Washed Engine = Dead Battery???

[sargesvs]

OK, So I thought I'd throw this out there to se if this has happened to anyone else..........................

This Is on a 91 3.0 4WD 5Speed 4runner

Washed the engine compartment. Used that engine bright stuff that makes your engine smell like kerosene forever(why wasn't that on the can???). Rinse engine. Go to start the next day, and I need a jump. Engine starts, seems to charge OK, didn't notice any warning lights. I drive around a bit and park it. Next day, battery DEAD. It won't even register on the dash volt meter. OK, charge battery, start it up, notice alt light and battery light flash every thime I rev it up. Also at the same time the warning lights go on, the meter is showing an overvoltage. Park it, battery DEAD next day. Charge battery again, now when I start it, even at Idle, the battery warning light is on, and an over voltage is showing. As long as I unplug the battery while the truck is parked, it'll start when I hook it back up. It seems to me there is a short somewhere. The battery and alternator are only a year old. My plan was to remove them and get them tested after my collar bone heals(another story). Just wanted to know if anyone had any Ideas. Also was wondering If someone could tell me if the voltage regulator is part of the altenator on theese trucks, and if not, where is it?? Thanks,
-Sarge

 

[mikes4runner]

Yes it is a internal regulator on the alternator...sorry but you should have covered your battery/alternator before cleaning.

I would pull the battery check conections have a auto place charge/test and also pull the alternator and do the same.


Mike

 

[sargesvs]

Yea, I checked the battery at auto zone. It was good. The alternator is going to be hard to pull out until I heal up a bit. I covered the battery and the distributer, but not the alternator. I've never used that brand engine cleaner, but have hosed off and pressure washed my engine many times with no problems.(though I would never reccomend using a pressure washer) I guess there is a first time for everything....................

One other thing. Truck running........removed battery, truck continues to run, but windshield wipers go CRAZY. They start wiping at like double the fastest speed you could normally switch it to. Wierd.

 

[fourwd1]

Sounds like one or more of the diodes in the diode-trio in the alt is shorted, draining the batt overnight. Been there.

Don't trust the reading from the dash voltmeter. Mine always says I'm at 18V when engine is running.

 

[sargesvs]

Sounds like one or more of the diodes in the diode-trio in the alt is shorted, draining the batt overnight. Been there.

Can I replace those seperately, easily. I'm not too useless around tools. Know where I could find reliable replacements?

I will be removing the alt tomorrow morning to have it checked out.

Thanks
-Chris