lightwave Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 A few weeks ago I posted about my car and it's charge not holding. Now it's just as bad with the new battery. Here's the dillio: I got a new Bosch heavy duty battery. It was great until last week when I went to London. I came home last night, and the car was dead. Totally dead. No alarm, no central locking (obviously)... NO CLOCK! Totally had it. Jump started the car from my Dad's car. Got it going. Took my girlfriend home 10 mins down the motorway, then I turned the engine off (I like to live on the edge) Anyway, when I came out about 15 mins later to start it, it was fine. Like it was fully charged. When I got back home I put the battery on a trickle charge which turns off when it's done. At the time, it was measuring 12.25V but slowly dropping... 12.24... 12.23 while I was setting up the charger. I left it to charge, and it was ok this morning. The charger had turned off and it was reading 12.3V again. Today I took it to the place I got the battery. They tested it - with the engine off, the battery was reading 15V - TOO HIGH! With the engine running (idle) it was a stupid 17V. I'm gonna have another dead battery soon! WHAT'S GOING ON!? I think my alternator's a bit dicky, but I should probably be sure before I spend out on a new one. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suprababy Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Mine was charging at 17v and it turned out to be a corroded wire connecting to the alternator - wire didnt need replacing just a good clean - car running fine now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightwave Posted June 28, 2004 Author Share Posted June 28, 2004 eek! Where's the alternator? Thanks for the info, you could well be right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Sounds like the regulator in the alternator has gone, and that's often because the water pump is leaking onto it, as the little rubber drain pipe has fallen off that directs water from a failed seal away from the alternator it sits directly above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightwave Posted June 28, 2004 Author Share Posted June 28, 2004 CW: With your diagnosis, that would mean I would need what replacement parts? Thanks btw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLicense Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Originally posted by Chris Wilson Sounds like the regulator in the alternator has gone, and that's often because the water pump is leaking onto it, as the little rubber drain pipe has fallen off that directs water from a failed seal away from the alternator it sits directly above. Is there nothing you don't know about these cars Chris? Or is this a common fault? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Originally posted by lightwave CW: With your diagnosis, that would mean I would need what replacement parts? Thanks btw A decent auto electric company should be able to rebuild your unit. Or price up an exchange unit from Toyoat, may not be too bad, it's the sort of thing that could be cheap or manically expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted June 28, 2004 Share Posted June 28, 2004 Originally posted by TLicense Is there nothing you don't know about these cars Chris? Or is this a common fault? There's plenty i don't know about them, but probably less than the average Toyota dealer doesn't know It's the only reason so far that I have seen a dead or overcharging alternator, but no doubt as people wire up massive current draw sound equipment it may become more common. I now charge a surcharge for fuel pump work if I have to prat about amongst tons of ICE junk in the boot to gain access Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted June 29, 2004 Share Posted June 29, 2004 Originally posted by Chris Wilson I now charge a surcharge for fuel pump work if I have to prat about amongst tons of ICE junk in the boot to gain access I don't blame you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now