1989 Toyota Van Repair Question
Mileage: No information provided.
Radiator, emergeny all lit
When I turn on the ignition switch, the Brake ,Charge and Radiator lights go on and stay on when the engine starts. The battery stays fully charged 14+ V , engine running and 12.8 volts stopped. The float switch in the overflow tank works and the emergency bake switch is working. The vehicle passed the California smog test, in a test only station within the past month. Perhaps you can help me?
Asked by EarlAnswer
With those types of issues, it sounds like there may be a ground problem. Have you checked for disconnected or broken body grounds? Electric is funny. If it loses its ground, it will find the next available one which could be by going through different circuits. In this case, it could be going through the inst. clutser causing the lights to stay on. That is where I would start checking.
Let me know what you find.
Joe
Thank you for answering.Are you talking about the ground cable to the engine?. Recently I installed a new extra ground cable from the battery to one of the starter bolts.now there are two.All the fuses check good. I have checked the fuses in the fusible link box.
PS I was getting help from someone in another country and he suggested that I replace the alternator first?.
Before replacing the alt, remove it and take it to a parts store and have them bench test.
Let me know what you find.
This what the other mechanic said
Replied on November 24, 2010
The alternator voltage regulator circuit for the charge indicator is bad. To rectify the problem you would have to replace the alternator.
Answered by KHLow2008 (expert)
Replied on November 25, 2010
In view of the above facts and that the battery stays fully charged please show why you say I need to replace the alternator. I'm sorry, I am losing faith in your advice.
Response from Earl
Replied on November 25, 2010
The voltae regulator has 2 functions.
Control the charging voltage and test done have confirmed that the charging rate is normal, meaning this function is good.
The second function is to turn the charge indicator off when engine is running and charging system has no faults. In your case, this system is faulty whereby it is not turning the charge indicator off.
You wanted to rectify this problem so you have to replced the alternator.
I have a suggestion for you. Post a fresh question on this problem and let other experts have their view on it.
Answe
Earl:
I'm not sure where all the replies are coming from. I only see the one I sent. We have updated our webpage and it could be causing a problem.
As far as the light, have you had the alt checked?
I took it out and had it tested yesterday- they replaced it under waranty and I will install it today - will let you know.
Installed the rebuilt alternator. When I turned the ignition on I got the same results e.g. BRAKE < CHARGE RADIATOR. The battery is new and fully charged
This condition started out of the blue- I went out ,turned the igntion on and got this result. I took the watertank out and checked the switch inside and it is good. However when I pull the emergency brake up, the Brake light on the dash gets a little brighter- almost like there are two circuits affected.
Thanks for your help.
Have you checked body grounds and the main ground from the battery to the engine block?
I have installed a second ground from the battery to the starter bolt- I did this sometime ago and have polished both ends recently.