strange

[fredk]

Got one for ya, I have an 88 3sfe auto dx and the lites for the alt, brake, lites, comes on for no apparent reason, I thought. Alt is charging and this started out happening from a cold start and came on just before it shifted to 2 gear, now they come on right after startup hot or cold mostly. Today they stayed off to begin with and i set the cruise, took off and the lites came on at the same time the cruise quit, everything else is ok and as long as the lites are on the cruise is inop, I stopped and restarted the car and the lites were off so i set the cruise again and it worked for miles, until the lites came back on

[TBayToyotaBoy]

That's a new one...ghost in the machine. Is the cruise a factory unit?

[drugal]

Here's my best guess:

Your alternator regulator has gone bad. The brake, rear lights and charge bulbs are getting a ground through the regulator and lighting up. The brake light warning system is tied into the cruise control computer, and a ground there will trigger the cancel mechanism.


Edit: It's possible the alternator could still be charging ok with that fault

[white90dx]

Those three lights together means the alternator is starting to go bad - probably the brushes have worn out.

Have the alternator rebuilt if it is an original Denso or get a replacement otherwise.

-Charlie

[Doctor J]

Unplug connector from the altrnator, then turn key to ON [DO NOT CRANK THE ENGINE]; if lights are off, alternator may have problems; if lights are on there, locate and repair electrical short.

[rocknrolldude89]

I've been having the same exact problem as fredk. I recently bought my camry and its done it on and off since purchase. I doubt that it has as many issues like someone mentioned, it seems very unlikely for all those things to go bad around the same time. Could anyone offer any other suggestions?

[Ten_and_Two]

Same issue here but no advise, it's been doing it since day one. I first noticed it when I would be on the highway in cruise and all the sudden it would just kick off. After it did it a few times I noticed those three lights would flicker, just on and off real fast. Since then my cruise has stopped working (possibly because of the speedo cable breaking?) but I still notice the lights flashing on then off about every time I drive it. I just assumed it was a bad ground somewhere.

[fredk]

the regulator was topping out

[Mike Gerber]

Most likely a bad alternator. The regulator mentioned buy someone a bit earlier in this thread is inside the alternator. You can do a simple alternator check with a digital volt/ohmeter with the car running. Set the meter to 20 volts DC and just touch the 2 probes to the battery terminals. You will probably read 13 to 14-1/2 volts. If you did the same test when the lights in the dash are on, chances are will only see battery voltage - around 12 volts or a bit lower. If so, just replace the alternator with a rebuilt one or have your alternator rebuilt by an auot electrical rebuilder in your area. The auto electrical rebuilder is my personal choice.

Mike

[malayan]

This has happened about 10 times in the last 3 years with my Camry Dealership aokautogroup.com & aoktoyota.com

has always turned out that the alternator & or regulator. swapped them out and WA LAA NO MORE PROBLEMS OR LIGHTS.
I always keep an extra 4-5 altslaying around from Pick N Pull.

13- 14.5 volts s good. Just make sure it is not putting out the AC trick when the diod goes...(can give fale reading) so know your tester

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by Ten_and_Two

Same issue here but no advise, it's been doing it since day one. I first noticed it when I would be on the highway in cruise and all the sudden it would just kick off. After it did it a few times I noticed those three lights would flicker, just on and off real fast. Since then my cruise has stopped working (possibly because of the speedo cable breaking?) but I still notice the lights flashing on then off about every time I drive it. I just assumed it was a bad ground somewhere.

Those three warning lights = alternator, almost without question. It is how the car is wired (they REALLY want you to get it fixed, otherwise you will be left on the side of the road).

And of course the speedo not working will keep the cruise control from working! How else would it know how fast you are going? Replace the broken part in the speedo cable (there are a few places it can break) and you will be good to go there.

-Charlie

[AnimatedMechanic]

It's definitely the alternator. This happened to me last year and I just replaced it with one from a scrapped Camry.

[rocknrolldude89]

Well I'm going to check my loaded/unloaded output tomorrow. The alternator probably only has 20k on it at the most. But when the three lights do come on, the idle raises a bit and it runs poorly until the lights turn off. Would anyone assume that its the same related problem as the alternator going bad? Thanks

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by rocknrolldude89

Well I'm going to check my loaded/unloaded output tomorrow. The alternator probably only has 20k on it at the most. But when the three lights do come on, the idle raises a bit and it runs poorly until the lights turn off. Would anyone assume that its the same related problem as the alternator going bad? Thanks

Probably, but check the alternator first. Don't just replace it. Also, remember to check the belt tension too.

Mike

[91 Camry]

it is the alternator. i had the same problem. exactly the same. replaced the alternator and all is well