idiot lights and discharging problem

[manyodas88]

i have a 88 camry all-trac. all of a sudden the charge light and the brake warning light came on and within a half hour of driving with the lights and heater on the battery was drained. it does not discharge with the car off(overnight) thanks

[Brian R.]

Probably your alternator voltage regulator has died. Have your electrical system checked.

[manyodas88]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

Probably your alternator voltage regulator has died. Have your electrical system checked.

with a ammeter theseems to be no amps output at the "b" terminal in the fuse/relay box under the hood the charge fuse only reads.75 volts

[Mike Gerber]

manyodas88,

If you are using a DVM, then use it to check the battery voltage with the engine off. Just touch the 2 probes to the battery terminals. It should be around 12.25 volts. Then start the car and check the battery voltage again. With the car running, the reading should be around 14.0 - 14.6 volts if the alternator is functioning properly. If the alternator is not functioning properly and you are just getting battery voltage or less with the car running, check the alternator belt for slippage and check all the connections to and from the alternator and battery. If nothing is wrong there, then it's time for a new alternator. This is about a 15 minute job. A rebuilt alternator should run you about $140.

Mike

[Brian R.]

Sorry, I didn't expect you to troubleshoot it yourself. Mikes comments are correct.

[manyodas88]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

manyodas88,

If you are using a DVM, then use it to check the battery voltage with the engine off. Just touch the 2 probes to the battery terminals. It should be around 12.25 volts. Then start the car and check the battery voltage again. With the car running, the reading should be around 14.0 - 14.6 volts if the alternator is functioning properly. If the alternator is not functioning properly and you are just getting battery voltage or less with the car running, check the alternator belt for slippage and check all the connections to and from the alternator and battery. If nothing is wrong there, then it's time for a new alternator. This is about a 15 minute job. A rebuilt alternator should run you about $140.

Mike

thanks mike...while working on the car to remedy a fast idle problem in finding a broken vaccum line off of the bottom of the power steering pump. i had to wrestle the line up from below the intake and remember moving the wiring harness off to the side . i am wondering if mabe there is a couple of wires shorted together since the charge light and the brake warning light came on after this . also with the ignition on car not running all three terminals on the plug that plugs into the at read 12.25 v