4runner Charge light

[thatoneguy]

Hey guys

So, my 4runner started slowly showing it's charge light more and more often. At first, it would go away if the revs went about 1000. Then that number started getting higher and higher.

So, my friend had some alternators lying around, we tested them at O'Reilly, and they both passed. I swapped the one in the 4runner for one that had passed. For a couple days, problem solved. I took it camping, couple hundred miles total, and now sometimes the charge light remains on after startup. Sometimes if i turn it off and immediately start it again, the light won't stay on.

Does this sound like the alternator's fault, or the wiring? The battery? Should i ignore it? Any help appreciated.

 

[SV_Dude]

Have your battery checked at your local parts store just to rule it out. But I would lean towards a bad ground either on the battery, engine block or alternator harness.

What year/motor?

Just noticed your sig. You should have a ground going from your battery to the fender near the battery, a ground going from the battery to the engine block near the a/c compressor, a ground going from the firewall to the head and the engine wiring harness should have a ground going to your intake manifold. I'm not sure off the top of my head where the ground is for the alternator harness but it shouldn't be too hard to visually trace. Check your grounds and make sure that they're in good shape and not corroded and firmly attached to each component and the body.

 

[thatoneguy]

Yeah that was my next step. Also noticed that both my terminals loosened themselves... again. I'll tighten the hell out of those again and super check all those grounds.

 

[KidVermicious]

Yeah that was my next step. Also noticed that both my terminals loosened themselves... again. I'll tighten the hell out of those again and super check all those grounds.

Red loctite is your friend.

When are you coming wheeling with us?

 

[thatoneguy]

Red loctite is your friend.

When are you coming wheeling with us?

As soon as I trust my truck to not take out my Optima

Was actually thinking of 5mile this thursday

 

[thatoneguy]

Update: rechecked everything, found my alternator ground/cable to be quite loose. Hasn't shot the light since tightening. Possibly cured.