RTH: Testing the altenator

[OGBeno]

Looking at about $400 for a new harness that includes the ALT connector wires.

That said, I might have one at home--I have about 2 80 series harnesses, but they are for the later vehicles (95-97).

If that is the only section you need, I can look into cutting it and shipping it up to you in Durango.

Let me know.

 

[GeoRoss]

Looking at about $400 for a new harness that includes the ALT connector wires.

That said, I might have one at home--I have about 2 80 series harnesses, but they are for the later vehicles (95-97).

If that is the only section you need, I can look into cutting it and shipping it up to you in Durango.

Let me know.

That is not only a super cool and generous offer but really really nice. We have decided to start for home after we are mobile again. ABQ is sort of on the way and then head back over US60 by the VLA and then some camping in the White Mountains of AZ. Besides I read in the paper that the green chile crop is startin to come in. We are running dangerously low on NM green chiles.

How hard is it to install the whole wire harness? The front charging circuit swap wouldn't be to bad. I have considered sourcing some weather proof connectors and just altering my fusible links.

 

[OGBeno]

How hard is it to install the whole wire harness? The front charging circuit swap wouldn't be to bad. I have considered sourcing some weather proof connectors and just altering my fusible links.

Ross--the whole harness would be tough without the upper end of the long block assy taken apart--at least the intake plenum.

Splicing in the front charging circuit would not be taht difficult, but would take some time to do carefully and correctly.

You know how to get in touch with me.

 

[GeoRoss]

Well, reman OEM alternator #2 seems to be working. One hour of idling and a 15 min highway and then in-town driving and no burning smell. We're cooking with gas now! beno told me that in his two years at American Toyota there have only been a couple sent back in the many they have sold. I guess/hope that it is now a couple + 1.


My only guess is either the AC tech or the guys who cleaned my engine prior to my replacing the valve cover gasket messed up the AM2 link and in an effort to CYA just spliced a wire in, cutting out the fusible link and importantly the AM2 gray connector. The tech here in Durango was flummoxed by this and all he did was solder and shrink rap this butchery.

I have a spare fusible link, so we put that in and then soldered the AM2 link into place. Hopefully we can finally get to go camping in AZ on the way home. The two year old has been shooting daggers at the lack of camping on this trip

I'll need to pick over a wiring harness to help correct this nightmare and beno has a donor. I'll feel better after a couple hundred miles though.

 

[GeoRoss]

A huge thanks goes out to Ali and Onur! We were able th repair the butchery to my wiring harness. I don't think I am actually able to describe the utter shenanigans that took place. An Autozone fusible link was added to sort of replace the removed AM2 link. This fusible link was then by passed with a branching wire from the battery terminal. There was some minor damage to one of the connectors in the plug going to the alternator. Heat damage and chaffed insulation, which was replaced.

Onur took a couple of pictures and hopefully he will post them. Thanks again guys, you both rock!

We are headed home and will finally try and get some camping in on the way back.

 

[OGBeno]

"Interesting" wiring job by the Toyota folks....

Glad everything worked out Ross and it was good to hang with you again.

Here are the pics....

 

[medtro]

What is that short wire that goes from the black box to the red wire for?

 

[GeoRoss]

What is that short wire that goes from the black box to the red wire for?

That was the mystery Autozone fusible link that some monkey added. Notice how that big red wire essentially by passes it anyway.

 

[medtro]

That was the mystery Autozone fusible link that some monkey added. Notice how that big red wire essentially by passes it anyway.

It is the back up for the blue fusible link

 

[GeoRoss]

We made home just fine. A big thumbs up out to Onur and Ali for helping me sort out the wiring. We ended up camping near Alpine AZ on the way back. In our nearly two weeks away there was not a bit of rain till we deployed the tents. Then nothing but rain.

we still had a blast doing day hikes in the rain.