Alternator Problem??

[chriswoolie]

Hello I have a 04 4Runner Sport all stock. My problem is the starter seemed to be dragging but my 4runner would start. I took the battery back to Interstate and they tested the battery at replaced it so now I have a new battery. Now the issue is once my 4runner is started it wants to die if I am not on the gas. If you sit at a traffic light or just sit in park or neutral my 4runner will cut off. Could I possibly have a bad alternator? Is there a way to test the alternator on my own or should I take it to be tested?

**Update start the 4runner and remove the positive cable from the battery and the 4runner runs fine. Turn the 4runner off and reconnect the positive battery cable then crank up again and it does not want to idle? Anyone seen this issue??? Thanks Chris

 

[toyo]

Is your battery/charge light lit up? If you don't have any test equipment I would just run it by Advance and have them test it.

 

[Brian3676]

Hello I have a 04 4Runner Sport all stock. My problem is the starter seemed to be dragging but my 4runner would start. I took the battery back to Interstate and they tested the battery at replaced it so now I have a new battery. Now the issue is once my 4runner is started it wants to die if I am not on the gas. If you sit at a traffic light or just sit in park or neutral my 4runner will cut off. Could I possibly have a bad alternator? Is there a way to test the alternator on my own or should I take it to be tested? Thanks Chris

Get a volt meter or multi meter and with the car running check voltage at the battery. If it test around 14-14.7 that's good. Now turn on all the accessories you can, radio, blower fan, lights, rear defroster. With all that running it should be able to keep it above 13v.

 

[chriswoolie]

I drove the 4runner around the neighborhood and it just shuts off while driving. You barley know the engine has shut off. No lights no indication at all??? I am going to disconnect the positive battery terminal and do the same drive and see if it dies then

 

[chriswoolie]

I disconnected the positive battery connector and drove the same drive and it seemed to stall and all the radio light went off and on and the radio was not on. Alternator bad?

 

[gm350reratliff]

It could be a lot of things but it doesn't sound like the alternator to me. I would start by thoroughly cleaning the MAF and throttle body then go from there.

 

[toyo]

Sounds like you are losing all of the electrical. No dash lights or anything? The next time it happens try honking the horn, turn the headlights on, etc. Do they work? What are you having to do to restart the vehicle back up?

Start at the battery and make sure all the leads, cables, etc are all tight and keep going. Bad ground is possible as well.

 

[Brian3676]

Trying to diag a problem with out a multi meter or volt meter is pretty silly. You can get a basic one that will at least give you ball park numbers for $5 at harbor freight. If you think its the alt or a fuse issue, get one and do the test I talked about earlier.

 

[chriswoolie]

The fix was the throttle body. I have never cleaned it so it was pretty dirty. After cleaning the throttle body I am back to normal. I guess it was just a coincidence I did an oil change then the next day battery problems, replaced the battery and then would not idle properly clean throttle body and back to normal. Thanks for the advice and yes I have a Fluke meter and check the battery and alternator per my Haynes manual. Chris

 

[toyo]

That's pretty weird, I have seen what a dirty TB will do but never have I seen it shut off all the electrical as you described. Pretty odd to say the least.