Batteries not charging - suspect alternator

[Rustinho]

Hi there folks. This may seem like an obvious question but here goes anyway.

The batteries on my Surf are going flat pretty quickly (in a few days with normal daily use of the truck). I suspected that it would be that they weren't charging due to the alternator finally giving up the ghost. I was warned that it wasn't working properly not long after I bought the truck 2 years ago and called out the breakdown service folks who tested the the voltage across the batteries with the engine off/idling/revving.

Given the warning signs I'm expecting it to be the alternator but I'm wondering why the warning light on the dash isn't letting me know this (I assume there should be a warning light or beep or something that should flag a failing alternator given the posts I've looked at elsewhere on the forum about this problem).

All I have done so far is test the voltage across the batteries (fully charged and just put back on the truck):

Engine off: 12.8v
Engine idling: 12.8v
Engine revving hard: 12.8v

Now for the question...

Are there any fuses/relays I need to check before I assume the worst and replace the alternator?
Any other helpful advice will be most welcome.

Thanks in advance, folks.

[schrodingers-cat]

I had that problem, took a few days to go flat, no warning light on
It was the drive belt`s. one had snapped and the remaining one wasn`t the right one,it turned the alternator and never squealed. Got two of the right one`s and it worked fine

[Albannach]

There is a 100A fuse next to the 80A one, check that if you like, but I doubt if it's that.

My money is on the alternator, it should be cranking out 14+v when it's working.

[Tallyman]

+1 on that. You look to be getting just the charged voltage in the battery. With the alternator running it definitely should be above 14V at the very minimum. Could just be the diode pack on the alternator though, not the whole thing but I don't know if that is replaceable on Surf alternators. Best to get it straight to an auto electrician who can check and confirm/repair or replace, before you knacker the batteries as well.

[BUSHWHACKER]

I have two, 2.4 alternators here, £30 each + p&p.

[Rustinho]

I have two, 2.4 alternators here, £30 each + p&p.

Cheers Mr B - I'll keep you in mind depending on how things go.

I've been in touch with "Mr Alternator" stateside about their high-output alternators having seen them mentioned in a post while I was searching the forum. Unfortunately there wasn't any further detail with the results. I'll report back to the forum once I hear back from them...

[IanB2]

Are your battery posts and cable contacts clean? That can affect the alternator's ability to get the charge to the batteries, and your readings.

[Twisted Instigator]

I have a similar problem, and was told it was the alternator by the breakdown recovery bods too as when testing it wasn't charging the battery just like you have mentioned.

But thanks to Mr Magic Hands Tony N, when doing the service on the car he noticed that the seal on the crank pulley (harmonic stabiliser), had gone. Therefore the middle was turning at full speed but the outer wasn't. Which in turn wasn't turning the belts at the optimum speed for the alternator & water pump. It was much cheaper to check & replace that than the alternator. It may not be that on yours but it's definitely worth a check!!

Good luck with it!

(Told you I was listening Tony!)

[Ploddit]

If it is the alternator just change whatevers dead probablly the reg/rec unit.


Dunno what model yours is but 2.4 parts aren't obscene.

http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_J_199...JMQT_1903.html

If toyota are too much wonga I've always found happiness with these guys.


http://www.woodauto.com/

[BUSHWHACKER]

If it is the alternator just change whatevers dead probablly the reg/rec unit.
Dunno what model yours is but 2.4 parts aren't obscene.

http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_J_199...JMQT_1903.html

If toyota are too much wonga I've always found happiness with these guys.


http://www.woodauto.com/

See post #5.

[carlpppumps]

I had the same problem with one of my surfs it was not charging the batterys it also seemed to be pulling away in 3rd gear from a standstill it turned out to be a fuse by the drivers foot well had gone i changed the fuse and it started to charge the batterys and change gear ok again

[Shadyadie]

Check your batteries, I was told my alternator had gone and it turned out one of the batteries was knackered.

[Rustinho]

Just a note to anyone using the search function (god forbid!) and finding this post.

The alternator was knackered. Replacement was sourced and replaced by Mr B (waves at Mr B! Incidentally, my in-laws live near Abergavenny now!) who also found a brittle/corroded cable connected to the +ve terminal on the battery.

Also - Mr Alternator - don't touch with somebody elses barge pole. They supplied the wrong item and were unhelpful in resolving the matter when I contacted them.

Unfortunately my Surf is long gone cos I needed to run something a lot cheaper on fuel. With a bit of luck I'll get another one someday cos I absolutely loved the wee beasty.