes and take a look. Replacement is relatively easy, or you could just pull the brush holder, take to your local starter/alt rebuilder shop and they can solder in the new ones for you.

19 USMPG is on the low side, but depends on your driving habits/tire size etc. Are you running a fuel additive like Howes or Standyne?

gb

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

lights flicker only until it is warmed up, as long as the rpms are low. I'll have the brushes checked, thanks for the advice.

The truck is on 31 tires, and I drive her carefully-thought that 19 mpg was a bit low. no additives added. according to the PO the injectors have been changed not too long ago. what do I look for if I want to tune her up and better the mileage?
thanks again, J

 

[mikeyT]

I had that happen just a couple of months ago in my '70 after work. Warning lights flickered on start up, went away, flickered again before I took the highway home (2 am), decided to take the side streets home. At one point, the power steering went stiff for a couple of seconds. Then, not far from home, charge light and brake warning came on and stayed on, steering was stiff and brakes were ultra stiff. I pulled over fast and looked under the hood, and could see this widening black puddle under the vehicle.

It was dark, so a quick sniff confirmed it was motor oil. I looked back under the hood and saw my harmonic balancer hanging in the air, still on the belts.

The key on the crank broke. It turned out to be an easy fix. I had a spare puller/balancer and a spare key. There was NO damage to the crank. The broken key reamed out the inside of the old pulley, though.

When I saw all that oil, I thought the motor had bought it. At 335K km, I would have simply gotten down on my knees, bowed and wished my fine motor Godspeed. As it is, we'll be together for a while longer.

Now, I doubt very much that's your problem. Your lights would stay on at some point and there'd be other symptoms. I'm just telling the story for the sake of the story.

Oil drip onto that pulley?

Good luck

 

[crushers]

there is a relay in the dash above the glove box. when this starts to go then all the warning lights start to flicker, mine have been doing this since i got it back from the states. Brett informed me about this common problem.
cheers

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

Thanks, this makes perfect sense. when the lights flicker I can hear a clicking under the dash at the glovebox.
any idea where I can get such a relay? G+S, 4wheel?
thanks again,
J

 

[crushers]

dealer $65C

 

[coldtaco]

Mines 24V but it does the same thing. I just have to stab the throttle to get up above 1300rpm(?) and the lights all go out. Seems like the alt. needs a little extra rpm to kick in, then all seems ok.

 

[crushers]

the worse it gets the louder it gets, i can hear mine when i first start it up outside the truck with the doors closed, i guess i best be ordering a replacement...

 

[hj60]

I'd check the condition/tension of all your belts.
Not all bad/loose belts squeal. Cheap fix if that's all it is.
If oil (or worse, PS fluid) has dripped on a pulley/belt, it could also cause a non squealing belt
issue.
I had one (on my 2F) invert, no longer move the accessory and never made a peep.