88 warning lights?

[suntinez]

Sorry for 1st post with a question.

I recently acquired an 88 4runner with the 3.0/AT and have been fixing some clearly needed things - it's mostly stock with about 140K miles on it.

Without any obvious cause driving the other day, the A/T oil temp light, battery light, and parking brake light came on. The OBD port isn't throwing any codes (12, check). I checked the FSM, these don't appear to be on the same circuit. Disconnected the battery, checked tranny fluid and parking brake - no funny stuff going on there.

I got it with the engine temp gauge not working, but other than that all the dash gauges etc work fine.

Any suggestions on where to start much appreciated, thanks!

 

[suntinez]

I just found this thread. Alternator belt? Well that's a little crazy but will check it out

 

[the_dingman]

Brake + Battery lights = Alternator issue.

 

[KidVermicious]

I just found this thread. Alternator belt? Well that's a little crazy but will check it out

The brake light/charge light thing is just Toyotas way of giving the most info possible with a limited number of lights (why they didn't just add another warning light is beyond me). The AT Temp light is because your coolant pump is on the same belt as the alternator. It's too bad your engine temp gauge wasn't working, if you were overheating it'd almost certainly be the belt.

I have a theory that when you only see the brake light and battery light, it's the alternator itself, whereas if you see the AT Temp light as well, it's the belt. I haven't found anybody that agrees with me, and I haven't gotten enough examples to prove or disprove my theory. If you wouldn't mind posting back up with what your fix was, I'd appreciate it.

 

[suntinez]

Will do, thanks for replies ... seriously wouldn't have thought of alternator given the symptoms.

Belt is in good shape/tension, battery is holding charge, etc. Plan is to check alternator regulator output, but since it's integral, may wind up just replacing the alternator.

Engine isn't overheating but may fix that too while I'm in there. I hate not knowing.

 

[fourwd1]

It's usually the alt's brushes.

 

[suntinez]

I replaced the alt. belt first, didn't fix the problem. So a new alternator went in, all better now.

Did a tranny flush and tightened the cable too, was filthy in there. Doesn't feel like I hit a rock every time it shifts now.

Thanks for the input all.