Toyota Van Wagon

1989 Toyota Van Wagon Electrical / Lighting Systems Dimming When driving When warm 

My van puts out 14+volts -- until it warms up -- then, as I accelerate or cruise at high speeds 50+ it drops to 12 volt -- as I turn on lights, fan etc it goes below 12 volt. If I slow down it jumps back to 14 volts. No light come on on the dash at this time -- I have been stranded once but was told that it was just a bad battery -- which I replaced. thanks.

Either the belt is slipping or the alternator output is insufficient.

If you visit your local chain autoparts store (Autozone, Advance, etc) they'll check the charging system free of charge.

I think it may be the voltage regulator --- the belt was ok and when tested, the alt put out 14.5 volts.

Now my question is --- where is the voltage regulator -- I bought one --- is it on the Alternator???

The regulator is inside the alternator.

Thanks --- found it last night --- last volt regulator I messed with was external on a 50 ford.

Charging ok now ---- thanks

Good work!

Most people don't repair alternators now. It's refreshing to see someone take the time and only fix what is broken.

I just looked at an old tractor with a generator. It charges fine when running, but discharges severely when the key is on. I noticed the generator trys to spin with the key on. It has a 'universal' regulator (new) installed, so a repair manual will be of no help for wiring. This will be tough to get right the first time.

The last external regulators I recall are on some early 80's Dodge products. I like these, but did not like it when they integrated the regulator into the computer. Just think how many people spent a $100 on an alternator then had to to spend $200-300 on a computer.

1987 Toyota Van Wagon Electrical / Lighting Systems   

AFTER REPLACING ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND REPAIRING FRAYED WIRE IN CHARGING SYSTEM 1987 TOYOTA VAN WAGON CONTINUES TO RUN OFF BATTERY. ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH STAY ON WHILE RUNNING. WHAT IS PEVENTING THE SYSTEM FROM LETTING THE VAN RUN OFF THE ALTERNATOR AND KEEPING THE BATTERY CHARGED??

Start by triple checking the battery terminals, cables, engine grounds, and connections/wires at alternator. Keep in mind corrosion tends to bleed down into wires.

Don't overlook fuses and fusible links (especially in the event of frayed wires.) Make sure enough of the bad wiring was replaced.

1985 Toyota Van Wagon Ignition System Won't Start When starting Always

No Spark, changes igniter in distributer, coil in distributer, module under drivers seat- turns over, no spark- any ideas I think this is before the computer module part was installed. All tune up parts look good

Have you checked to see if the distributor spins during engine cranking?

Also, never overlook bad fuses/fusible links and bad electrical connections at the battery, engine, and grounds.

1985 Toyota Van Wagon Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction  

The alternator went out, I thought, so I replaced it. Battery isn't getting charged, everyone I've talked to says its a fusible link, I haven't been able to locate it. Where would I locate it? Is it in the jumper wire from the alternator to the wiring harness? any help on this would be greatly appreciated

by battery toyota also has a fuse check all fuses under hood and dash

After I replaced the Alternator, I took it to a mechanic and he rplaced a broken wire on the side of the battery harness, could this have been where the fuse was once located? Or is it on the Positive strap to the battery?

if it has a fuse it is in the fuse box check where he fixed make sure he didnt just twist together and black tape it

replaced all fuses in the box, still no go. I assume the mechanic did just splice the wire and tape it. I didn't see an in-line fuse anywhere when I traced the line from the battery.

to see if it is wiring take jumper cables and connect one end to alt positive and the other to battery positive see if you have 13.6 volts or more then

1985 Toyota Van Wagon Electrical / Lighting Systems   

Hello,
The van has always run fine. I disconnected the negative side of my battery to investigate a malfunctioning stereo. I disconnected the stereo, removed it, and put it back. I reconnected the negative side of the battery and the electric seems to work for the most part. The stereo and lights work. The clock doesn't now . . . and the van won't start.
Do you have any troubleshooting suggestions?

The clock does, in fact, work.
The engine doesn't make a sound when I turn the key.
Electric all works. The lights don't seem dim or anything.

The first thing I would check are both of the connections at the battery, especially the smaller 10 guage wires and connections.
A test light should be fine.Check both ends of the battery cables with an ohm meter.Check the small wire on the starter solenoid, as it might have been dislodged.
Also ensure the make sure the battery fully charged and the fuses.

1985 Toyota Van Wagon Ignition System   

I left my lights on over night and the battery died. Jumped it but then had to get a new battery cause the old one kept dying. Put the new battery in and then it started fine but since then it has been shutting off when i am slowing or at a stop or in park. it will very sporadically turn over a little but for the most part just clicks. If i was accelerating from a stop it would sputter like it wasnt getting gas.help! msuspicion iss

Ok it is very possible that you might have an alternator problem. Best to chasge battery overnight with a 110volt battery charger. Then test the alternator with a volt ohm meter.I like to see 13-14 volts.
No tester? Look at the back of the alt.There is a bearing sticking out at the back, in center. When an alternator is charging well, that area will have a strong magnetic pull (hold a screwdriver against it) a weak or no pull? A weak alternator,,,should be replaced.If the battery has about 1/2 charge (as I think) then a boost will get it running, but then it will immediatly drop back to the 1/2 charge. Thats why a battery charger will temporarily give you a full charge.

1984 Toyota Van Wagon Electrical / Lighting Systems  When driving No pattern

I have been having on-going electrical problems. The three dash light indicators ( brake, radiator and alt. ) comes on, which means the alternator is not charging. I have had the alternator numberous times, changed and checked. I have in the past thought that there is a "short" somewhere. The lights ( indicator ) seem to come on when I have been driving it for about 20 minutes. The lights start out dim and gradually get brighter. If I am driving on the highway they continually come on and then go away and come one. I sometimes think that it goes away at 4000 r.p.m., but that isn't consistent either. All of my interior lights, radio, o/d, signal, horn, radio, etc. works fine, except the indicator lights. Any thoughts or reported problems similar ?
Thanks.

I believe you have to go back to an initial view.
It sounds like a definate short to me also the place you need to investigate is in the ignition switch and not in the wiring harness
I hope this helps