Lose wire or alternator on the way out?
 

So I've been contemplating this event that transpired on my way to the shop to get a custom exhaust welded up.

I had just charged and put in the cars battery since I had removed it. I started the car and started driving. While underway I noticed that the battery gauge was indicating that it was draining and not charging, so I think "Crap, my alternator is on the way out." But when I go around a corner a little faster than a normal person goes in a toyota, the charging system kicks into life and begins charging the battery from it's near death location of 8v. It's charging all the way up to an awesome 14volts but drops down a little bit when the fan kicks on.

It stays charging until I begin to pull into the shop and I notice again that my battery charge level is falling. I pull in with a little under 12v on the battery after a trip of around 40 miles.

Is the general consensus that I have an alternator about to crap out on me, or that I have a loose connection somewhere that I need to remedy?

I would guess connection because generally speaking, when an alternator fails or a regulator fails it shits the bed entirely and doesn't come back to life suddenly under some random condition.

I think the problem is that you own a Toyota...

I agree with classic though.

I think you misunderstand. I own a Toyota for DD'ing, but I posted this in the 2nd Gen thread because the issue is on the FC :lol:

You're confusing. I still assert the problem is that you own a Toyota... :001_005:

You've never heard of a metaphor?:o11:

Nope, never. At least not one so randomly placed. :)

your voltage regulator? Or the wire that goes from the battery to the alternator (post b?? i can't remember) is loose or old:
http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...6&d=1208846963
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1.../toys028-1.jpg

My wire was toasted and no longer working properly...I went through 4 voltage regulators before I bypassed it altogether. I ran a new wire from the B post to the battery and never had another problem.

can you see the new wire I ran to the batt?http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...riptoSF079.jpg

Touche
Yeah, I see it. Okay. I'll double check that when I pick up the car today.

try it out...I replaced that cracked B post and replaced the voltage regulator before installing the new wire...you might need to check your VR to make sure it's still good.

Well I checked the B-post, and the wires going to and from it, and they're all still rock solid. I'm fairly confident that the issue is with a loose wire or connection somewhere, but I just didn't have the time to track it down on Friday. I ended up leaving it at the shop where I was getting the exhaust worked on and told them to track it down for me. We'll see what happens. If it comes down to replacing the alternator, I'll just have them rebuild and install the FD one I have hanging around.

Update: Turns out the alternator was bad. Mechanic actually was able to get the alternator on warranty from the place of purchase so out of pocket expense is nill.

I still need to order the parts for the FD alternator and rebuild it. Should prove fun.

As a side note, what is the possibility of having two alternators going bad in two different cars within the same week (ie not even 24 hours apart). Turns out the alternator on the Toyota went out as well. Talk about super bad timing.

I've had 2 die on my 7 in the same week.

So I went outside today to check and top off fluids and I spotted something a little off in the engine bay:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...r/IMG00161.jpg

I shot the mechanic a PM about what he wants to do about it as it's charging fine, but it seems to be fairly sever. We'll see how it all comes out.

Did someone drop it?

I think the whole issue is the loose nut behind the steering wheel.


j/k...just messin with you T.

Not to my knowledge. It was on there with nothing wrong with the casing, drove it around for a day and popped it to check the fluid and saw a gapping crack on the housing.

Glad you tracked down your problems. I'll add my experience for anyone searching threads for problems of their own.

Before I started my rebuild I had problems with my charging system..it was driving me damn near crazy trying to track it down. I had added a reman'd FD alt and was having sporadic electrical problems. I had a new battery but the OEM volt meter was showing inconsistent charging. Most often barely above 12v all the time, but occasionally higher.

Recently had it checked by an alternator shop, turns out the post on the alt had come loose. I had swapped the FC post onto the FD alt. I guess what had happened was my TMIC rests on the alt and the vibration loosened the post.