22re alternator problems

[nykoda]

First is first. I'm new to the t4r scene, traded my 87 Wagovan for one last September and been loving it ever since.

I've got a 1990 22re RWD 4 runner. 173,xxx all stock besides some fat 33's and some 15x10 wheels thrown on (no spacers might I add:faint.

Here is my old Wagovan:


And here is the new t4r:

Anyways. About a week ago my battery light and brake light came on simultaneously, the warning lights for your alternator going out, so I got a new one from cost less auto. Dropped the old one, threw in the new. After a few hours and some very specific words I got the new one placed and a new battery set in. All was well... Until yesteday. The lights came on again, but they only come on sometimes. They'll randomly turn off. I'm stumped, I don't believe that brand new alternator could be defective especially since it worked for a week flawlessly and since the lights come on and go off. Guess I'll check the ground connection, and all the wires to make sure everything's clean and working. Maybe a belts loose?

So then, any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MacGyver1979]

most autoparts stores can test your alternator and battery for free.

 

[KidVermicious]

"Rebuilt" alternators and starters from the parts houses are notorious for having intermittent problems - they start to wear out, guys turn them in as cores, the rebuild facility doesn't see anything wrong in a ten second bench test so they clean them and send them right back out. Checking the belt tension and all the grounds and harness connections should have been the first thing you did. Once all that stuff checks out and you know the alternator is bad, don't turn it in for parts store crap - rebuild it yourself, or take it to a reputable alternator shop to get it worked over with OEM parts.

Welcome to the board!

 

[UteRunner]

^What Kevin said. I just got mine rebuilt by a shop and it's working like a champ.

 

[nykoda]

The lights coming on and going off doesn't strike you guys as odd? Some days it'll be completely fine, no lights, my battery voltage meter at normal level. Other times the lights are on and the voltage meter barely half way.

 

[KidVermicious]

The lights coming on and going off doesn't strike you guys as odd? Some days it'll be completely fine, no lights, my battery voltage meter at normal level. Other times the lights are on and the voltage meter barely half way.

That's kinda what makes me lean towards a bad connection somewhere.

 

[RAD4Runner]

...Anyways. About a week ago my battery light and brake light came on simultaneously, the warning lights for your alternator going out...

Not a warning light for your alternator going out, but a warning light that something- not necessarily your alternator - is wrong with the charging system.

so I got a new one from cost less auto...

Do not assume something is defective and blindly replace it. Verify that it is really the problem before spending your time and money replacing it.

Check voltages at IG, S, L and B terminals of your alternator according to "22RE Charging System Explained"

...Guess I'll check the ground connection, and all the wires to make sure everything's clean and working...

Definitely a good idea.
Also, if you have manual transmission, check backup-up switch , connector and wiring for shorting to tranny, etc. , like here

 

[nykoda]

Well, the alternator finally died. Took it back to Cost Less it tested bad so they gave me a new one. Threw it in, actually fit better than the first one, and its working so far. I guess we'll see if it ends up shorting out too.

More on my runner:
When I first got it, it was bareback, and had stock steelies with some puny wheels on it. It was time for a change.

Went and got a stock t4r rack from the yard. Drilled through the roof and used some hand rivets to mount/seal it, no leaks or anything! Strong as if it were factory, I was more than happy with the results.

Here is the rivets:

Next I threw on some 15x10 Alluminum wheels, with some 33's to beef it up.

Now its drivable! :lmao:

Many more things to come. Stay tuned.