Dimming Lights

[ChrisCrowie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ChrisCrowie]

Hi All,

After a weekend up at Kenilworth I now have a problem in the electrics with the dash lights and headlights dimming and then brightening up constantly when driving or at idle. I have checked all connections and cannot find any problems.

Does anybody have any ideas what could be causing it as driving at night is now out of the question till I can resolve the problem.

Stereo and UHF still work fine with no problems, it is just the dash lights and headlights that are dimming then going back to normal.

Is it possible the alternator has gone?

[Guest Close Guest]

Did you get anything wet?

Could be a voltage issue, but as it appears to only be part of the system it would be worth checking fuses and perhaps earth points.
A multimeter will be handy in trouble shooting it.

Perhaps connecting to the headlight feed with a temp wire and watching the readings when the problem occurs. Might help to troubleshoot it.

[ChrisCrowie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ChrisCrowie]

Hi TP,

Lots of things got wet, plenty of creek crossings were had. One was over the bonnent for a few meters.

I am planning to clean the engine bay tonight to get rid of all the crap in there and check all fuses so I will see how this goes.

I will also try and get a multimeter to check, I will have to see how this goes cause to be honest I don't know too much about electrics.

[Guest Close Guest]

I would suggest pulling part all plugs to clean them and crc/lanolin them if you have been swimming.

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

Re: Dimming Lights

Hi All,
After a weekend up at Kenilworth

Lots of things got wet, plenty of creek crossings were had. One was over the bonnent for a few meters.

Crossings that deep at Kenilworth!?! last time i went up there the creeks were dust pits! where'd you find a lake to play in? i may just have to go play!

[ChrisCrowie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ChrisCrowie]

Hi McBain,

I have to think now, went out through Charlie Morland, straight ahead at the fork in the road, down a track on the right, over a big hill and then down and at the bottom was this beautiful creek to cross and then an awesome hill climb on the other side (went for a couple of k's)(I chickened out right near the top, too muddy and steep without lockers for back up!!)

I will get the GPS co-ordinates tonight for it and post them tomorrow (the ones for the turn off on the right)

Do you use OzExplor cause I can send you a track log of where we went.

[ChrisCrowie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ChrisCrowie]

Also McBain,

Your Avatar, that doesn't happen to be a shot of the creek before you get to Booloumba Creek 1 area is it? If so, have you had the misfortune of running into the physco who lives at the top of the hill.... He ended up driving down and giving me a gobful for just crossing a creek... and then proceeded to block my car in with his until he had finished yelling at me... needless to say I think he forgot to take his medication that day!!!

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

nice one!

yes the avatar is a clip from a video of me driving through the first crossing after a bit of rain! havn't met the locals yet but i've seen them on the side of the road when coming into the place normally getting covered in dust on the way past..

[ChrisCrowie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ChrisCrowie]

Hey McBain,

Entry to to the forrest track is at: -26 37.1993 | 152 37.3433

Just go out through Charlie Moreland, and keep going straight till you hit this point and turn right, follow the track down. At one stage it will branch left and right, if you go right there is a nice little hill climb a bit further up on the left that loops back around. Take the left hand track going down to meet with the creek.

The creek crossing is at:

-26 36.2702 | 152 37.2124

Cross the creek and then turn left and follow it for a bit, at the end is a fence but to your right is a very long and in parts steep hill climb to the top. Lots of fun!! :lol:


In regards to the light issue I have taken it today to the Auto Electrician. The second battery is flat and has not been charging. All fuses cleaned and boxes checked for water and cannot find the fault. Although did find my earth to the body was melted!!??!! I remember seeing it smoke now when I winched a 100 series out on Bribie the weekend beforehand.

So I am hoping it is just an issue with the earth shorting the system... let's hope....

[ChrisCrowie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ChrisCrowie]

Just heard back from the Auto electrician. The problem was with the deep cycle battery.

Apparently being a calcium to calcium battery it required 14.2V for charge yet the alternator only puts out 13.6V. Therefore once the start battery was charged it was attempting to charge the aux battery but due to the aux battery being too low it was draining the start and then the system would switch back to charging the main battery. This was causing the lights to dim. (has been fine for the last 16 mths with no issues!) :roll:

So now I will put in two start batteries which will help with the current draw from the winch and seeing as when I go camping I run the fridge on gas I shouldn't have too many problems.

They are also going to replace a fair bit of the wiring with heavier guage stuff to help it all along.

I guess I will see what I end up with when I pick her up this arvo.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: Dimming Lights

Hi Chris,
How did you go with this problem?
I've been on paternity leave for the last few weeks and the playdo hasn't been doing the same type of klm's it's used to... so I think the deep cycle is starting to suffer the same fate as you've described.

I charged the deep cycle in the garage off 240v the other day but when I put it back in the car it showed a red 'alert' indicator... took it to my mechanic who then sent me to the local battery shop and they tested the current across the deep cycle's terminals and it was only giving out 13.5v... the other thing was that it's stayed at 13.5v at idle, at revs and with the lights on :?

Phoned Toyota who serviced the alternator last November and they say that 13.5v is spot on... :? :? My Gregory's says the range should be 13.7v - 14.8v (I suspect they are just trying to avoid a warranty claim on the alternator :evil: )

Does anyone know of a higher rated alternator that can be used on the 90 series ??

[ChrisCrowie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ChrisCrowie]

Re: Dimming Lights

Hi Leon,

Since the batteries were swapped no issues at all, but I am no longer using a deep cycle, just the two start batteries.

I would be interested as well in knowning if there is another alternator that can be put in.

Cheers,
Chris.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: Dimming Lights

Hi Leon,

Since the batteries were swapped no issues at all, but I am no longer using a deep cycle, just the two start batteries.

I would be interested as well in knowning if there is another alternator that can be put in.

Cheers,
Chris.

Ferrit, over on the Overlander forum mentioned the 120 alternator fits with a bit of customising and it's a higher amp output... I'm still looking into it though.
Will post up what I find out.

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

Re: Dimming Lights

Hi Leon,

I think you might be approaching this from the wrong angle.
A higher output alternator will give you more amps, not higher voltage.

To me 13.5 vots is low for a 90 series but probably okay with a D4D type engine where the engine ECU controls alternator output.

My 3.4L V6 model sits around 14.1 -14.2 depending on load (current draw)
- Batteries low & lights on > lower voltage (high current draw)
- Batteries charged & no lights > higher voltage (low current draw)
Our alternators have an internal Voltage Regulator which is usually not adjustable, so there are two options;
Replace the regulator as it sounds like it has too low a setting ( may or may not have a higher volt setting) or have an external voltage regulator fitted which is adjustable.

I believe the better option would be an external reg as you can get units now that have battery temp sensors, variable outputs for different battery types, gel, AGM wet cell etc.

A good auto sparkie will be able to modify the alternator for you.

Hope this helps.

Lee

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: Dimming Lights

Cool, thanks Lee.

I really have no idea about this stuff but just knew that Toyota were off the mark telling me that 13.5v is OK.
Bubby is screaming at the moment so I'll come back and have another read of your advise soon