98 4Runner Battery on dash stay on

kakarot

New member
My problem started with battery indicator on the dash comes on n off.
Yesterday it just suddenly stay on and all power lights, signal,clock started to dim down then my 4runner started to jerk and die on me on the hill. I jump the battery but as soon as I took the cable off the car the engine shut off.
What cause this kind of issue, any input will be appreciate looking to try and fixed this over the weekend.

Here is what I think please help
1. Alternator
2. Bad battery

Thanks!
 
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But it may have hosed the battery

The alt can cook a battery but more often than not it's the alt.

Just go to Autozone or O'Reillys who will do a load test on your battery. But charge the battery first or the load test will be crap.

They'll test the alt output too.

It's free.
 
I do it this way at home with a volt meter.
Select the 20 V range

Turn on your AC high, Head lights, wipers + anything that you can think of that draws a significant amount of power.

While the engine is idle check the voltage in your battery. It should be more than 13.0 V. My truck has 14.0 V and my car has 14.2 V.

Have you check the alternator belt? it is loose?

Piece of advice: if you are going to purchase an alternator. try Toyota refurbished alternator. They produce the right voltage even at idle. Any aftermarket alternators generate low (like 12.5 V) at idle and will increase only if you rev up the engine (checks are done with all the accessories on).
 
Thx. for all the answer I've already put in a new battery and it does not nothing as for the old one I think is toasted, the cell are burn.
I'm going to buy an alternator this weekend and see what happen and will report back. You guys are great for helping out.

As for the alt. belt it in good condition just replace them this summer.
 
nissanh,
You know what site offer refurbished alt at a low price.
What brand is toyota alternator. I use google to search but it pop up a lot of site, I do trust site that I dont know about.
I would like to use site that people in the forum uses so I know I wont get screw.

Thx.

I do it this way at home with a volt meter.
Select the 20 V range

Turn on your AC high, Head lights, wipers + anything that you can think of that draws a significant amount of power.

While the engine is idle check the voltage in your battery. It should be more than 13.0 V. My truck has 14.0 V and my car has 14.2 V.

Have you check the alternator belt? it is loose?

Piece of advice: if you are going to purchase an alternator. try Toyota refurbished alternator. They produce the right voltage even at idle. Any aftermarket alternators generate low (like 12.5 V) at idle and will increase only if you rev up the engine (checks are done with all the accessories on).
 
Denso is the brand, I'm pretty sure.

Also, you could probably rebuild it your self. They are bulletproof. Its usually just something small that wears out.
 
yes it is Denso. All electrical/AC parts on a toyota are Nippon Denso.

Toyota Remanufactured Parts: Discount Toyota Parts

It is $250 expensive!

4runner listed with trucks.

Things that get bad in an alternator is brush, diods etc., It is easy to replace brushes. But you need a high watt soldering ion. Brush cost about $10 on ebay.

You can buy a used DENSO alternator from a junk yard. The junk close to my home (60 miles!) have a 97 ltd 4runner with 180 K miles. First of all who junk this beauty? Nothing wrong with it! Alternator is about $35 + tax. I can pull it out and see the quality of brush. If brushes are good, I can buy it for you and mail it out (about $15?) I might go there on this Saturday.


If you remove the alternator, see the quality of brush (should have enough graphite) . If the brush is good, I suspect diods, which is still easy to replace. I can find these in the local junk and mail it out if you like it that way. Shipping takes few days.

Let me know
 
I consider it a minor tragedy every time a forum member trades a stock ND alt. as a core on a refurbished POS alternator. Rebuild it or find someone who can. You'll have a better alt. and will spend less.
 
Thx. for your recommendation but I 'll just have to buy a different one. I saw one on partsgeek for $121 and it a Denso not OEM.
98 1998 Toyota 4Runner Alternator - Engine Electrical - Bosch, Denso, MPA, USA Industries, World Source One - PartsGeek
I really need this to be fix right away as I only have one car.
I'll let you if I change my mind.


yes it is Denso. All electrical/AC parts on a toyota are Nippon Denso.

Toyota Remanufactured Parts: Discount Toyota Parts

It is $250 expensive!

4runner listed with trucks.

Things that get bad in an alternator is brush, diods etc., It is easy to replace brushes. But you need a high watt soldering ion. Brush cost about $10 on ebay.

You can buy a used DENSO alternator from a junk yard. The junk close to my home (60 miles!) have a 97 ltd 4runner with 180 K miles. First of all who junk this beauty? Nothing wrong with it! Alternator is about $35 + tax. I can pull it out and see the quality of brush. If brushes are good, I can buy it for you and mail it out (about $15?) I might go there on this Saturday.


If you remove the alternator, see the quality of brush (should have enough graphite) . If the brush is good, I suspect diods, which is still easy to replace. I can find these in the local junk and mail it out if you like it that way. Shipping takes few days.

Let me know
 
Alternator harness plug repair

Guys,
I need some help as my issue is 95% almost done, I got my alternator rebuild as I was putting everything back on I notice the the harness plug wire are broken.
I took it apart and was able to removed the broken piece(the white strip) there is only three color coded White, Red, Yellow I think, the white strip color one was broken off when I took off the harness plug out. What I need is to find a harness plug to replace the old one which is broken or find the little silver connector so I can re-soldering it back in. I have been trying looking through the web but could not find it due to not knowing the name. Anyone that seen this stuff or knows what I was referring to please point me to the correct site or info.

Thx.
 
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