Broke down for the first time in 20+ years (1 Viewer)

[nspindel]

01LC original owner, 235K on the clock.

Had beautiful lower level 50-yard line seats to The Rolling Stones in Tampa last night. We never made it to the show…

Raymond James Stadium is about a half hour ride from home 10 minutes into the trip, the car died. First we noticed that the new Pioneer head unit we installed was cycling on and off and the antenna was going up and down with it. I was at a red light ten cars deep, so I figured I’d shut down and restart, as that has cleared weirdness in the Pioneer before. Except the car wouldn’t start. Just rapid clicking and dashboard lights on and dim. I’ve seen this before with battery issues, so my first thought went to the battery. But mid-ride, it wouldn’t be the battery, it’s more than likely going to be the alternator.

But to my knowledge when an alternator goes bad it doesn’t go right from on to off, it’s going to wear down and start showing issues like the battery not charging.

I have had zero issues starting the car lately. I’ve had nothing to happen to suspect any problem with the battery, and it’s a rather new battery as well. The car had started right up 10 minutes ago.

Belt?

 

[badlander]

Did you hear any unusual whining sounds varying with engine rpm prior to the event. This would indicate an alternator on its way out, usually from worn out brushes.

 

[Couvi]

I still think it could be the battery, start there for sure. Mine did the same thing and turned out my fairly new battery was shot. Good luck.

 

[nspindel]

Actually come to think of it there was a strange whining noise I noticed that day. Hadn’t even thought about that.

As for the battery, can a dying battery stop a running vehicle with a good alternator?

 

[toyuda]

I had an alternator go out quickly on a honda. Charging light came on and car ran and started fine. Within hours took it to Advance for charging diagnosis which showed good battery voltage and slightly low alternator output. Planned on replacing alternator. Drove home and when I returned to car an hour later garage was filled with white smoke and battery had 7 volts left. Very memorable. Towed to shop, needed new battery and alt, and tech said alternator had grounded. On speaking to family member who drove that car, there may have been an alternator noise in the days prior that was never mentioned.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Actually come to think of it there was a strange whining noise I noticed that day. Hadn’t even thought about that.

As for the battery, can a dying battery stop a running vehicle with a good alternator?

A really dead battery can act as an energy sink and soak up enough juice to affect the electrical system as a whole, but that's pretty unusual, especially if the battery had enough juice to start the car. I'd rule that out.

I've had two alternators die on the 100 series. Both times the first clue was a slightly slow crank, but this was very minor. Didn't think much of it either time. The big clue was when the stereo would click off and on while idling. I'd then check voltage gauge and realize voltage was low.

Sounds exactly like you have a dead alternator.

 

[ramangain]

I'd gander a dash of Brown Sugar will fix the issue!

 

[medtro]

01LC original owner, 235K on the clock.

235k miles on alternator?

 

[nspindel]

235k miles on alternator?

Yup. Original factory.

 

[medtro]

Yup. Original factory.

My guess is the alternator if there is no corrosion or connection issue.

 

[nspindel]

Makes sense

 

[crimsonaudio]

"First we noticed that the new Pioneer head unit we installed was cycling on and off"

If this is a new install I'd check your wiring here first. Could be causing a parasitic drain that meant the battery had just enough juice to start the truck once but wasn't able to recharge before you tried again.

 

[nspindel]

"First we noticed that the new Pioneer head unit we installed was cycling on and off"

If this is a new install I'd check your wiring here first. Could be causing a parasitic drain that meant the battery had just enough juice to start the truck once but wasn't able to recharge before you tried again.

 

[nspindel]

Negative. Stereo has been in for about 4 years working perfectly.

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

you should have at least ubered the rest of the 20 minutes to the concert. LOL

 

[nspindel]

Could not leave my Land Cruiser on the side of the road like that. Even if I wanted to, my wife never would have!

 

[CBdeJ]

My alternator went pretty quickly. I watched the voltage output slowly drop through half a day before my battery could no longer run the truck. Mine died at the East Gate of the Grand Canyon and got a ride on a flat bed into Flagstaff. Fortunately, it was night by the time it was loaded on the tow truck. Harder for the Range/Land Rover crowd to see it.

 

[nspindel]

Grand Canyon alternator death might just be more impressive than missing the Rolling Stones show.

 

[LCT]

01LC original owner, 235K on the clock.

Had beautiful lower level 50-yard line seats to The Rolling Stones in Tampa last night. We never made it to the show…

Raymond James Stadium is about a half hour ride from home 10 minutes into the trip, the car died. First we noticed that the new Pioneer head unit we installed was cycling on and off and the antenna was going up and down with it. I was at a red light ten cars deep, so I figured I’d shut down and restart, as that has cleared weirdness in the Pioneer before. Except the car wouldn’t start. Just rapid clicking and dashboard lights on and dim. I’ve seen this before with battery issues, so my first thought went to the battery. But mid-ride, it wouldn’t be the battery, it’s more than likely going to be the alternator.

But to my knowledge when an alternator goes bad it doesn’t go right from on to off, it’s going to wear down and start showing issues like the battery not charging.

I have had zero issues starting the car lately. I’ve had nothing to happen to suspect any problem with the battery, and it’s a rather new battery as well. The car had started right up 10 minutes ago.

Belt?

My battery light came on and shortly after the dash lit up like a Christmas tree and it was beeping. Battery level was around 9V, so rushed home and put it on a charger. Once fully charged, disconnected lights, turned the internal display off and drove it ~10 miles to my land cruiser specialist and had him replace the alternator.
Based on my research, not all alternator failure modes/obervations are the same. Some notice the headlight go dim prior to alternator failure, some hear the noise, some notice the radio cutting out, etc.
If your battery is good and connections are good, then most likely it is the alternator. I bought a Denso alternator from rock auto and held on to my original to refurb in case the Denso one goes kaput.

 

[2001LC]

Dash lights dim while turning key to start or don't come on as key turned to on is a clue
1) Poor battery clamp connection(s), possibly loose (do not overtighten, as damages clamp). This may or may not have sulfated battery, do to not full charging every time engine running..
2) Corroded or oxidation battery post and clamps. This may or may not have sulfated battery, do to not full charging every time engine running.
3) Alternator dead or overcharging. Very often squealing heard hours even months prior to failure. I find more failure if front (#1 skid) undershielding missing.
4) Bad starter. In this case dash bright until key turned to start is a big clue.

I replaced 3 alternators in last ~9 mo's. OEM reman is best replacement we can get, IMHO. Don't buy those cheap Chinese alternators, they will not last.

One bad alternator was in my 07LX. I had been hearing a squeal at times. Stethoscope did help find alternator as possible squeal location, during no squeal (sounded rough!) period (wouldn't squeal while I was looking). I was at Toyota getting some parts, and came out to no start condition. Parts guys lent me a new battery and reman alternator. I used tools from tool kit to replace battery, and back on road in 5 minutes. Got home charged old battery and alternator tested 12.76V at 2,500 RPM all accessories on ( output a little low). R&R alternator and tested at 13.9V at 2,500 all accessories on. Returned the battery and paid for OEM reman alternator. Has worked without issue since and squeal never returned. Sound with stethoscope very clean now.

I suspect old alternator, was not OEM, but wasn't sure. Often times I pull bad alternate and find they're clearly not OEM.
New Toyota reman on left

old