Alternator going bad in '91 Toy?

Boone · #1 (**permalink**) 01-20-2003, 12:26 PM

Need some help folks...
I have a 1991 Toy 4x4 V6 with 212K miles. Started her up this morning and the battery and brake dummy lights came/stayed on. I revved it up and the lights went out. Back at idle, they came on again. After driving down the road, they (dummy lights) went off again but I noticed that my dash lights were dim and my voltage guage was around 9. After about 5 minutes of driving my dash lights became bright and the fan kicked in like it wasn't even on in the first place. The voltage guage was in the normal area as well. The dummy lights never came back on. Fan belts were not squealing either. I'm thinking it's the Alternator, thoughts? This happened before and when I took it to shucks, they did a test and they said the system was fine

Is the alternator easy to replace in the '91 Toy? Thanks - Dan

Nmerced · #2 (**permalink**) 01-20-2003, 01:11 PM

Check the belts again. There are instances where the belt can be loose but not squeal. If this is not the case, you may have a bad alternator or voltage regulator.

Good Luck.

Bert

HotRod8 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-20-2003, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Is the alternator easy to replace in the '91 Toy?

Yes, I had an '89, I think they're pretty much the same. Just remove the air filter box and ducting right up to the throttle body. This will give you lots of room to get at the alternator. You might want to try just replacing the brushes on your old one before you replace the entire alternator though.

Boone · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2003, 09:57 AM

Thanks guys. Of course it didn't happen this morning and all was ok. I'm going to take a look at it this weekend. I'll keep you posted.

KLS · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2003, 01:29 PM

$130 for a new Bosch replacement alternator
http://www.nobleforeign.com/

Keep checking, you might do better.

Ken

toy4x4boy · #6 (**permalink**) 01-23-2003, 06:57 PM

Boone,

It sounds exactly like the alternator. Try replacing the brushes, most likely the problem. Also, you may want to try posting on http://66.216.68.23/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum;f=11 great BBS there for our older trucks.

Boone · #7 (**permalink**) 01-27-2003, 11:34 AM

I replaced the alternator this weekend without any problems. Everything is running back to normal. Anyway, thank you everyone for your advice and help. I'm not mechanically inclined so doing this was a HUGE accomplishment for me. A friend came over to help and he said the next project is the clutch

He's done all that stuff so he'll take the lead on that project. Thanks again guys.

UR Buddy · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 08:48 AM

Is it common with 91 Toyota's that the brake light appears with the charge light when the alternator goes bad

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boone

Need some help folks...
I have a 1991 Toy 4x4 V6 with 212K miles. Started her up this morning and the battery and brake dummy lights came/stayed on. I revved it up and the lights went out. Back at idle, they came on again. After driving down the road, they (dummy lights) went off again but I noticed that my dash lights were dim and my voltage guage was around 9. After about 5 minutes of driving my dash lights became bright and the fan kicked in like it wasn't even on in the first place. The voltage guage was in the normal area as well. The dummy lights never came back on. Fan belts were not squealing either. I'm thinking it's the Alternator, thoughts? This happened before and when I took it to shucks, they did a test and they said the system was fine

Is the alternator easy to replace in the '91 Toy? Thanks - Dan