In addition to the misfire code on my 97 Toy Avalon, I noticed a few months ago that the battery light is dimly lit when you have the key in the off position, and even when you take the key out, the battery light stays dimly lit. I never had any problems with the battery discharging overnight. Alternator is charging just fine. What could this mean???
Battery Light Lit with Keys Out???
- Thread starter parimento1
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Could be a poor ground or other electrical connection somewhere in the charging system.
Check the wires on the alternator, especially the field wire.
Check the wires on the alternator, especially the field wire.
um...which one is the field? The one that is just screwed in like on a post or the one with the snap on connector with the 3 "ports" on it? Could it be a short in the alternator itself?
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That is a tough call even as a mechanic I have never herd of any issue in the alternator itself that would cause the MIL to to stay light with the key out of the ignition. I would assume it is a bad ground some place or wireing issue but that was never my best area. I used to send odd ball electrical issues to a guy that only did electrical issues and he did them on all makes and models! In 10 minutes he could figure out what would take most dealership mechanics 6 hours!
So first check for TSB and coomon issues on various Toyota ower forums that is like free research!
So first check for TSB and coomon issues on various Toyota ower forums that is like free research!
sounds like the alternator to me we had that problem with a chrysler once in the shop and we replaced the alternator and all was fine
should I try unplugging the alt and see if the light goes out?
Unplug the Field wire (Thinner of the wires) first and see if it goes out. If it does then the problem may not be the alternator but the control that powers that wire.
If it doesn't then most likely it's the diode(s) in the alternator.
Disconnecting the big "Positive" (usually red) wire from the alternator will prove this.
If it doesn't then most likely it's the diode(s) in the alternator.
Disconnecting the big "Positive" (usually red) wire from the alternator will prove this.
on my car there are two sets of wires. One you have to screw on and it goes straight to the battery, it seems, like the pos. lead on a starter. The other one has three prongs on it and a wiring harness that plugs into it. I assume id disconnect the one that is not in a harness, but the one that you have to screw off I think it is the B+ terminal.
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http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h8.pdf
This is a really good file! I wonder if the CEL for the misfire code could be due to a bad ignition relay?? Therefore the igniter is getting an intermittent signal when firing??
"The driver may check for a faulty exciter-circuit by ensuring that the warning light is glowing with the engine stopped"
This is a really good file! I wonder if the CEL for the misfire code could be due to a bad ignition relay?? Therefore the igniter is getting an intermittent signal when firing??
"The driver may check for a faulty exciter-circuit by ensuring that the warning light is glowing with the engine stopped"
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Yeah disconnecting the terminal set of wires will disconnect the Field wire. The bigger wire that goes to the battery is the output wire from the Alternator. Disconnecting this will prove if one of your diodes is the problem. If it is the alternator needs replacement.
The only thing that will cause a partially/dimly lit charging light with the key out is a bad voltage regulator. Diodes won't do it. Bad diodes discharge the battery directly. As stated above, disconnect the plug with the small diameter wires from the alt/regulator and the light should go out. You might get by with just a new regulator vs a new alternator.
I will try that when I get home from work...The alternator is about 3 months old. What about the ignition relay, do u think that could cause a CEL to come on?
OK , I just pulled he plug and the battery light went off. Plugged it back in and the light went on. The alternator is under a lifetime warranty. I doubt that this will get rid of the CEL for the ignitor, however.
Originally Posted By: parimento1
I doubt that this will get rid of the CEL for the ignitor, however.
Oh, I can agree with that.
I doubt that this will get rid of the CEL for the ignitor, however.
Oh, I can agree with that.
Just a quick question to go along with this...if the voltage regulator is bad, why is the alternator still charging the battery well? ALSO I found out while I was poking around that my waterpump is leaking...
This car has really been a hassle as of late.
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Better now then in the dead of winter on a cold night with you on the side of the road waiting for a tow!
Could always be worse...
Could always be worse...
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