###### thing!

I recently fitted new spots to the front of the truck, after having managed to find a great a bar just up the road. About a week after that the timing belt and battery light came on for about 2 mins then went off again. After that the voltmeter has gradually gone right down until on Saturday the car wouldn't start, battery was dead. So here's me thinking I've got an earthe problem (seems logical?) as i had to re earth the truck when i fitted the lights as the original earth strap bolt sheared, so I redid it, and even soldered it around the lugs.
Anyway I took it to my mate today, who owns a garage and he tested the alternator, and its knackered. So its in this week having a new one fitted. Just a pain in the bum not having the car for a coupe of days. He hasn't give me a price yet, any ideas?

Still wouldn't change it lol

Many thanks,

Dan

[si tate]

Sorry to hear that mate.

Roughtrax do the alternators at about £140 squid, which i don't think is too bad unless your mate can get it cheaper.

[squipper]

Our trucks must be related!

Exactly same problem for me Dan!! I fitted Angel Eye Spots to my KZN130, old relay earthing strap bolt sheared, so re-did that. A few days later both batteries dead! Got the batteries charged & tested, which were ok, so checked out Alternator.
It seems to slowly charge when there's no load on it, but as soon as I stick lights/heating on etc, the battery voltage decreases!!

Think I also need new alternator. I've heard though that it could just be the regulator pack (or rectifier) which is a few diodes? attached to the alternator. I've heard that these are very cheap & are the probable cause of alternator failure & many garages would simply try to flog you a new alternator rather than change a regulator pack.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Regards,

Martin

I jump started the truck on Thursday and took it down to my garage, he's an excellent bloke, he owns two rally teams at different levels, got to know him through taking my Subaru there, I would never trust another garage now I've used him. He's big into his off roading and has built a number of custom trucks for people, one of his specialities being serious lifts on Surfs/4Runners.
He tested the alternator itself for me and it was only giving out 11V with no load across it, just idling. When I went through some water the voltmeter inside went right up, he reckons it had shorted something out inside. To cut a long story short he reckons its the alternator and I have no reason not to agree. He reckons the spots are just a total coincidence, he checked the wiring and even did the earth bond test, so no probs there.

Anyway he ordered the alternator, cheapest he could find was Toyota genuine part, £193 plus VAT for an exchange. It turned up on Friday, he whipped the old one off, presented new one up and it was an exact mirror image of the one we needed!!!! That was with model number and engine numbers read out to Toyota over the phone. Wierd. So the new one should be here tomorrow, with any luck I should have her bac to enjoy what's left of the snow.

[MattF]

Think I also need new alternator. I've heard though that it could just be the regulator pack (or rectifier) which is a few diodes? attached to the alternator. I've heard that these are very cheap & are the probable cause of alternator failure & many garages would simply try to flog you a new alternator rather than change a regulator pack.

There are very few places which have either the knowledge, equipment or parts for rebuilding alternators. Replacement is usually your only option, unless you have a local alternator specialist.

[PDR]

There is an auto electrician in my town that I have been using for over 25 years. He is retired and now does the work in his garden shed. Always a great service at very good prices. Last thing I took to him was the starter motor... he said “I know what a struggle it is to get these on & off on those Toyotas so I have replaced every part that might go, save you having to do the job again”. Cost was only about £45 IIRC. Looked like brand new, clean and repainted.

Got the truck back today, right part finally arrived. Batteries both been fully charged, Simon (the boss at the garage) reckons it should be bob on now. I'll try it for a couple of days, hope it is all cured. Worst thing is the Mrs has got it now as she smashed her car up last night when someone drove into the side of her. So after all that I still haven't been able to drive it!!! At least she is ok tho.

£279 all in, including doing the tracking and charging the batteries and stuff. He also replaced a couple of the belts that were starting to look a bit worn. All in all quite happy now, except I still don't get to drive it.