Flickering Alt light

Flickering Alt light

Postby johnnyt on Fri, 15 Sep 2017 1:20 +0000

Hey Guys, before I start checking every aftermarket connection and ground in the vehicle I was wondering if anyone has experienced this.

The Alt is new and charging at 14+v all the time based on a dual volt meter I have installed in the cab, but when im cruising along and lift off the throttle at low revs the alt light will flicker every now and then at sub 1500rpm.

When this flickering is happening the volt meter is still reading over 14v at the start and aux battery.

Anyone experienced this?
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Re: Flickering Alt light

Postby wombat81 on Tue, 13 Mar 2018 4:54 +0000

Hi Johnny. I'm having something similar but I'm getting other symptoms too. Did you find the cause of your issue?
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Re: Flickering Alt light

Postby DeadlyBeast on Tue, 13 Mar 2018 5:43 +0000

Have a look here and let us know how you go
http://www.newhilux.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=29213
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Re: Flickering Alt light

Postby wombat81 on Tue, 13 Mar 2018 6:43 +0000

DeadlyBeast wrote:Have a look here and let us know how you go
http://www.newhilux.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=29213


Thanks mate. I've checked where there alternator cable comes into the fuse box and that's not the issue. I've checked the where the cable connects to the alternator too. My alternator output seems low at cold idle (12.1-12.4v via the ECU). My Redarc solenoid used to close soon after I started the engine, but since the battery light flickering started, the solenoid won't close until I start revving the engine. Normal driving the alternator is outputting 13.6-14.3v at the ECU, which is normal (I have one of Bansheebuzzs upgraded/rebuilt alternators less than 2 years old). At hot idle it seems OK too (13-13.6v at the ECU). My battery isn't old, but maybe I should get it checked? It has been to Cape York and Fraser in the last 12 months...
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Re: Flickering Alt light

Postby DeadlyBeast on Wed, 14 Mar 2018 6:27 +0000

Always worth routinely testing the battery though never heard of a flat battery causing alt batt flicker.
May be a loose or corroded connection somewhere but I see you have had some heavy rains over there too?
Bansheebuzz will most likely be able to list the most common causes. Havent seen him post here lately though.
Are you able to contact him?
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Re: Flickering Alt light

Postby wombat81 on Wed, 14 Mar 2018 7:03 +0000

DeadlyBeast wrote:Always worth routinely testing the battery though never heard of a flat battery causing alt batt flicker.
May be a loose or corroded connection somewhere but I see you have had some heavy rains over there too?
Bansheebuzz will most likely be able to list the most common causes. Havent seen him post here lately though.
Are you able to contact him?


Thanks mate. I'll do some more problem solving before I ring bansheebuzz. Hes a busy man. But I think i'll get my alternator and battery checked first and go from there.
Current: 2021 SR Dual Cab Chassis 4x4 2.8TD Manual
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Re: Flickering Alt light

Postby wombat81 on Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:43 +0000

Just an update on my issue. The battery light flickered on and off for weeks, but the alternator was still outputting plenty of voltage (13.8v+) but in the last few days the alternator has started to fail completely. It now puts out between 11.8 and 12.8v and the battery light is constantly lit. So it seems to me like the flickering light is an early warning that the alternator is beginning to fail, even if the voltages are correct.

I'll give Bansheebuzz a call tomorrow for a replacement.
Current: 2021 SR Dual Cab Chassis 4x4 2.8TD Manual
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Re: Flickering Alt light

Postby wombat81 on Mon, 02 Apr 2018 11:43 +0000

Just an update on my issue. The battery light flickered on and off for weeks, but the alternator was still outputting plenty of voltage (13.8v+) but in the last few days the alternator has started to fail completely. It now puts out between 11.8 and 12.8v and the battery light is constantly lit. So it seems to me like the flickering light can be an early warning that the alternator is beginning to fail, even if the voltages are correct.

I'll give Bansheebuzz a call tomorrow for a replacement.

Edit: Bansheebuzz is snowed under at the moment and doesn't have any upgraded kun26 alternators in stock. So he won't be able to supply me an alternator for a few weeks. So I went to see my local autoelectrician instead. He's a family friend and a good bloke. Knows his stuff and loves his Toyotas. Anyway, he advised me not to buy a genuine replacement alternator. Firstly they are very expensive at over $700 and in his experience they aren't particularly reliable. They also have the low output voltage issue which is well documented. Anyway, he sold me an aftermarket alternator instead. I'm usually not a big fan of non-genuine parts but he was adamant it's the way to go. He also said to avoid the alternators with the larger output that are available as the fusible link would need to be upgraded and it's not worth the mucking around doing that. Anyway, I bolted it in today and surprisingly it's pumping out 14+ volts at idle which is something even the upgraded factory alternator with the solid pulley never did. I would need to have the revs up to push the old one over 14v. So the output appears to be good. I guess the real test will be longevity, but it can't be much worse than OEM, and at half the price. So if anyone is interested, this is the brand and model.

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Current: 2021 SR Dual Cab Chassis 4x4 2.8TD Manual
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Re: Flickering Alt light

Postby Shonky on Tue, 22 Oct 2019 9:53 +0000

Bud had something like that turned our that the wires from the turbo and alternator that come around the front of the engine rubb through and cause a short to ground
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