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  • Strange & intermittent electrical problem

    Hi,

    Call for help from auto elec gurus out there.

    I have 90 series Prado, 3lt diesel auto. It is fitted with a dual battery with second battery dedicated to starter. It appears to have random drop in voltage. When it runs at full 12v everything works fine, but when it drops (or seems to) then I get symptoms below:
    Radio dies then comes imediately back, tacho needle drops to 0, electric windows will move slowly especially if more than one operating at a time, lights dim, interior lights dim, sometimes O/D Off light flashes (but O/D still works), sometimes ABS light comes on briefly.

    The battery tests fine, as does the alternator, but symptoms rarely appear when car stationary. Belts are new. Sometimes hitting a bump will cause voltage drop, other times operating brake pedal or indicator, or high beam, or sunroof, or A/C will create problem. I think it's a voltage drop as it's like driving a 56 VW with 6v system at night when it strikes. When it's fine, then no problems with anything. It can be fine for days on end, then suddenly it will go off and symptoms come one after the other.

    It doesn't seem to effect the running of the engine, indicators still work (probably dim but not been able to confirm) and A/C still operates.

    There is an after-market alarm fitted, but don't see how that could effect electrics like this.

    Any ideas on where to start looking? What could cause these symptoms?

    Regards,
    PaulS

  • #2
    Whenever I hear about intermittent electrical issues, especially when it is caused by bumps and shocks, I reckon look for earthing problems. Check all your major earths.
    My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by mjrandom View Post
      Whenever I hear about intermittent electrical issues, especially when it is caused by bumps and shocks, I reckon look for earthing problems. Check all your major earths.
      X2 for your earth points. Check the one next to the main battery to the chassis.
      Winston.

      White 2009 120 Series D4D GXL manual.

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi
        I'm no electrician, but have done electronics in a past life so I dabble in the electrics of my Prado.
        I've had 2 strange electrical thinges happen to my 90 Diesel with dual battery.

        1. The voltage would seem to drop below 12v on a regular basis and did not seem to be able to go above 13v when the engine was revving high. It turned out to be the bushes on the alternator were worn out. Replaced and all good, voltage now just under 14v when charging, even on idle.

        2. Recently my ABS light would turn on when I would turn on my parking lights. I suspected an earthing problem but could not find it. In the mean time someone ran into the back of my Prado (2nd time this has happened) and I replaced the rear bumper with an MCC wheel carrier. I had to wire up the lights. I terminated the earth onto the metal work and the ABS light is now working fine. So the earthing problem may not be just at the battery cable end of the car. Weird I know. But it might have something to do with the ABS sensors on the rear wheels.

        Comment


        • #5
          No electrical expert here but I was thinking earth problem just from the thread title

          Cheers Andrew
          [COLOR="#FF0000"]So Long and Thanks for all the Fish![/COLOR]

          [url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3840-AJ-s-120-Prado]MY PRADO AND DIY CAMPER TRAILER[/url]

          [url=http://www.4wdadventurers.com/showthread.php?3975-AJ-s-79-series-Cruiser-Ute]MY HZJ79 Landcrusier[/url]


          [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

          Comment


          • #6
            The thing I would be focusing on is the radio stops working, this tends to indicate a
            severe voltage drop, ie 9V or lower. Assuming the battery is ok even if the alternator
            was to stop charging then the car should run ok for a considerable length of time just
            on the battery. If we assume the battery is faulty then again if your driving the car
            ie engine above idle then the alternator should be able to supply the current so the only
            time it would really present as a problem would be at idle or starting.

            Therefore from your description the only way this can happen is a fault in the
            positive lead to the cars circuits after the commoning point of the alternator and the
            battery which is usually the positive battery terminal, ie from the terminal back to the fuse
            box, so check the fuseabke link and terminals if there is one.

            Or as the others have said a common eathing point for the affected circuits.

            Cheers
            Leigh
            HKB Electronics, manufacturer of the Alternator Voltage Booster, Silver 2008 D4D,Lifted,Underbody protection, Alternator Voltage Booster, Tiger Z winch, Lightforce DL, Air Horns, Tanami Drawers, Drop down fridge slide, Outback cargo barriers, Rotronics dual Battery system, Polaris GPS, HF/UHF/VHF, Radio speaker combiner, Long ranger water tank, Diff breathers, Inverter, Snorkel and others

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks everyone. I'll look first at the major battery earth, then look at the lead to the fuse block. I had it in a shop recently (they couldn't find anything) but it worked well for days afterward and I know they disconnected the battery as I had to drive in a circle to reset the compass...
              I'll let you know what transpires.
              P

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks again everyone. I started with an "earth" lead from battery to side panel, took it off and sanded off all the paint underneath it and sanded the terminal, quick sliver of petroleum jelly then bolted back up nice and tight and haven't had a voltage drop yet! Here's hoping that's all it was.
                Cheers, P
                2 days later...it came back. *sigh* I'll keep looking at other grounding leads.
                Last edited by botz_90; 23-08-2013, 01:38 AM.

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                • #9
                  umm... forget your batteries mate. Tighten the charge lead coming from the back of the alternator. It's loose. IF the connections from the battery fail while the engine is running, you probably won't notice. Alternator charge output drops... you'll notice.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Fusible link perhaps faulty? I have seen this causing problems in 80 series.
                    Michael and Kelly

                    [SIZE=1]1999 Prado Snowy 3.4L petrol, Ultimate Suspension 50mm lift (2013)[/SIZE][SIZE=1], BFG A/T, bull bar, winch, Twine hot water shower, home made rear drawers, Shippshape car top tent, UHF radio, tablet GPS & Navman GPS (both running OziExplorer)[/SIZE][SIZE=1], Spot 1, solar panel, second battery, inverter, Engel fridge and more[/SIZE]

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                    • #11
                      Thanks for the input McF. On a further note, I've had a virtually trouble free run for the last couple of weeks and it began with giving it a blast down the highway, AKA an Italian tune-up. Up until then I must admit to being a rather sedate driver, the revs rarely going over 2000 RPM, but since I took it up to 3500ish a couple of times, voila, no more voltage drops...yet.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Shortly after that last post both batteries went flat. Yes, dual batteries and no start!
                        A friend helped out and we charged both batteries, only one wouldn't charge at all, so replaced it and now all the gremlins seem to have gone. My thinking is that the one battery was on the way out and doing flaky things with my electrics.
                        I do now want to install an isolator and battery monitor, but will keep that for another thread.

                        Comment

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