i have all three idiot lights on my dash. i beilieve they are all related because when the little capacitor looking thing on the back of the alternator the problem was intermittent. now that the wire broken completely off and it is unrepairable, i have all three lights on the dash. I believe this is because these systems aren't seeing 12 v correctly. My Problem is i cant find another do hicky to replace the broken one can someone lease enlighten me as to what the peice is. toyota part number, or where i can buy a new/ used working one.
triple threat - ebarke light tail light failure lamp and charge light
- Thread starter kayledao
- Start date
That little capacitor looking thing (if I'm getting what you're saying properly) is part of the voltage regulator for the alternator. You have 2 options. New alternator or repair the current one. To repair your current one you'd want to hunt down a local alternator repair shop as just the regulator from Toyota is more than most auto parts stores charge for a whole new/reman alternator (not many still exist as they're almost throw away parts now).
That little capacitor looking thing is the condenser, and is used for noise suppression on pre-89 alternators. Failure of that part will not cause the warning lights illuminate. It may however cause a little alternator whine to come through the speakers on cheap or older stereos.
That said mkiii222 is probably right, about that alternator. Those lights being on is a pretty good indication that your IC regulator is shot. Replacement typically costs more than a complete remanufactured alternator from one of the parts houses. However remanufactured alternators are just that, and sometimes you don't get the best one, the quality can be questionable. Your choice.
Before you go by a new one I would check all the connectors and wiring on the back of the alternator that it is connected and in serviceable condition, the condenser not included. Check the 15A ENG fuse located in the driver side kick panel.
That said mkiii222 is probably right, about that alternator. Those lights being on is a pretty good indication that your IC regulator is shot. Replacement typically costs more than a complete remanufactured alternator from one of the parts houses. However remanufactured alternators are just that, and sometimes you don't get the best one, the quality can be questionable. Your choice.
Before you go by a new one I would check all the connectors and wiring on the back of the alternator that it is connected and in serviceable condition, the condenser not included. Check the 15A ENG fuse located in the driver side kick panel.
Well I think the NOiSE from the alternator is screwing with ecu electronics I have no radio to test for the alternator to whine thru. The part I don't understand is that when the noise filter, capacitor, whatever was still somewhat connected I had no dash lights with it disconnected all three lights. I want to buy just the filter capacitor. I believe that it is needed to have my car function correctly. I have tried re ground the alternator worked for a moment . I believe that without that peice the alternator is putting out a very dirty signal. It's an oem alternator and when I check the voltage on it puts out enought power to charge the battery. Also I have checked the ebrake circuit and its fine. Also replaced every bulb in the exterior I the car and checked the the tail light failure box in the hatch an it's good. So the only thing that is different it the filter. Which I can't find anywhere. Oh and my entire harness engine, body, dash have all been completely rewired and triple checked before it went in the car. Does anybody have and is willing to sell me the capacitor noise filter for the alternator. Or know what it is exactly some I can try to replace it .
Crack me up. When not competent in something I recommend an approach other than making stuff up then believing it to be true.
Test alternator - test battery - test wiring in the charging circuit. In that order.
I'm sure JetJock will be by in a moment with a scathing comment about why I'm wrong
I just hope he adds *how* I'm wrong - because I have the same issue (minus the "capacitor" thingy) and it's taken a back seat to fixing holes in the body of my car.
I'm sure JetJock will be by in a moment with a scathing comment about why I'm wrong
I just hope he adds *how* I'm wrong - because I have the same issue (minus the "capacitor" thingy) and it's taken a back seat to fixing holes in the body of my car.After seeing that its called the condenser. a condenser is part of the voltage regulator. And without the voltage regulator working properly the alternator shouldnt function . Could this be causing a fluctuation in the voltage along with noise on the line and causing the problems I am having
Sigh....
No. And the condenser is not part of the voltage regulator, it is a separate component, and not critical to the functional operation of the voltage regulator. It's intended to assist a system other than the charging system. And since you don't have a radio, you're not even worried about that system. Your issue is with the charging system. When inspecting and troubleshooting the operation of the charging system, nowhere does the TSRM mention the condenser. And considering if your profile is correct and you have a 91 MKIII, you shouldn't even have a condenser.
Here is the charging system for the 87 MKIII, (the one that does have a condenser).
http://www.turboninjas.com/mk3supra/1987/09-ChargingSystem.pdf
Nowhere does it talk about the condiencer, and neither does it in the 91 TSRM.
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=CH&P=1
The codenser is such an irrelivent part of the charging system that they simply do not mention it.
Even in the article that Toyota wrote for their technicians, to teach them the fundamentals and working theory of the charging system. They DO NOT mention it. The alternator produces voltage though a three phase diode rectifier which produces a minimal ripple factor. Noise is absolutely minimal and not an issue for the ECU so long as all the diodes in the rectifier are good and the battery is strong.
Here is a good explanation of the charging circuit and even diagrams of what you would see if you scoped the alternator.
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h8.pdf
The only place that I could find a mention of condencers is a brief explanation of what they do, located on page 2 of this articale.
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h3.pdf
Take the time to read the links I directed you to so you can understand and properly troubleshoot the system, instead of just throwing parts at it hoping it fixes it, which a condenser won't.
Now where did I leave that pie?
No. And the condenser is not part of the voltage regulator, it is a separate component, and not critical to the functional operation of the voltage regulator. It's intended to assist a system other than the charging system. And since you don't have a radio, you're not even worried about that system. Your issue is with the charging system. When inspecting and troubleshooting the operation of the charging system, nowhere does the TSRM mention the condenser. And considering if your profile is correct and you have a 91 MKIII, you shouldn't even have a condenser.
Here is the charging system for the 87 MKIII, (the one that does have a condenser).
http://www.turboninjas.com/mk3supra/1987/09-ChargingSystem.pdf
Nowhere does it talk about the condiencer, and neither does it in the 91 TSRM.
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?S=CH&P=1
The codenser is such an irrelivent part of the charging system that they simply do not mention it.
Even in the article that Toyota wrote for their technicians, to teach them the fundamentals and working theory of the charging system. They DO NOT mention it. The alternator produces voltage though a three phase diode rectifier which produces a minimal ripple factor. Noise is absolutely minimal and not an issue for the ECU so long as all the diodes in the rectifier are good and the battery is strong.
Here is a good explanation of the charging circuit and even diagrams of what you would see if you scoped the alternator.
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h8.pdf
The only place that I could find a mention of condencers is a brief explanation of what they do, located on page 2 of this articale.
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h3.pdf
Take the time to read the links I directed you to so you can understand and properly troubleshoot the system, instead of just throwing parts at it hoping it fixes it, which a condenser won't.
Now where did I leave that pie?
Mmmm....pie
No scathing comment here. You're on the right track. Not perfect but a whole lot better than the OP. At least you're not over the top Dunning Kruger...
80083r;1949714 said:I'm sure JetJock will be by in a moment with a scathing comment about why I'm wrong
No scathing comment here. You're on the right track. Not perfect but a whole lot better than the OP. At least you're not over the top Dunning Kruger...
Any tips on tracking it down if it's intermittent? Or does that point to something specific?
I have an idea that it's a loose connection, almost broken wire, or corroded ground - but I'll admit that I have difficulty relating wiring diagrams to physical layouts, so it's an uphill struggle for me to actually troubleshoot electrical systems.
I'm the other end of Dunning Kruger, mostly - I'm often too cautious in stating what I know. But sometimes I'm just an idiot.
I have an idea that it's a loose connection, almost broken wire, or corroded ground - but I'll admit that I have difficulty relating wiring diagrams to physical layouts, so it's an uphill struggle for me to actually troubleshoot electrical systems.
I'm the other end of Dunning Kruger, mostly - I'm often too cautious in stating what I know. But sometimes I'm just an idiot.
If one doesn't have the tools or money to buy said tools to diagnose... Take the part off and have it tested. Auto parts stores do it for free (I should know, I work at one).
So after retesting the alternator. I can to find out that the brushes and ic regulator were toast. Replaced them and all my idiot lights have gone away. Thanks for all the info. First time in years I have no Christmas lights on the dash.
kayledao;1951590 said:
Thanks for getting back to us on this. A Lot of times people will never comeback and post the solution for the benefit of others, kudos to you.