Help - warning lights (1 Viewer)

[jmylie]

I added some freon to my a/c and during starting the car, several warning lights came on.

Brake light, no issues with brakes and fluid is full. Alternator light, gauge shows it is working fine. T-belt light, assume it is OK. Filter light, again assume it is OK. Turbo and over charge light are also on steady.

Runs and drives normal.

I disconnected the battery but same issue when I reconnected it.

Any ideas as to what happened and what to check?

Thanks

 

[AirheadNut]

I would do an output test on the alternator. The gauge is reading a lot lower than mine normally does and the christmas tree lights usually indicate a bad alternator/voltage regulator.

 

[jmylie]

12.4 v at the battery.
Alternator to negative battery terminal - 12.1 v
With lights, fan and a/c - 11.7

Guess the alternator is not putting out enough voltage.

Now to find a replacement.

 

[AirheadNut]

I think this might be a direct replacement?

Diesel Hilux/4Runner Alternator

Rebuilt Denso Alternator without vacuum pump. Picture shows vacuum pump, but is NOT included, you will have to reuse yours. Direct replacement for 2L, 2L-T, 3L and 5L Toyota diesel engines, 12v 55 amps

back40imports.com

 

[jmylie]

So, I ordered a new alternator. Today I started my LJ up and the warning lights went off after starting.

Measured voltage from the alternator to the neg terminal of the battery, 14.5 volts.

I should received the new alternator next week. Guess I'll put it on the shelf and see what happens over the next few week.

Very weird.

 

[jmylie]

So went to take the LJ for a ride and the warning lights are back.

What is going on?

 

[Omrib]

So, I ordered a new alternator. Today I started my LJ up and the warning lights went off after starting.

Measured voltage from the alternator to the neg terminal of the battery, 14.5 volts.

I should received the new alternator next week. Guess I'll put it on the shelf and see what happens over the next few week.

Very weird.

Usually there are no two problems unrelated when suddenly appear after one human interference/intervention, but sometime the relation between the problems is evasive....

Not sure where are the gas valves on your engine, but if they are close enough to the alternator harness and the connector or harness are crasty enough, you might have temporarily lost the "energizing voltage" due to a faulty connector or wire which was unintentionally touched and moved while connecting gas hoses to the valves for the ac.
I might be wrong about the specific role of the energizing wire, before/after start, but you get what I mean about the crasty old electrical connections and harnesses and the relationship between problems...
Good luck
Omri

 

[Rigster]

So went to take the LJ for a ride and the warning lights are back.

What is going on?

As @Omrib stated, check all your connections and clean them up, a little dielectric grease can help too. I would pay particular attention to all the grounds. I have fixed many elusive electrical gremlins just by restoring the ground points.

If these are all good, then I would suspect the alternator and/or voltage regulator is on its way out.

 

[jmylie]

Cleaned contacts, still showing warning lights.

New alternator due next week.

 

[jmylie]

Finally replace the alternator and problem solved.

It was the most frustrating job I have done in a long time.

The alternator is squeezed between the a/c compressor and the air pump. Removing the compressor is a real pain. The nuts and bolts holding it to the mounting bracket are almost inaccessible. Part of the problem is being able to see the parts. A lot is done by feel. Getting it all back together is also a challenge. I made the mistake of installing the top bolts for the compressor first. Nope, install the bottom bolts first.

Anyway, new alternator is installed, warning lights are gone and everything is back together.

 

[LDowney]

Joe,
Congratulations on resolving this issue. Is there a reliable alternator shop near you that can rebuild your original alternator so you have a spare?

 

[jmylie]

Is there a reliable alternator shop near you that can rebuild your original alternator so you have a spare?

Not sure but I will ask around.