Charging system problem

[JeepTherapy]

Okay, per my user name, I understand the Jeep Thing I just am having some problems with this Toyota Thing! Here is a rundown on what I have been through thus far with my 1984 Toyota 4x4 Truck:

I had a problem with the charging system, so I took the truck down to Checker to have things tested out. They told me I had a bad alternator, so I replaced it. Two days later the battery is dead again :dunno: . This time I am told that it is my voltage regulator, so I replace that, and the problem comes back :confused:. This time I am told that the alternator is bad (replaced again), and the next time (replaced) and the next time (replaced) :frown:. So, I ask them to test their alternators before selling one to me and all the alternators at the Checker's/AutoZones within a 50 mile radius test bad off the store shelves :mad: .

I got an alternator at Carquest and took the AutoZone/Checker stuff back. Now I am still having a charging problem. I checked all the fuses, fusible links and they checked out good. I removed a wire splice from the positive side of the battery that goes to the fusible link and run one direct wire into that box. I am still only getting 12.36 volts when the engine is running.

I am all out of ideas! :bluecryin Can anyone please help me out with what else to look for before I give up and take this thing to a mechanic?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Kevin

[KToy]

replace your terminals ??? u must have a loose ground somwhere in my opinion.

check all the grounds and see what you get then.

also 14 bolts is normal so your not far off.

[keyice]

charging system, put ignition in run postion, check yellow wire to alternator, if no juice, you need to find the break in the wire, if juice continue on to check for dirty fusible link by mixing baking soda and water together dip the fusible link if it bubbles then it is corroded inside, need to change. also check your engine ground it is share sometimes by the alternator, oh I assume the vr and the alternator are seperate because both are options on an 84, also if you open up the voltage regulator if the coil is smoke that usually means the wire from the alternator to the battery is corroded inside.

Might not be either also, disconnect negative terminal and then touch it back to the post if it sparks you have a draw which means your battery is being drain all the time. But since you had just 12.36 volts that tells me more than likely it is a charging problem.

[JeepTherapy]

Thanks for the reply. The voltage regulator and alternator are separate from each other. I am not able to open the voltage regulator as it is sealed shut, but I did replace it with no results. Which fusible link would be for the charging system, red or yellow? The fusible links do not appear to be broken, although the yellow one does have some residue on the bottom of it. I tested them for continuity and they tested the same as all my other fuses.

Where should the other end of the negative terminal be attached to? Mine is attached to the inner fender.

I will check into this yellow wire later on as well as the fusible link.

Thanks for the replies thus far.

Kevin

charging system, put ignition in run postion, check yellow wire to alternator, if no juice, you need to find the break in the wire, if juice continue on to check for dirty fusible link by mixing baking soda and water together dip the fusible link if it bubbles then it is corroded inside, need to change. also check your engine ground it is share sometimes by the alternator, oh I assume the vr and the alternator are seperate because both are options on an 84, also if you open up the voltage regulator if the coil is smoke that usually means the wire from the alternator to the battery is corroded inside.

Might not be either also, disconnect negative terminal and then touch it back to the post if it sparks you have a draw which means your battery is being drain all the time. But since you had just 12.36 volts that tells me more than likely it is a charging problem.

[22REkid]

It soounds lige a bad ground issue to me. You said that the negative cable was grounded to the fender well. It should have a groung on the fender well but also to the engine block. Check to see if it is only connected to the fenderwell, if it is, an easy thing to do is grab a set of jumper cables and connect one of the clamps to the negative cable and the other side to the engine block, start it and see what kind of voltage it's putting out then.

[KToy]

has grounds to the frame/motormounts as well.

im thinking grounding problem...

[JeepTherapy]

The problem has been fixed!!! Thanks to all of you for your help.

To make a long story short it was the new voltage regulator I got at Auto Zone. The moral of this story is...Have whatever electrical parts tested before you buy them, or else you may be installing 5 alternators (Checker, AutoZone and Carquest) and two voltage regulators and feel like pounding your head against the wall before you get the problem fixed.

Kevin

[vigilantejustic]

hehhe amen to that

and you can open your voltage regulators, I went throught a similar charging problem a wihle back, I can disect those mother****************ers now :-D

my hanes manual actually shows how to rebuild the regs too