User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 07-08-2019, 05:02 PM #1
tkc74 tkc74 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 32
tkc74 is on a distinguished road
tkc74 tkc74 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 32
tkc74 is on a distinguished road
'96 Electrical (Likely Alternator) Issue

Team,

Been having issues starting the ‘96 V6 3.4L 4Runner. Started couple weeks back while I was driving on the highway when the battery light flickered, a belt started squealing and the front windshield wipers would randomly turn on then back off all around the same time. After this, and every time since then, when I would try to start the car it wouldn’t turn over. Sometimes to get it going it would require moving the terminals around or disconnect and reconnect the battery, but lately I figured that I can keep trying to turn the ignition over and over. Takes anywhere from 3-10 tries but it gets going with no under the hood action required.

I figured because of the battery light it was lose/corroded connections or a bad battery. I bought new connection, cleaned the terminals and also took it into Canadian Tire and had it tested. Battery passed (2.5yrs old) and was charged to 90%. I then re-tried but same issue.

I then figured it was the alternator, I took out the multi meter and tested. 12.7V engine off but was 14.2V with engine on. After turning on everything I could (hi-beams, blower, heater, wipers, interior lights) it dropped down to 12.8V, this is low…..

Must be the alternator, right? Could it be anything else (belts)? I don't see how the alternator faulting could cause all these other symptoms but not electrician. Had the vehicle for 120k km and have never replaced the alternator.

Another aside, my front lights (lows only) no longer work, tested the fuses and they are blown, highs work just fine.

TL;DR:I believe it’s the alternator but have also been wrong in the past, could it be anything else…..looking for confirmation or anyone else .02!
tkc74 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 07-08-2019, 06:13 PM #2
Hopeless Diamond's Avatar
Hopeless Diamond Hopeless Diamond is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Chumstick WA
Posts: 376
Hopeless Diamond has a spectacular aura about Hopeless Diamond has a spectacular aura about Hopeless Diamond has a spectacular aura about
Hopeless Diamond Hopeless Diamond is offline
Member
Hopeless Diamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Chumstick WA
Posts: 376
Hopeless Diamond has a spectacular aura about Hopeless Diamond has a spectacular aura about Hopeless Diamond has a spectacular aura about
Check the connections to/from the alternator and battery inside the fuse box and the primary fuse itself. Could be loose or corroded terminals.
Hopeless Diamond is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 07-08-2019, 10:02 PM #3
NissanTechJake NissanTechJake is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 81
Real Name: Jake
NissanTechJake is on a distinguished road
NissanTechJake NissanTechJake is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 81
Real Name: Jake
NissanTechJake is on a distinguished road
The battery light indicates a low charge rate, your load test confirmed just that. Anything under 14v under load is low, it’s time for an alternator replacement unfortunately.
NissanTechJake is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 07-09-2019, 12:59 AM #4
ambush ambush is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Charlotte/Wilmington NC/Cola SC
Posts: 363
ambush will become famous soon enough
ambush ambush is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Charlotte/Wilmington NC/Cola SC
Posts: 363
ambush will become famous soon enough
Time for Big 3

I am not sure how much of an overachiever you want to be but I would recommend the big 3 upgrade by Sky High Car audio - 2 or 4 gauge wires for alternator, battery, ground, etc. This REALLY help me during my build I am getting an average 13.0 V while my truck is running (I added an LED voltmeter in my cigarette lighter location). As far as replacement, find an OEM alternator (DENSO) and not a reman. I promise you will not regret it. I hate getting aftermarket parts such as those unless I do a high powered one or something. The longevity is horrible as I used to see while working at Autozone for years watching them come back. You can almost go to a junk yard to save some aggravation and coin! Just my 3 cents .


Skyhigh Audio big 3
__________________
Current: 1999 4runner Limited 2wd (Desert Trooper) 170k miles! - WIP!
- s13we brake upgrade
New: 2001 4runner SR5 2wd (Silver Surfer) 213k miles! - WIP (looking for engine)
New: 1999 4runner Limited 2wd (KiTT) 577k miles!!!!!!!! - WIP!
Sold: 2000 4runner Limited 2wd 220k miles (idiot! i know)
ambush is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 07-11-2019, 04:36 AM #5
hdoggie24 hdoggie24 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Huntington Beach CA
Posts: 327
hdoggie24 is on a distinguished road
hdoggie24 hdoggie24 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Huntington Beach CA
Posts: 327
hdoggie24 is on a distinguished road
So recently my factory alternator burned out(saw smoke come from it). I have 240k miles so not bad I guess. But it happened about a month after I installed 2 amplifiers . I'm guessing the stock one can't keep up and fried out. I'm not running a ton of power. 1 amplifier is about 600w and the other about 200w. I'm going to also do the big 3 upgrade as well now since its a good idea. I'm concerned about putting another stock oem alternator in, don't want to burn up another one. I keep reading about adding the 140A CS-144 amplifier in from a Cadillac. But i'd need to likely get one at Autozone. Is this a bad idea? I don't want to spend over 300 bucks on a new alternator either. Any ideas?
hdoggie24 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 07-11-2019, 09:03 PM #6
MaineRunna's Avatar
MaineRunna MaineRunna is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Berwick, Maine USA
Posts: 374
Real Name: Mike
MaineRunna will become famous soon enough MaineRunna will become famous soon enough
MaineRunna MaineRunna is offline
Member
MaineRunna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Berwick, Maine USA
Posts: 374
Real Name: Mike
MaineRunna will become famous soon enough MaineRunna will become famous soon enough
If your belt was squealing, then yes, definitely check the belt! Slipping belts on Toyotas will cause intermittent loss of power steering and low charge under load, sometimes without squealing. Very possible you need an alternator though.
__________________

98 SR5 4X4 5spd, desert dune metallic, Toytech Eibach 3" lift, 1" body lift, RAD Rubber Designs splash guards, 4XInnovations bumpers, Doug Thorely Headers, Magna-flow converter, JBA muffler & tail pipe, RCI skid plate, SPC UCA's & rear LCA's, front sway bar links on rear, gen II rear links on front, Tundra brakes, '02 headlights, tail lights & sidemarkers, BFG 255/85R16 Mud Terrain T/A's 241,000 miles.
MaineRunna is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 07-17-2019, 12:25 PM #7
tkc74 tkc74 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 32
tkc74 is on a distinguished road
tkc74 tkc74 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 32
tkc74 is on a distinguished road
Maybe Starter?

Bit of added info. When trying to start the car by turning the ignition over and over I would hear a low whining noise coming from the engine bay while the key was fully turned over (would hold key fully turned over for a few seconds...sometimes it would start while holding longer), this would go away when the key was released. This would happen each time I turn the ignition off and back on in an attempt to start the vehicle until it eventually works. What is the likelihood that is could be the starter instead? (There were no rapid fire clicking sounds).

Last edited by tkc74; 07-17-2019 at 12:27 PM.
tkc74 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Tags
alternator , battery , figured , tested , turn

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Alternator issue or something else? White87sr5 Classic T4Rs 14 02-23-2016 11:55 AM
Electrical Gurus Please Help. Overloaded/Squealing Alternator redrunn Classic T4Rs 6 07-07-2015 02:26 PM
Alternator Electrical Connector calrider 3rd gen T4Rs 3 03-27-2015 09:52 PM
Odd electrical or Alternator issues? Rommel 4th Gen T4Rs 3 06-08-2014 11:48 PM
Replacing alternator - weird electrical connector? ChopperDude 3rd gen T4Rs 1 04-11-2012 04:46 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:53 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger
 
Copyright © 2020