[Eugene13]

Sup guys. Alternator bit the dust, most likely because of an oil leak. I suspected that as my "CHARGE" light has been flickering as I'd get above a certain rpm for about a week now, but then it went away for a few days. The light then reappeared again yesterday, but now it was staying on constantly. Took it to the autoparts store and their battery/alt tester is broken Went to a different autoparts store and their battery/alt tester is also broken So me figuring it was the alternator took it out of the truck and took it to the store to have them bench test it, came up bad, but I ended up getting a free one as a warranty from the manufacturer . Replaced it today, along with some wires that were in rough shape, cleaned all the connections and fired it up. Light still on. Put a volt meter on the battery and it is charging. (idled for about 15 min and went from 12.4 to 13.7 volts). Not sure what to do. I have yet to drive it around and won't be able to till tomorrow. Any ideas on why the light is on? P.S., I fixed the oil leak, stupid distributor o ring.

[Eugene13]

ok so now I am at a loss. I've checked every ground and they all have good connection. I'm getting power from the alternator and it's making it through every plug, every wire, and getting to the battery. Voltage regulator checks out okay. I have checked the CHARGE fuse and it's fine. I checked the charge lamp relay and that's fine. I really am just completely at a loss of what to do at this point. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Eugene13]

I fixed it. it was the voltage regulator. I'm glad that it was that cause that was my absolute last resort before taking it to somebody.

[pinemind]

Originally Posted by Eugene13

I fixed it. it was the voltage regulator. I'm glad that it was that cause that was my absolute last resort before taking it to somebody.

Just for the rest of us and future reference, where exactly is the voltage regulator on 1st gen 4runners? In all my perusing of the FSM/parts diagrams, I have yet to come across it.

[RAD4Runner]

Originally Posted by pinemind

Just for the rest of us and future reference, where exactly is the voltage regulator on 1st gen 4runners? In all my perusing of the FSM/parts diagrams, I have yet to come across it.

Built inside the alternator.

[Eugene13]

Built inside the alternator.

Not on my 84, at least, its a small rectangular box with wires coming out of it on the drivers side of the engine bay, behind the power steering fluid reservoir.