Definitive answer on the charge/brake light issue

[KidVermicious]

Easily one of the most common questions around here. "What does it mean when my charge light/brake light and/or AT temp light come on all at once?"

The stock answer is "check your alternator".

In my experience, a brake light/charge light is normally the alternator, and a brake light/charge light/AT temp light is generally the belt. Can anybody else confirm or deny?

 

[fourwd1]

Easily one of the most common questions around here. "What does it mean when my charge light/brake light and/or AT temp light come on all at once?"

The stock answer is "check your alternator".

In my experience, a brake light/charge light is normally the alternator, and a brake light/charge light/AT temp light is generally the belt. Can anybody else confirm or deny?

Both mean the same thing, an alt problem, "usually" the brushes.

The addition of the A/T temp light just means you have an A/T, nothing else.

Just Toyota's way of telling you there's a problem.

 

[Bad_Vision]

another great thread to post to our tech section

 

[KidVermicious]

Both mean the same thing, an alt problem, "usually" the brushes.

The addition of the A/T temp light just means you have an A/T, nothing else.

Just Toyota's way of telling you there's a problem.

Are you sure? When I threw my alternator belt last summer, I had all three lights. When my alternator died on me last December, all I had was the brake/charge light. You're thinking there's no rhyme or reason to that?

 

[Bad_Vision]

remeber when you throw a belt the alternator doesnt spin at all but when the brushes fail its a hole different story some charge may be getting through to the gauge cluster.

 

[Nate613]

i had all three lights and i replaced my alternator and they shut off. on another not what does it mean when im driving and the brake light comes on and then shuts off when i come to stop sign, any explanations, very strange, could it be just an electrical issue?

 

[projectX4runner]

Very good to know :lookout: