Electrical Problem - 60 Series LandCruiser
Submitted: Friday, Aug 12, 2011 at 15:56
ThreadID:
88435
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13406
Replies:
7
FollowUps:
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TheMajor
G'day
Forum - A question for auto-electricians online
Some time ago I took my 60 Series to an auto electrician to fit extra spotlights and a second battery. Now, this is my weekend car and doesn't get used all that much but the problem is not a flat battery.
After the auto electrician completed the work, I noticed that when I was night driving the volt gauge was only putting in about 12.6 to 12.8 volts and if I turned the spotlights on - it would go lower, turn the spotlights off - the volts would pick up, turn the headlights off - volts normal.
Took vehicle back to auto electrician who said generator stuffed - new generator installed. Result -same problem, no difference. Auto electrician said the new generator was faulty - another new generator installed. Result -same problem persisting.
I adjusted the regulator and that helped a bit but when I put the spotlights on - same thing, voltage too low to properly charge the battery.
Took vehicle to another auto electrician who told me voltage regulator faulty. Bought a new regulator - works perfectly with lights on high and low beam, turn the spotlights on- goes down
hill again to below 12 volts. But even worse with the new regulator with all the lights off it is pushing out over 15.5 volts, sometimes 15.8 volts which is far too much.
I have disconnected the second battery and all the accessories but still the same problem.
So, new generator, new regulator, new battery - I can't think of anything else to look for.
Any help from a sparky would really be appreciated as the only alternative I have now is to put the old regulator back on that works OK with no lights on and only drive in the day.
Thanking you in anticipation
The Major
Reply By: TheMajor - Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 12:24
Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 12:24
G'day Frank, Joe and Colin,
Thanks for your reply lads, I really appreciate your advice.
The first thing I will be doing is cleaning the battery connections particularly the earth lead and other wiring. If that does not work I will follow some other advice I have received that the generator on the 60s series may be struggling to light up the spotlights. I have 4 spotlights plus the
driving lights, and thinking about it now, it was not until after those lights were fitted that I detected the problem. I only use the car as a second car and it would have been some time after the spotlights were fitted that I actually used them.
It is a shame that the old fashioned detective tradesmen are disappearing.
Once again thanks very much for your advice
Cheers
The Major
AnswerID:
462491
Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 13:13
Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 13:13
I thought replacement alternators on the 60 series were 150 amp jobs, which should be an issue with the extra spoties.
Peter
FollowupID:
736293
Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 17:32
Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 17:32
I thought replacement alternators on the 60 series were 150 amp jobs, which should NOT be an issue with the extra spoties.
FollowupID:
736308
Follow Up By: TheMajor - Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 20:07
Saturday, Aug 13, 2011 at 20:07
G'day Peter
Thanks for your reply. What I've done now is cleaned all the earth and positive connections to the batteries and taken off the new voltage regulator which was pumping out too many volts for the 60 series. I've put the old one back on. Things are now working ok concerning the original lights high and low beam, as I'm getting a reading of 13.8 - 14.2v, however, as soon as I turn the 4 spotties on things die in the bum.
Anyway, I'm going to get an amp meter and
check out the maximum amps from the alternator, bearing in mind this is the second new one I've had in the last couple of weeks. I'm pretty sure the alternator is pumping out the maximum.
I'm still experimenting and I really appreciate your advice.
Thanks Peter,
Catch you down the track sometime
Cheers
The Major
FollowupID:
736313
Reply By: trainslux - Monday, Aug 15, 2011 at 21:16
Monday, Aug 15, 2011 at 21:16
Are the lights running off relays, or patched into the old headlight loom?
Toyotas used to run the light circuit load through the light switch, which would often fail, or become a source of problems.
Best bet if not already done, is to use the light circuit to activate relays for each bank of lights, ie low, high, and spotties.
And dont skimp on the earth wire returns to your battery, or common earth point on chassis directly connected to the battery.
cheers
Trains
AnswerID:
462698