Dash warning lights are on after river crossing in 80 series cruiser
Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 16:23
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82279
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Tubby_6
Hi all, hoping someone may be able to help me out on this one. Both my 96' and my brothers 91' turbo diesel 80 series cruisers had the dash lights come on after a
river crossing on the weekend. I know it's got
water in the electric's but I need too know
where to start looking. I'm not getting any charge to my batteries, timing belt, injector,hand brake and a couple of other lights are on. Having it happen to 2 of the same vehicles at the same time leads me to think this may be a common problem with the 80 series.
Reply By: Member - David Will (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 16:57
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 16:57
Hi Tubby_6
Check the Alternater this will be the problem, i have had to rebuld
mine 2 times in 450000km. the pick up alot of crap mud
water as they are on the bottom of motor.
I have 1993 1hz, common problem with them.
Hope this helps.
David
AnswerID:
434988
Follow Up By: Tubby_6 - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:12
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:12
David,
I thought it was either the alternator or a plug somewhere. We did go though a fair bit of sloppy mud as
well. I'll have to give it a good wash from underneath before i can tackle the alternator. I wasn't sure if it was
water that caused the problem so been hesitant on wetting under the bonnet yet. Thanks for your advice.
FollowupID:
706078
Follow Up By: get outmore - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:19
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:19
x2 except to add as soon as your dash lights come on pull up IMMEDIATLY and check your fan belts as the same thing happens when you throw a belt often the thrown one will take out the good one and it runs the
water pump as
well which can
cook your motor in almost no time
something to remmber just in case
FollowupID:
706081
Reply By: Time - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:20
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:20
Remove the square plug from the back of the alternator, clean out all the "crud" you will find in it, spray with WD40 and hopefully that is your only problem.
You should also have a look at the eyelet connection on the alternator from the battery, this can get corroded, give it a good clean (sand paper any rust off) as
well.
AnswerID:
434990
Follow Up By: Tubby_6 - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:38
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:38
Just about to give it a good wash. Just stuck my head under there and it's a scary sight. Everything gets cover in mud! Once it dries off a bit i'll have a look at the plug first and then the cable lug. I want to eliminate one at a time so i can pin point the fault for future knowledge and possibly finding a means of preventing it from happening again.
Thanks,
Tubby
FollowupID:
706084
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:47
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 17:47
Probably staying aout of mud and
water will cure the problem LOL
FollowupID:
706086
Follow Up By: Member - Russnic [NZ] - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 18:49
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 18:49
I would support that.
Better still if conditions might be wet and muddy spray all electronics with products like WD40 before hand.
Usually most electronics dry out with engine heat under the hood anyway.
FollowupID:
706091
Reply By: Muntoo - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 19:11
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 19:11
Had the same thing happen on a drive few of us felllas went on, 2 troop carriers suffered the same problem. From playing in dirty
water, both alternators had to be replaced. Check everything on alternator and give a good cleanout with WD40 and
water and then some contact cleaner.
AnswerID:
435005
Reply By: Member - Wayne B (NSW) - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 19:31
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 19:31
It will be the main plug at the rear of the alternator.
Remove it spray with CRC and gently close the terminals with a long nose pair of pliers. Refit plug to alternator
Cheers
Wayne B
AnswerID:
435008
Reply By: Kimba10 - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 21:21
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010 at 21:21
Not sure of the set up on the cruiser but when I had the old 2.8D lux with out fail when ever we did a
water crossing the dash would light up like a xmas tree, alt,brake,
water trap light and a couple of others, the first time I thought oh o, but after finding it was just the white plastic male to female connector ontop of the alternator from then on I use to just pull apart spray with wd40 or crc and clipped back together and all the lights would go out and be charging again. I could have cut the connections and soldered the wires together to stop it but never bothered about it, as I new what it was. Regards Steve
AnswerID:
435023
Reply By: Member - Old Girl (QLD) - Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 14:12
Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 14:12
Our 80 has gone through three alternators in 6 years. Our last one burnt out with out
water going any where near it.!!
AnswerID:
435058
Follow Up By: Member - Old Girl (QLD) - Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 14:16
Thursday, Nov 04, 2010 at 14:16
It spelt like burning oranges and the copper wires were black not
bright orange.
FollowupID:
706175
Reply By: StormyKnight - Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 10:21
Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 10:21
Most likely the alternator - the carbon contacts inside have been covered in mud. When they dry out the abrasive action of the dirt quickly wears the contacts down to nothing & then the alternator fails....
All I can say is you are very luck you have Diesels.....Petrols tend to stop soon after without a working alternator.
I was able to drive 140km back to town in my Diesel wheras several pertols only made it 8.
At the time I researched marine alternators & sealed alternators but never found a suitable solution....it would be nice if there was as a failed alternator is not something you can usually fix on the side of the road...
Cheers
AnswerID:
435116
Follow Up By: Tubby_6 - Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 11:39
Friday, Nov 05, 2010 at 11:39
It appears to definitely be the alternators to blame. All plugs have been removed and from the looks of it, most were in very good cond and still sealed but they got the once over anyhow. As for the alternator itself, I'm planning on taking it out this weekend and having a play. I know they rebuild them so I'm thinking I'd be able to put a kit through it myself, just gotta find one.
And as you said, we were very fortunate we have Diesels. I'm still driving
mine around and putting the battery charger on it overnight to top it up. My brother has already ripped his out and is at the auto elec's getting it checked out.
Thanks for your input. I'll let you know what I find out.
Tubby
FollowupID:
706265
Reply By: Tubby_6 - Thursday, Nov 11, 2010 at 17:09
Thursday, Nov 11, 2010 at 17:09
Just thought I'd update you on the problem. On both
mine and my brothers alternators, it ended up being the brushes. The way that they retract inside their housing has made them susceptible to jamming in. When muddy
water enters, it leaves a small deposit of dirt behind when it dries out. That then causes the brushes to get jammed and loose contact. It didn't take much to free them up but decided to buy a new alternator anyhow. I'll rebuild the old one as a spare. The new brushes were only $15 and bearings are about the same.
Thanks everyone for your input.
Tubby
AnswerID:
435697