5th Gen 4runner - Alternator draining the battery

[kukablack]

My alternator seems to be acting strange. The current draw is somewhere between ALT-S fuse and black connector (with L IG S M signal that go to IC Regulator) which attaches to the alternator. When I remove either ALT-S Fuse or the black connector the draw goes away. Alternator diodes tested good. Alternator tested good using Toyota specified test in repair manual..

I am just perplexed what it can be. I can still drive the car without any issues with charging the battery but once I do not drive it for 3 to 4 days the battery is completely drained.

Also, I noticed whenever I plug the ALT-S fuse back in place I hear 2 or 3 relays click in the fuse box.

A little history...this issue started for me about a month ago. I was driving in heavy rain all day and came back and parked in my garage the lights started flickering and then stopped. On the same day while doing a stop on my way back I forgot that I kept my car running and accidentally tried to start it again as due to rain I could not hear the engine running.

Also another month before that I had a new windshield installed as original one cracked due to stone hitting the glass.

So now I am not sure what it is
1. Starter shot something
2. Alternator wiring connector (not the B post)
3. Windshield related (but I was driving it for 2 weeks without any issues but first time in rain when this started)


Thanks

KK

 

[thennen]

Not an expert by any means, but I would attempt to locate the clicking relays. Whatever they're for may be involved. Alternator may be providing a path to ground when the fuse is plugged in (maybe 2 problems?).

As an aside, my son's Corolla had a battery drain problem a couple weeks ago that I eventually traced to the aftermarket remote start the PO had installed. It had some internal problem that had begun keeping the starter engaged after the engine had started. It also caused a 150mA drain when the car was off, and while I was troubleshooting that, it pegged my meter twice and blew the meter's internal fuse (old analog meter with the needle). So maybe you have an aftermarket device that's failing?

 

[kukablack]

Not an expert by any means, but I would attempt to locate the clicking relays. Whatever they're for may be involved. Alternator may be providing a path to ground when the fuse is plugged in (maybe 2 problems?).

As an aside, my son's Corolla had a battery drain problem a couple weeks ago that I eventually traced to the aftermarket remote start the PO had installed. It had some internal problem that had begun keeping the starter engaged after the engine had started. It also caused a 150mA drain when the car was off, and while I was troubleshooting that, it pegged my meter twice and blew the meter's internal fuse (old analog meter with the needle). So maybe you have an aftermarket device that's failing?

I have an aftermarket autoheadlight module which is working perfectly..I will remove it this evening and see if it fixes the issue. Thanks

 

[kukablack]

Update: Seems like you are right about the ground issue. I can drive the car without the ALT-S fuse and it still charges the battery at different voltage. So I think when I plug in the fuse it is causing path to ground as you suggested. I will have to check the alternator wire connector and harness and wires in the fusebox.

Thanks for the nice tip !

 

[earthrealm]

Update: Seems like you are right about the ground issue. I can drive the car without the ALT-S fuse and it still charges the battery at different voltage. So I think when I plug in the fuse it is causing path to ground as you suggested. I will have to check the alternator wire connector and harness and wires in the fusebox.

Thanks for the nice tip !

am having a similar issue, 0.3amps drains...when the alt-s fuse is pulled, drain drops to zero.
how did you resolve this?.
battery dies within 2 to 4 days of sitting, unlike my rav4 that can sit for 3weeks plus