Electrical issue, bad alternator?

[uclafan]

I've looked through the forum and was hoping to get some help on what I think is an electrical issue. On the way home tonight, my wife told me that the interior panel lights and headlights on her 2013 LC appear to get dimmer and then bright again, the radio was turning on and shutting off, and the initial screen in the middle of the dashboard on the driver's side was redisplaying the Toyota Landcruiser message repeatedly, almost as if the engine was shutting off and restarting. The vehicle has just turned over 80 k, and is still on the original battery which shows > 12 v. I'm thinking that it's probably not a battery issue as the engine has no problems turning on, but the issue may be related to the alternator or some other electrical problem. The lights dimming and getting bright again seems to occur randomly (no correlation with acceleration). Also, no warning lights show up on the display panel during this time. If it is an alternator issue, is that something that can be changed out without any special tools? Any help in pointing me in the right direction is appreciated!

 

[TexAZ]

Remove the battery terminals and clean them. Sounds like a bad ground.
If you have a voltmeter you can check the alternator output at the battery. With the truck running have someone give it gas and see if the voltage drops or remains in the 13.6-14.2 volt range.

 

[uclafan]

Remove the battery terminals and clean them. Sounds like a bad ground

Ok, will try that first when I get back. Thanks @TexAZ.

 

[highrisk]

The same things are happening to me right now. My truck died in the parking lot at work while I was driving it. Also a 2013.

 

[uclafan]

The same things are happening to me right now. My truck died in the parking lot at work while I was driving it. Also a 2013.

Seemed like it was an one-occurrence situation, but I took the precaution of changing out the 4+ yr old battery to the Interstate 31-AGM7 type. I thought that I told the shop to order the 31P-AGM7, difference being the 31 is a screw-type connector for the terminal rather than the standard terminal. Mechanic did a little modifying to the terminal lugs and it works fine. So far no repeat of the lights dimming and the radio turning on and off. Good luck with your issue, and I'll let you know if we ever figure out what caused this.

 

[highrisk]

Alrighty, what I found out: the battery had a shorted cell.

The LC will not run consistently on just the alternator apparently the voltage is not smooth enough. The dealership replaced the battery and and tested the charging system which checked out fine.

TLDR: I spent the money for my second battery tray and my Odyssey.

 

[razzyrazz]

Seemed like it was an one-occurrence situation, but I took the precaution of changing out the 4+ yr old battery to the Interstate 31-AGM7 type. I thought that I told the shop to order the 31P-AGM7, difference being the 31 is a screw-type connector for the terminal rather than the standard terminal. Mechanic did a little modifying to the terminal lugs and it works fine. So far no repeat of the lights dimming and the radio turning on and off. Good luck with your issue, and I'll let you know if we ever figure out what caused this.

Long shot, but you ever figure it out? I have same issue now, even after replacing battery.

 

[RET2]

Long shot, but you ever figure it out? I have same issue now, even after replacing battery.

I would suggest checking terminals and battery cables.

 

[highrisk]

I would echo the above. The 200 acts very funny if the battery is having issues.

 

[RET2]

Can't we all wait till everything is all electric? Glad I'll be long gone by then.

 

[razzyrazz]

Got the multimeter out and was losing 0.2 volts from the battery to the end of the terminals before the cables. Took terminals off tightened and reattached. I have aftermarket terminals (not slee). 3 connections counting the connection to the battery. No more voltage drop. Just started fine 3 times in a row, after the typical one failed restart after a battery disconnect. First restart had a few lights on the dash (4lo, check engine, VSC) and a P0335 code for crankshaft position sensor. Cleared codes and seems fine. Seems reading P0335 can mean starter issue, but it hasn't come back since I cleared it. Battery reading 12.6 when off and 13.7 when car running which to my limited knowledge is good. That being said, camping season is coming up and I have 107k on the clock so probably will do a preemptive starter replacement soon. Lots of text for most likely just some loose terminals. Thanks for help.

 

[CharlieS]

I suspect this is a pretty common root cause. Nice fix.

 

[VDJ200 2018]

I've looked through the forum and was hoping to get some help on what I think is an electrical issue. On the way home tonight, my wife told me that the interior panel lights and headlights on her 2013 LC appear to get dimmer and then bright again, the radio was turning on and shutting off, and the initial screen in the middle of the dashboard on the driver's side was redisplaying the Toyota Landcruiser message repeatedly, almost as if the engine was shutting off and restarting. The vehicle has just turned over 80 k, and is still on the original battery which shows > 12 v. I'm thinking that it's probably not a battery issue as the engine has no problems turning on, but the issue may be related to the alternator or some other electrical problem. The lights dimming and getting bright again seems to occur randomly (no correlation with acceleration). Also, no warning lights show up on the display panel during this time. If it is an alternator issue, is that something that can be changed out without any special tools? Any help in pointing me in the right direction is appreciated!

What was the result? Faulty alternator..
I have a 2018 200, wouldn't start this morning. So i jumped started it and it threw engine, stability and ! light on the dash. Had battery tested last week and waas told the battery is 100% healthy, but also mentioned the alternator isn't charging at its peak.