Bad ground? Wire sorting? Alternator problems!

Tiny
KYLEHULBERG
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 212,000 MILES
So. It all started a few months ago. Was driving the car like normal and came to a stop and charge light and brake light came on simultaneously. Reved it up and went away until I let off gas again and then they returned till I started driving again. Paid a little more attention and notice that when I got head light on and push brakes it dims everything illuminated same as if I turned heater on! Kinda ignored it till one day car was idling for a while and just died. Had to jump it to get it started. Battery checked out fine. But alternator failed test. Replaced and when I started it charge light and brake light were both on. Shut car off and went to ttake alternator off but it was BURNING HOT! Got another alternator and put it in and seemed to work fine until today wen I was driving it the charge light and the brake light came on and it shut down on me or died after the battery was drawn. Charged it up for a while a couple hours later and it fired right up and drove it 20 miles without a problem! Got home and felt alternator and it was burning hot again. I expect it to be hot but not that hot. Idk what else to do. - And + terminals cleaned and tightened. Alternator connection cleaned. I'm stumped
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Tuesday, January 20th, 2015 AT 7:54 PM

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Tiny
TY ANDERSON
  • MECHANIC
  • 684 POSTS
Do you know how to use a voltmeter? What condition is the battery or how old is it?
I'm asking you these questions because it is valuable information and tools used to see (electrically) what is going on with your charging system.
Make sure the belt driving the alternator is tight (no too tight).
Sometimes if a battery is not holding enough charge it can overwork any alternator, new or old creating a lot of heat.
Thanks for the question.
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Tuesday, January 20th, 2015 AT 8:45 PM

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