[IronNam]

well instead of worrying about my idle problem, i'm getting an electrical problem, one of my hated problems.

Well, lately the battery and BRAKE light have been poppping up.

especially at night when my head lights are on... it won't pop up unless you use the wipers, or the signals, or the int. fans, or radio.. any load will cause the batt/alt and brake lamps to pop up.

I'm not sure if my alternator is doing its job or the battery is wanting to die.

I'd like to know the symptoms of these two. Well Last week i had a missing Alternator bolt.... that made the two lamps pop up..... well i fixed that problem with a new bolt! that New Bolt IS STILL ON.... and now i got the problem again....

this is really bothering me.. Keeping RPM's up to try to prevent a black out is killing mileage

 

[EstebanC]

A volt-meter would be the proper tool to tackle this one. Now, as far as I understand this, any problems that you could be having with the engine running, are most likely due to the alternator. Likewise, any problems with the engine turned off, are most likely due to the battery. Batteries are for starting the truck and for storing extra power the alternator produces and is not used while the engine, lights, etc, are in use. That's why the car will run on 15 volts or so instead of 12; the extra amps are for charging the battery.

If I understood you right, sounds like it might be the alternator that's giving you trouble. This is no place for guessing, though. It'll be quite a hassle to be left in the middle of nowhere because of this...

 

[IronNam]

I might end up replacing the brushes.

So last night i charged the battery at a 2Amp rate from about 12AM until 1PM. then i drove today, and by the end of today, i had an almost drained battery, only to sustain my headlights and motor (keep in mind it was thunderstorming, on a side note, Northeast Wichita Blacked out.... i drifted, word.) and only used the wipers when needed. I got home safe but when i got to the driveway, the lamp indicators went full.

Well when it began to light up, it came on only when extra load came on...

i dunno if that even helps out

but i will probably look at the alternator.

Btw Esteban, where have you been!? drop a VK45 in that hardbody!

 

[EstebanC]

From that last post, my money is now for sure on the alternator. Again, as far as my understanding goes, your car does not run on the battery; once it starts, it's all alternator.

If in the middle of a drive your power (electrically-wise) starts to drop, for sure is because you are running on battery power, which is not how it is supposed to run. Battery is a very limited power source, and if it's dropping is because it's almost empty. The alternator generates (used to be called generator - now it's called alternator because it gives AC instead of DC) while spinning because of the belt that, as you know, is hooked up to everything else, making it an "unlimited" power supply with enough juice to charge back the battery... Get that fixed before you kill the battery too.

Man have I been tied up! Vet school is getting tougher by the day and now, as you can see, I'm doing the graveyard at my workplace!! That's actually good news when it comes to the forum; I have a little more time to browse the net during this hours... Regarding the VK45, now wouldn't that be something? Gotta tell ya, the idea of me getting rid of this truck is breaking my heart; I'm in love with the thing. I've had it for about 8 years now, and the only reason I got the Yota is cause I need the 4*4. Gotta sell it though, no point in keeping both trucks....

 

[IronNam]

You all are correct. money lands on the alternator GROUND wire.....


got that fixed.

In the meanwhile i drilled a hole in my corner lamps and put my turn signals in there.. now i have corner lights, and really bright signals now... especially now people can see from teh side!

We bought new belt for alternator also.

Tomorrow i will install NGK V-Power spark plugs. Do I need to gap these?

and will finally need to correct idle issues!

I'm on a roll!

 

[IronNam]

From that last post, my money is now for sure on the alternator. Again, as far as my understanding goes, your car does not run on the battery; once it starts, it's all alternator.

If in the middle of a drive your power (electrically-wise) starts to drop, for sure is because you are running on battery power, which is not how it is supposed to run. Battery is a very limited power source, and if it's dropping is because it's almost empty. The alternator generates (used to be called generator - now it's called alternator because it gives AC instead of DC) while spinning because of the belt that, as you know, is hooked up to everything else, making it an "unlimited" power supply with enough juice to charge back the battery... Get that fixed before you kill the battery too.

Man have I been tied up! Vet school is getting tougher by the day and now, as you can see, I'm doing the graveyard at my workplace!! That's actually good news when it comes to the forum; I have a little more time to browse the net during this hours... Regarding the VK45, now wouldn't that be something? Gotta tell ya, the idea of me getting rid of this truck is breaking my heart; I'm in love with the thing. I've had it for about 8 years now, and the only reason I got the Yota is cause I need the 4*4. Gotta sell it though, no point in keeping both trucks....

I would understand if I was to be put into that situation, it's gotta be one or another, or in your case, only one. Good luck with all you have right now, seems like things are going smoother for you also!

 

[EstebanC]

I would understand if I was to be put into that situation, it's gotta be one or another, or in your case, only one. Good luck with all you have right now, seems like things are going smoother for you also!

No complains here! :thumbsup: I'm glad you're on a roll; don't let it stop.