Hoping someone can give me some clues as to what my problem is. Recently my battery was low, needed recharging before car would start: I also cleaned the terminals. I noticed while driving that it almost died when I'd stop at a traffic light, also noticed my voltage gauge was showing just over 12V. INCREASING rpm's kept the engine from dying but the voltage didn't increas as it normally would. Next day battery was dead, showing only 7V so I replaced it (I also put the old battery on the charger and it wouldn't hold a charge). Since then the charging voltage sometimes drops back to just over 12V then up to normal, which is 13-14V. As I have a long trip ahead of me, I would really like to fix the problem before then, as these type of problems have the knack of striking hard when it is least convenient, so any advice would be gratefully appreciated.
Hoping someone can give me some clues as to what my problem is. Recently my battery was low, needed recharging before car would start: I also cleaned the terminals. I noticed while driving that it almost died when I'd stop at a traffic light, also noticed my voltage gauge was showing just over 12V. INCREASING rpm's kept the engine from dying but the voltage didn't increas as it normally would. Next day battery was dead, showing only 7V so I replaced it (I also put the old battery on the charger and it wouldn't hold a charge). Since then the charging voltage sometimes drops back to just over 12V then up to normal, which is 13-14V. As I have a long trip ahead of me, I would really like to fix the problem before then, as these type of problems have the knack of striking hard when it is least convenient, so any advice would be gratefully appreciated.
Get your Alternator checked first. then go back from that.
Maybe need a rewind.
If so undate output at same time.
There are still people that rewind. and you normally get a better unit after it.
plus they can Update output to suit.
We had them on yachts all the time.
Sounds like a classic case of the alternator is not charging properly and is dying. Usual cause is the brushes are worn out. But the regulator may have failed too.
General advice of course as the vehicle is unknown and its history is too ! The answer is to go to an auto electrician. Probably already cost you a new battery by stuffing around so do not stuff the new one too.
If you knew what to do you could pull the regulator out with its brushes and look at it and replace the brushes for a couple of dollars. Or buy a new regulator and fit it yourself for a few 10s of dollars. But if not then even a new alternator will only cost a couple of hundred dollars on ebay. But only if you know what you are doing and can determine the actual problem. The problem will just get worse out on the road.
Jaahn
PS if you can find a person who will rewind an alternator today I would be very surprised.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Thursday 3rd of November 2016 01:19:49 PM
Be careful buying them from Ebay.
Rotational speed V Output. are normally geared to suit with pulleys and the belts.
Make sure it's for your model. or rev's in the range required to give proper output
at YOUR engines cruising rev's.
Normally a rewind if one near you is better way to go
as he can boost output of such at same rev's.
Thanks for the replies. I'll do a check of the obvious - belt tension, loose wires etc. but if I don't sole it, it sounds like a job for someone with more tools & experience than me so I'll take it to an auto electrician.
Happy travels,
Anton
OK, checked with an auto electrician and he said they've replaced a lot of Toyota alternators, so he has another to replace. Hopefully the replacement is more reliable!
The problem will just get worse out on the road.
