Charging issues
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This area is dedicated to technical discussions concerning SW20's. Please try to spell correctly because this will help people find information later if they are using search functionality. If you need assistance with your car and want to host a spanner day, please use the appropriate section of the forum: http://mr2.org.nz/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=35 Thank you.
This area is dedicated to technical discussions concerning SW20's. Please try to spell correctly because this will help people find information later if they are using search functionality. If you need assistance with your car and want to host a spanner day, please use the appropriate section of the forum: http://mr2.org.nz/phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=35 Thank you.
- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
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- Stomping Ground: Hawkes Bay
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Keith
Charging issues
Hey guys, I am in the middle of fixing my NA 90 and the three lights are on for the alternator. Check at the battery and it's 12.4v, check at the fuse box in engine bay and it's 12.4v. if I rev car up by hand (no idea what rpm) it goes to around 14-14.5v. I have replaced the alternator belt and made no difference. I have noticed the voltmeter on dash sits at a whopping 4v but I know it's shot. I want to know two things, 1 is voltmeter tied into charging system and 2, does anyone have any ideas.
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:23 pm
- Stomping Ground: Hawkes Bay
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Keith
Re: Charging issues
I have to add, car is deregistered so hasn't been on road for a long time. And I have checked all fuses etc.
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 5740
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:13 pm
- Stomping Ground: Wellington
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Phill
Re: Charging issues
Normally 3 lights means a bad alternator. The voltage in the system drops below the allowable level for the 3 systems to work properly.
But with the 14.7V measured means it's working.
Yes the volt meter is tied to the system. Everything is tied to the system.
But with the 14.7V measured means it's working.
Yes the volt meter is tied to the system. Everything is tied to the system.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
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2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
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- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:23 pm
- Stomping Ground: Hawkes Bay
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Keith
Re: Charging issues
So if the three lights are on, and i can get 14v does that mean there is an issue within the alternator? ie regulator?
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:23 pm
- Stomping Ground: Hawkes Bay
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Keith
Re: Charging issues
Is there anything i can do to get the voltmeter going? or just ignore it haha
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 5740
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:13 pm
- Stomping Ground: Wellington
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Phill
Re: Charging issues
I can't give a definite answer to that one. If it's reading the correct voltage, which it should also do at idle then it's odd you have these lights. Normally the 3 lights only come on with a dodgy alternator. Maybe a bad battery however I have a bad battery right now that won't charge or hold charge and when I jump start the car everything works fine.
The volt meter doesn't really tell you much. It's either sitting horizontal when not charging or half way between there and 18V when working properly. If you are having issues the 3 lights will go on anyway.
The volt meter doesn't really tell you much. It's either sitting horizontal when not charging or half way between there and 18V when working properly. If you are having issues the 3 lights will go on anyway.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
- simonaszakra
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
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- Stomping Ground: Mid Canterbury
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- First name: Simon
Re: Charging issues
My money is on earthing issue/bad wire somewhere causing a voltage drop/at low currents just not really pushing the power through well.
I had a similar issue in not a toyota recently all i did was check and fiddle with every connection to the alt battery etc and problem solved.
I had a similar issue in not a toyota recently all i did was check and fiddle with every connection to the alt battery etc and problem solved.
when one isn't enough buy 10
84 AW11 manual 16v smallport redtop
84 AW11 manual 16v redtop (Trackcar)
87 AW11 auto supercharger
86 AW11 manual mossy but to be saved
84 AW11 sneaky boi low numbers car
85 AW11 auto low kms
85 AW11 hopefully not a parts car
86 AW11 nz new sadly a parts car
84 AW11 parts car
93 SW20 GTS
84 AW11 manual 16v smallport redtop
84 AW11 manual 16v redtop (Trackcar)
87 AW11 auto supercharger
86 AW11 manual mossy but to be saved
84 AW11 sneaky boi low numbers car
85 AW11 auto low kms
85 AW11 hopefully not a parts car
86 AW11 nz new sadly a parts car
84 AW11 parts car
93 SW20 GTS
- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:23 pm
- Stomping Ground: Hawkes Bay
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Keith
Re: Charging issues
Well i spoke to an auto electrician today, he said it appears i popped a diode. Now to get the damn thing out of the car and off to the shop.
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 5740
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:13 pm
- Stomping Ground: Wellington
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Phill
Re: Charging issues
You can probably pull it out the top if it's a manual car. I have a write up I have been putting together that I can send you. I just haven't got a round to posting it up with photos.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
- Crawls
- Executive Officer - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2017 10:23 pm
- Stomping Ground: Hawkes Bay
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Keith
Re: Charging issues
Anyone have any ideas?
Keith "Crawls" Crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
Membership Officer & Hawkes Bay Area Coordinator
90 SW20 n/a (Repairing)
18 Fortuner (Current)
92 SW20 (Current)
https://www.instagram.com/keith_crawley
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 5740
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:13 pm
- Stomping Ground: Wellington
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Phill
Re: Charging issues
Auto or manual car?
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
- tw2
- Area Coordinator - MR2OCNZ
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- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:32 am
- Stomping Ground: Waikato
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Thomas
Re: Charging issues
You can get it out by undoing alternator, it will sit on the crossmember, then take the huge bracket off and it will come out the top. I replaced the bracket with a racerX one so I wouldn't have this problem ever again.
Thomas, 91 G, 05 E55
Area Coordinator Waikato
Area Coordinator Waikato
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 5740
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:13 pm
- Stomping Ground: Wellington
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Phill
Re: Charging issues
If your car is turbo, good luck getting the bracket off without taking the axle out of the gearbox. Not that this car is turbo but it is auto with a big alternator.tw2 wrote:You can get it out by undoing alternator, it will sit on the crossmember, then take the huge bracket off and it will come out the top. I replaced the bracket with a racerX one so I wouldn't have this problem ever again.
Dropping the subframe is easier than trying to take off the bracket.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
- Benckj
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
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- First name: Jim
Re: Charging issues
Having just done this myself I disagree. Bracket removal isn't that hard and often alternator will then come out from top. Depending on your exhaust configuration & rear sway bar removal the lower subframe can be quite difficult.
Jim Benck
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
90 rev 1 parts car
98 rev 5 GT- all the mods
- GDII
- Forum Moderator - MR2OCNZ
- Posts: 5740
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:13 pm
- Stomping Ground: Wellington
- Prime Mover: SW20
- First name: Phill
Re: Charging issues
I tried to remove the bracket on an engine outside the car with the axle still in place. Was not able to access a bolt behind the carrier bearing bracket.Benckj wrote:Having just done this myself I disagree. Bracket removal isn't that hard and often alternator will then come out from top. Depending on your exhaust configuration & rear sway bar removal the lower subframe can be quite difficult.
Maybe I have bad memory but it was on the weekend of Nationals.
Removing the subframe is 9 bolts. Enough to get it to drop down. 2 more bolts and 2 nuts to get the swaybar to come loose so the exhaust isn't clamped by it.
1990 SW20 MR2 G-Limited (GEN4 3SGTE Installed)
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/
2000 AE111R Corolla Wagon NZ New Daily
1996 AE101R Corolla Sprint NZ New Selling Soon
1990 EP81 Starlet XL (Sold)
1990 EE90 Corolla XL (Sold)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sw20glimited/