Help! - Charging system light on road trip

[BigMF]

All, I was literally 5 minutes from pulling into the Great Sand Dunes National Park when my charging system light came on. After parking, I checked via the voltage meter I have installed with a power outlet in the back that the voltage while running is 11.6. I have 1000 miles to drive in order to get home. Any suggestions as to what to look for first?

FYI, I’ve had a Jackery plugged in the whole trip to keep the fridge running. Have had zero issues up to this point.

thanks!

 

[Sandroad]

For sure check the battery terminals and the ground connection for the negative right there beside the battery? How old is the battery? If you don't know if it's good, replace the battery? Unplug the Jackery and re-check voltage? Those are the easy things. It could be a failing alternator, but not that likely on an '11 unless it's been dunked or dusted to death?

 

[RET2]

Suggest you head for an auto parts store that can test both your battery and alternator, further unplug the Jackery till things are sorted out.

 

[TeCKis300]

Oof. Sounds like the alternator is not doing its job and it's drawing from the batt to sustain. Did you cross river or mud recently?

Going to need to resolve the alternator issue to do that length of travel unfortunately. Should be seeing 13-14 volts with the engine running. Possibly the alternator, integrated regulator, or check the accessory belt as well. It's also possibly over some thermal limit, try letting things cool down?

In the mean time, turn off all 12V accessories possible. Unplug the Jackery. A/C, radio, display, lights, etc. You're on starter battery alone which will have limited run time.

If you get in a huge bind and everything goes dead, do you have anything to help charge the starter battery with the Jackery?

 

[BigMF]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Made it into Alamosa to a shop that has great reviews on Google. He said it’s definitely not charging. The voltage dropped from 11.7 to 11.3 in the 30 min drive to the shop, even with everything possible turned off and unplugged.

we have been doing a good bit of diet and gravel road running over the last 1.5 weeks of this road trip but no real water crossings. The external temp is not too bad and not really doing any sustained climbing today before the light came on.

The guy at the shop May get the alternator in tomorrow and if so he’ll go into the shop to work on it. He’s normally closed on Saturdays. $324 for the part and $238 for labor seemed VERY reasonable to me, especially given the circumstances.

 

[TeCKis300]

Relieved to hear you've got a workable plan.

IIRC you have a Deka batt? Glad to hear it got you to your destination safe!

 

[BigMF]

Relieved to hear you've got a workable plan.

IIRC you have a Deka batt? Glad to hear it got you to your destination safe!

Yep, I have the big group 31 battery. Not sure if the OEM one would have held a charge long enough to get me to town. Could have been worse for sure. We’ve been in some very remote places of Colorado, Utah, and northern Arizona over the last 10 days.

 

[RET2]

But you get a shower and a real bed so it's not too bad.

 

[BigMF]

But you get a shower and a real bed so it's not too bad.

True but the hotel rooms in this town may cost more than the repair if I have to stay through the weekend.

 

[RET2]

True but the hotel rooms in this town may cost more than the repair if I have to stay through the weekend.

Ahhh the old Lexus catch 22, see if you would have had a LC parts and labor would be half price and Motel 6 is right around the corner. Glad you made to civilization safely.

 

[BigMF]

So, woke up early this morning and looked out the window of the hotel to find this guy parked next to me. I can’t tell you I didn’t think about sneaking under and grabbing what I needed.

 

[BigMF]

All, just a quick update. The alternator arrived the next day and the mechanic installed it for me. We made it home safely yesterday and I cannot say how blessed I was to find a shop with an honest mechanic that was willing to come in on what would normally be a day off to help my son and I get home.

BTW, the alternator was a CarQuest reman. Is there anything I need to worry about with it not being a new OEM alternator?

 

[04UZJ100]

All, just a quick update. The alternator arrived the next day and the mechanic installed it for me. We made it home safely yesterday and I cannot say how blessed I was to find a shop with an honest mechanic that was willing to come in on what would normally be a day off to help my son and I get home.

BTW, the alternator was a CarQuest reman. Is there anything I need to worry about with it not being a new OEM alternator?

Glad to hear it.

Yes, plan on a short life and unexpected death. Suggest either replacing with OEM or having an OEM one on the shelf ready.

 

[Sandroad]

All, just a quick update. The alternator arrived the next day and the mechanic installed it for me. We made it home safely yesterday and I cannot say how blessed I was to find a shop with an honest mechanic that was willing to come in on what would normally be a day off to help my son and I get home.

BTW, the alternator was a CarQuest reman. Is there anything I need to worry about with it not being a new OEM alternator?

Thanks for the follow up. My local Toyota dealer uses CarQuest parts all the time.

 

[RET2]

Thanks for the follow up. My local Toyota dealer uses CarQuest parts all the time.

That would be a deal breaker for me, but that's just my opinion. Wiper blades maybe but critical duty parts no way.

 

[04UZJ100]

Thanks for the follow up. My local Toyota dealer uses CarQuest parts all the time.

How is that allowed? are customers paying for Toyota parts and getting remanned junk?

 

[Sandroad]

That would be a deal breaker for me, but that's just my opinion. Wiper blades maybe but critical duty parts no way.

It was of course for me too. I haven’t given them business for a long time.

 

[Lester did that]

How is that allowed? are customers paying for Toyota parts and getting remanned junk?

Standard procedure with alternators and starters. They will sell you a rebuilt one because it's so much cheaper than a brand new OE. Even a decent indy shop will do the same. A brand new alternator is 750$ or a rebuilt one with a 3 year warranty parts and labors going to cost you 350$. You still get a toyota part it's just rebuilt.

Of course the new on has a better warranty and you can expect it's new so at least 10 years out of it. But the sticker shock is why they just sell you a refurbished part. They are not all that bad for a daily driver that has 10 year lifespan max. If they where completely unreliable it wouldn't be a standard option.

 

[04UZJ100]

Standard procedure with alternators and starters. They will sell you a rebuilt one because it's so much cheaper than a brand new OE. Even a decent indy shop will do the same. A brand new alternator is 750$ or a rebuilt one with a 3 year warranty parts and labors going to cost you 350$. You still get a toyota part it's just rebuilt.

Of course the new on has a better warranty and you can expect it's new so at least 10 years out of it. But the sticker shock is why they just sell you a refurbished part. They are not all that bad for a daily driver that has 10 year lifespan max. If they where completely unreliable it wouldn't be a standard option.

Disagree in “standard” practice. I replaced my alternator and the dealer gave me a Toyota/Denso remanufactured part.

 

[BigMF]

Am I misreading this? A new, OEM alternator can be purchased for $312 from a dealer: