2001 ELECTRICAL POWER SURGE While Driving - VIDEO

[4runner1983]

https://youtu.be/lnutvMI3dfQ

Please watch video from the 6 second mark and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Just driving along, AC on, and the power surges. Happens with AC off too. I just brought it to a shop to have Marion2Bumpwr or whoever’s “Big 3” kit installed thinking maybe there is a bad ground.

Any ideas?

New 200amp red eBay alternator installed about 4months ago.

Current eBay item #282945938581

New yellow top optima installed 6 months ago.

Thanks!

 

[128keaton]

https://youtu.be/lnutvMI3dfQ

Please watch video at the 6 second mark and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Just driving along, AC on, and the power surges. Happens with AC off too. I just brought it to a shop to have Marion2Bumpwr or whoever’s “Big 3” kit installed thinking maybe there is a bad ground.

Any ideas?

New 200amp red eBay alternator installed about 4mintha ago.

New yellow top optima installed 6 months ago.

Thanks!

Tell me more about this “eBay alternator”..

 

[4runner1983]

Great video

Thanks!

It does capture exactly what the issue is, so I thought it was helpful too.

 

[128keaton]

I'd seriously look at getting a junkyard alternator to test and rule out the eBay alternator. The voltage regulator could be having issues. Although the company and the listing looks legit, every company has a few bad apples, especially depending on where their parts are sourced from. 'Made in USA' stamped on the alternator could literally only mean that the alternator was assembled in the USA, while the parts could easily have come from overseas.

Just my $0.02

 

[TheDurk]

Which red light is that flash from?...the BATT light?

In any case, I would remove and clean both terminals and the fender and engine grounds. Examine battery cable closely for any bubbling of insulation, looseness of terminals, or other evidence of badness. Change if found. Change your ALT-S fuse just for fun. Verify you get close to battery voltage at the white wire at the 3-wire alt. plug. Inspect plug and wiring carefully and fix if required.

Much alt. weirdness can be eliminated doing these things. I would do them before any further troubleshooting because that is the way I do it. It's all good PM and half the time fixes the problem.

 

[4runner1983]

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Bumbo]

If this is something you can replicate like seen in the video, I would look up a digital multi-meter that has logging capability to see the actual output voltage during this event.

I would also check the connections... just make sure its all buttoned up tight if you feel it might be a ground or connection issue.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I see way too many "my aftermarket alternator doesn't work" threads on here yet people keep buying them. Some do work, but a lot of them cause issues or don't age well. I second the troubleshooting/swapping. Do you still have your old stock one?

 

[128keaton]

I see way too many "my aftermarket alternator doesn't work" threads on here yet people keep buying them. Some do work, but a lot of them cause issues or don't age well. I second the troubleshooting/swapping. Do you still have your old stock one?

agreed. Toyota electronics have proven to be pretty damn reliable, time and time again, so why go mess with something else?

 

[kolelt]

Anyone else have any ideas?

Just fallow [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] advice please !

 

[HiLife]

My oem toyota alternator died and I replaced it with a Denso from Amazon. I haven't troubleshooted what killed the oem alt yet (I think diodes).
My ultra gauge is set to alarm anything over 14.8v and it never went off with the oem set up.
I been having surging about 2 months into the Denso alt. I get random 2, to 3 alarms per 15 min of driving. Ranging from 14.9v to 15.2v. Nothing major to set off the alt light though. The surging must be really quick cause it doesn't register on a plug in volt meter I also run.
I'm gonna mount my spare oem alt back on to see if my minor surging goes away. Will be doing what Durk recommends if my charging system is still surging with my spare alt. Will follow this thread closely for more clues on why this is happening.