Intermittent trans oil / brake / battery light

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JonChimpo

JonChimpo

Joined
Jun 11, 2023
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Location
sacramento, CA
Afternoon,

1990 fJ80 3FE

I’m getting my trans oil temp, E brake, and battery light intermittently coming on. The lights are coming on at a cold start so I know the trans temp can’t be high, and e brake not engaged. They continue to flicker, and then stay on, then off. Then flicker again.

It started after I let my wife drive the LC yesterday. She swears she did nothing other than put the key in, start it, and drive. I’m inclined to believe her…. But it did happen on her watch..

Has this happened to anyone else?
I tried searching, I couldn’t find anything relevant. Maybe I didn’t use the right key words?

Any idea where to start looking? I’m thinking loose wire somewhere, but where..

Thank you,

Happy Independence Day!

IMG_7040.jpeg
 
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This is an indication of poor charging whether it be a failing alternator or poor power and ground connections. Has it ever cranked slower than normal or intermittently failed to crank?
 
happened to me a couple of years back and it was the alternator brushes. Same lights were lit up
I have a digital volt meter for my dual batteries and when it happened the voltage was down considerably. I tapped the alt lightly with a hammer to 'free' them up again and made it home and when i removed the brushes to put new ones in they were definitely well worn.
 
It has been cranking a little slower than normal. Thank you guys. It’s seeming impossible to find a quality replacement alternator. I can buy a cheap one from autozone for like $200, but I’m not thrilled with that route. I’ll look into brushes. That would be sweet.

Thank you guys!
 
Brushes from Toyota are only a few $ and easy to replace

the slower cranking is probably cause the battery is not being charged correctly as a result of the brushes

 
Well I’m waiting on either an alternator, or brushes. The LC is my only vehicle right now. I noticed my battery voltage spiking to 18v. Is there any risk of if I keep driving until I get my parts squared away, other than potentially leaving me stranded with a dead alternator?
 
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personally if it were mine and seeing 18v would not be using until fixed.

is the 18v via a trusted multimeter at back of ALT or the dash gauge as the dash gauges are a bit like the coolant temp one?

you should probably find a local auto elec, remove the ALT and they would be able to spin it up, test voltage & diagnose and then repair what may be required - a better option in my view to the autozone one
 
You can get a Toyota rebuilt for like 240$ from any dealer. The denso was on national back order a couple months ago not sure if that is still the case.
 
OP apparently is working on a 1990 production date (1991 model) FJ80 with the 3FE engine so looks like 27060-61100-84 is still available from Toyota (USA)
so no reason to buy aftermarket (or rebuild your own, just keep the old alternator for the future). IMHO.
 
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Kernal said:
OP apparently is working on a 1990 production date (1991 model) FJ80 with the 3FE engine so looks like 27060-61100-84 is still available from Toyota (USA)
so no reason to buy aftermarket (or rebuild your own, just keep the old alternator for the future). IMHO.
Click to expand...
Hey man thanks for the part number. I called my local Toyota dealer today. They said the alternator was NLA. I’ll try them again tomorrow with this number.

Thanks again!

Edit:
Just looked up this part, looks like it has the internal blades, mine is external. Are they compatible? Will that one work in my current set up without having to modify, or get belts or brackets?
 
You have an 80 amp alternator with an external fan behind the pulley.
Those units are not easily serviceable like the newer units unless you have significant soldering experience.

I would either retrofit a rebuilt 90 amp unit using the bracketry/connector from a 92 FJ80 or contact VintageTeqParts.com Home Page – VintageTEqParts.com - https://vintageteqparts.com/

You might be able to find a local shop to rebuild your unit, but you will be without the vehicle, and I doubt internal parts are readily available.
 
For future reference/searches, here's a couple links for the 80 amp alternator if you don't retrofit the 90 amp unit:

One potential advantage for the Autozone Duralast is the lifetime warranty:

www.autozone.com

Duralast Alternator 14836

Shop for Duralast Alternator 14836 with confidence at AutoZone.com. Parts are just part of what we do. Get yours online today and pick up in store.
www.autozone.com www.autozone.com

Carparts:


Rockauto links:


 
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jonheld said:
You have an 80 amp alternator with an external fan behind the pulley.
Those units are not easily serviceable like the newer units unless you have significant soldering experience.

I would either retrofit a rebuilt 90 amp unit using the bracketry/connector from a 92 FJ80 or contact VintageTeqParts.com Home Page – VintageTEqParts.com - https://vintageteqparts.com/

You might be able to find a local shop to rebuild your unit, but you will be without the vehicle, and I doubt internal parts are readily available.
Click to expand...
I’ve actually reached out and been in contact with them. They are going to help me square it away.

I also talked to my local 4x4 shop. He recommends the Napa alternator. Lifetime warranty, and good quality vs other parts stores.
 
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