84 toyota pickup-starting/electrical problems

Hey y'all. I've run into a snag, and figured there's some folks around here that can help me out. I have an '84 Toyota pickup with the trusty 22R engine. My alternator went out, so I bought a replacement. I put the new alternator in, got everything back together, and then nothing. I turn the key, and just the "charge" light comes on. My headlights and hazard lights work, and that's it. My battery is good and charged up. I found one fusible link open(60 amp in fusebox behind the battery), but I did a quick fix to get continuity. All other fuses are fine. I've checked numerous wires and connections, as well as using my meter to make different checks. I'm a bit suspicious of the voltage regulator, but I'm not sure. I'm kind of at a loss at this point, as I'm not really sure what else to check. Or, I'm thinking one of you would know the best starting place, as I'm going to have to go back through and figure it out until it's fixed. I don't know if something shorted out or burned up when I put in the new alternator. But it went from working fine one minute, to being close to dead the next. Pretty simply procedure, like all the other Toyotas I've worked on. Truck has 155.000 miles on it, and that's nothing for this rig, as it runs like a champ...until now. So, please help me out if you can. Any advice anyone can give me at this point would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Electraglide71

Recheck all fuses and fuseable links, including the one you already replaced. Sounds like your not getting 12V to the ign sw.

As long as the batt is charged you should be able to crank the motor, even with a faulty alt or Vreg (assuming no other problems).

Recheck all fuses and fuseable links, including the one you already replaced. Sounds like your not getting 12V to the ign sw.

As long as the batt is charged you should be able to crank the motor, even with a faulty alt or Vreg (assuming no other problems).


Hey Fourwd1, I appreciate you answering. Yesterday morning, I went back and started double and triple checking everything, doing continuity and voltage checks from the battery out. Sure enough, one fusible link, that was visibly good, and one I actually got continuity from, was actually bad. So, anyone else that might read this, best way to test the fuses are with a meter, and it doesn't hurt to try a spare or two, just in case. Thanks again.

can someone please help me.
i have a1989 toyota p/u 4 wheel drive with a 2.4 liter 22re engine.Ihave an electrical problem with my p/u. when u turn the key to start the engine the engine starts but stops running within 3 sec. I have changed the distributor, fuel filter,ecm. This one has stumped me.can anyone help me please

can someone please help me.
i have a1989 toyota p/u 4 wheel drive with a 2.4 liter 22re engine.Ihave an electrical problem with my p/u. when u turn the key to start the engine the engine starts but stops running within 3 sec. I have changed the distributor, fuel filter,ecm. This one has stumped me.can anyone help me please


Hey there. I'm guessing that this engine is the fuel-injected 22R? I would start by checking connections and wires to the alternator and coil. Check to see if any fuel or engine fuses are blown. You changed the distributor, and I'm guessing rotor as well. Do you know if the timing is right? Also, don't rule out that even though you changed the fuel filter, that the injectors might still be dirty. Make sure it's getting gas. I had an older Toyota pickup where the fast idle was shorting out, causing the truck to stop running just like yours. Try and rule out any more of the obvious. Can you keep the truck running if you keep your foot on the gas, or does it die no matter what you do? But, i would check connections first, and see if there's a way to clean your injectors and check for fuel flow. One thing I've learned, is that american-made fuel filters don't work as well on Toyotas, as Toyota built these to run better on very refined gas. That's why I've always put an auxillary or secondary filter on my trucks as well as having the existing one. And of the four Toyota trucks I've had, I've never had one problem in this area. Hopefully someone else will respond, and think of or know something I might've forgotten. good luck and stay in touch if you need to.

When you turn the key to the ignition position, the fuel pump runs for a few seconds to pressurize the fuel system. Your ignition switch might be cutting power off to your ignition system or fuel pump when it is returned to the run position after starting. Try starting it and softly returning the key to the run position or wiggling it slightly back and forth mostly toward the crank position. If this doesn't give you the answer, another thing to try is once you get it running, have someone hit it with starting fluid near the end of your "3 second" run and see if it will keep running. If so, it is a quick confirmation of good ignition and no fuel supply, or if it dies, it is confirmation of no spark. This will point you the direction you need to go. Good luck!

When you turn the key to the ignition position, the fuel pump runs for a few seconds to pressurize the fuel system. Your ignition switch might be cutting power off to your ignition system or fuel pump when it is returned to the run position after starting. Try starting it and softly returning the key to the run position or wiggling it slightly back and forth mostly toward the crank position. If this doesn't give you the answer, another thing to try is once you get it running, have someone hit it with starting fluid near the end of your "3 second" run and see if it will keep running. If so, it is a quick confirmation of good ignition and no fuel supply, or if it dies, it is confirmation of no spark. This will point you the direction you need to go. Good luck!


Thanks folks. Got her running just fine, and was something all too simple. Now, gonna post another question some of y'all might be more familiar with than me.

i had the same proiblem with my 82 it could be your cord going to your alternator from your battery is bad or the cord going from your battery to your starter

i got a 1991 toyota pick up. the 2 battery terminals touched the hood, melting my ground wire along with the fusable link and a couple of other fuses. i replaced them. my truck starts but the battery is not getting charge, i tested my alternator and it was putting out 16 volts. please advice thanks

i got a 1991 toyota pick up. the 2 battery terminals touched the hood, melting my ground wire along with the fusable link and a couple of other fuses. i replaced them. my truck starts but the battery is not getting charge, i tested my alternator and it was putting out 16 volts. please advice thanks

First of all, your post and problem would have been a lot easier to follow if you hadn't hijacked an irrelevant, out of date thread. I wasted time trying to help you by looking up the wrong year for your vehicle because the title of the thread said '84. Title of thread implies starting problems. You are not having starting problems with an '84. It is ok to make your own thread, it is really preferable so that information about someone else's problem won't be confused with yours.

Read the following link. The output of your alternator is too high. Use a test light to check both sides of the fuses to make sure they have continuity.

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/charging/2onvehicl.pdf