Charge light on ... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tym1200 · 08-18-2005, 01:30 AM

The "charge" light is on on my tercel, and I assume that means the battery isnt charging? But I drove it for 15 minutes tonight with the lights on and I had no problems. Could it just be a false light, or could it be something else?

Also, I have a very annoying kind of screeching sound that comes from the gauge area or around there when the car is accelerating or driving, and when it isnt moving the sound stops. Anyone have any ideas?

brooker32 · 08-18-2005, 07:34 PM

Whenever I saw a charge light on the altenator wasn't working. Get the voltage tested on the battery, when the car is idling I belive you should get 13-14volts. I am basing that on the neon I used to own. I am assuming the voltage would be around the same.

jeffs94 · 08-18-2005, 07:57 PM

If the charge light is on, then your alternator isnt charging like its supposed to. You can have normal voltage and not have any amperage. Take it and have it tested at a reputable shop.

McTimson · 08-19-2005, 01:17 AM

Bring it to Autozone or Advanced Auto or something, they do battery and alternator tests for free.

Sounds like the screeching could be the alternator belt, maybe it needs to be replaced, and that's what's causing the charge light to come on, since the alternator isn't spinning fast enough.

tym1200 · 08-19-2005, 01:48 AM

Well I looked today and I have quite a bit of oil on the belts from the engine, could that cause the belts to slip enough to make the charge light and brake light come on?

Paseo15psi · 08-19-2005, 05:13 PM

Yes the oil on the belts could cause it to slip and not charge. Even worse, you could have gotten an excessive amount of oil in the alternator itself and damaged the rectifier or stator. It is most likely your alt though. Also our cars can run quite a while on just the battery, I tested that theory when my alt went bad.

p.s. The brake light seems to come on also when the alternator is going bad, atleast mine did. Changed the alt and both lights went away. I think both being on means it's the alt and not the battery.

***Tercel GTS*** · 08-19-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tym1200

The "charge" light is on on my tercel, and I assume that means the battery isnt charging?
Also, I have a very annoying kind of screeching sound that comes from the gauge area or around there when the car is accelerating or driving, and when it isnt moving the sound stops. Anyone have any ideas?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tym1200

Well I looked today and I have quite a bit of oil on the belts from the engine, could that cause the belts to slip enough to make the charge light and brake light come on?

I'm just wondering why you left off important information on the first post here. The brake light and the oil are almost critical info for a proper diagnosis.

Now to answer your question...
The oil is/was your main culprit.
Alternator brushes do not like any form of oil and neither does the copper rings called slip rings on the rotor. Oil makes both parts dissolve like mud in a bucket of water. To begin repairs you first need a new timing belt, a front main seal, cam seal(s) and a new valve cover gasket.
After those repairs are done you may consider replacing the alternator with a dry one from a salvage car as those are better than most parts store units and yours is to abused to rebuild it. Also replace the belt.