Lose wire or alternator on the way out?

[vex]

So I've been contemplating this event that transpired on my way to the shop to get a custom exhaust welded up.

I had just charged and put in the cars battery since I had removed it. I started the car and started driving. While underway I noticed that the battery gauge was indicating that it was draining and not charging, so I think "Crap, my alternator is on the way out." But when I go around a corner a little faster than a normal person goes in a toyota, the charging system kicks into life and begins charging the battery from it's near death location of 8v. It's charging all the way up to an awesome 14volts but drops down a little bit when the fan kicks on.

It stays charging until I begin to pull into the shop and I notice again that my battery charge level is falling. I pull in with a little under 12v on the battery after a trip of around 40 miles.

Is the general consensus that I have an alternator about to crap out on me, or that I have a loose connection somewhere that I need to remedy?

[classicauto]

I would guess connection because generally speaking, when an alternator fails or a regulator fails it shits the bed entirely and doesn't come back to life suddenly under some random condition.

[My5ABaby]

I think the problem is that you own a Toyota...

I agree with classic though.

[vex]

Originally Posted by My5ABaby

I think the problem is that you own a Toyota...

I agree with classic though.

I think you misunderstand. I own a Toyota for DD'ing, but I posted this in the 2nd Gen thread because the issue is on the FC

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by vex

I think you misunderstand. I own a Toyota for DD'ing, but I posted this in the 2nd Gen thread because the issue is on the FC

But when I go around a corner a little faster than a normal person goes in a toyota, the charging system kicks into life and begins charging the battery from it's near death location of 8v

You're confusing. I still assert the problem is that you own a Toyota...

[vex]

Originally Posted by My5ABaby

You're confusing. I still assert the problem is that you own a Toyota...

You've never heard of a metaphor?

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by vex

You've never heard of a metaphor?

Nope, never. At least not one so randomly placed.

[Phoenix7]

your voltage regulator? Or the wire that goes from the battery to the alternator (post b?? i can't remember) is loose or old:



My wire was toasted and no longer working properly...I went through 4 voltage regulators before I bypassed it altogether. I ran a new wire from the B post to the battery and never had another problem.

can you see the new wire I ran to the batt?

[vex]

Originally Posted by My5ABaby

Nope, never. At least not one so randomly placed.

Touche

Originally Posted by Phoenix7

your voltage regulator? Or the wire that goes from the battery to the alternator (post b?? i can't remember) is loose or old:



My wire was toasted and no longer working properly...I went through 4 voltage regulators before I bypassed it altogether. I ran a new wire from the B post to the battery and never had another problem.

can you see the new wire I ran to the batt?

Yeah, I see it. Okay. I'll double check that when I pick up the car today.

[Phoenix7]

try it out...I replaced that cracked B post and replaced the voltage regulator before installing the new wire...you might need to check your VR to make sure it's still good.

[vex]

Well I checked the B-post, and the wires going to and from it, and they're all still rock solid. I'm fairly confident that the issue is with a loose wire or connection somewhere, but I just didn't have the time to track it down on Friday. I ended up leaving it at the shop where I was getting the exhaust worked on and told them to track it down for me. We'll see what happens. If it comes down to replacing the alternator, I'll just have them rebuild and install the FD one I have hanging around.

[vex]

Update: Turns out the alternator was bad. Mechanic actually was able to get the alternator on warranty from the place of purchase so out of pocket expense is nill.

I still need to order the parts for the FD alternator and rebuild it. Should prove fun.

As a side note, what is the possibility of having two alternators going bad in two different cars within the same week (ie not even 24 hours apart). Turns out the alternator on the Toyota went out as well. Talk about super bad timing.

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by vex

Update: Turns out the alternator was bad. Mechanic actually was able to get the alternator on warranty from the place of purchase so out of pocket expense is nill.

I still need to order the parts for the FD alternator and rebuild it. Should prove fun.

As a side note, what is the possibility of having two alternators going bad in two different cars within the same week (ie not even 24 hours apart). Turns out the alternator on the Toyota went out as well. Talk about super bad timing.

I've had 2 die on my 7 in the same week.

[vex]

So I went outside today to check and top off fluids and I spotted something a little off in the engine bay:



I shot the mechanic a PM about what he wants to do about it as it's charging fine, but it seems to be fairly sever. We'll see how it all comes out.

[My5ABaby]

Did someone drop it?