Howdi every1... Just got a curly one to throw at your expert hilux minds. I'm hoping someone still had a simular problem to mine even though we run different engines.

I've got a 1982 Hilux Dual Cab 2.2l Diesel. The problem I have is with the charging system (duh!). A while ago I went to start the old girl up like many a morning before... but got two engine revolutions out of engine before the battery died. I figured it's the battery because it wasn't the right one for the vehicle (it was a little battery out of a junk vehicle i have here) I put her on charge and all was well for about a week. Exact same problem. So I buy a new battery and replace it. I get 2 weeks outta her and it happens again.

I recharged the new battery and when I got the ute started I ran a multimeter on the battery posts and got a reading of 14.4volts. So I got another week out of the battery and it went flat AGAIN. I jump started it this time and ran a multimeter on the terminals again.... 12.1volts.

So I yanked the altenator, stripped it, cleaned it and stuck it back together. Started the ute up and got 14.4 volts again. I decided to try it again after about 4 hours. She started up alright but only read 12 volts again.... GRRRR.

I yanked the - battery lead while the engine was running and it stalled about 5 seconds later. When I restarted it she charged at 14.4 volts again. It's been doing that ever since. When i go out I start it up, disconnect the battery lead until it stalls, reconnect the battery and I'm good to go on the next restart.

I'm thinking maybe it a voltage regulator or something... are they external on these old utes or built into the altenator?

Sorry for the REALLY long post but thought the story needed all that info

Sounds like the regulator...

Check all the grounds for the battery and alt as well.

To answer your question, yes, the regulator is external on the old ones.

But 14.4V should be enough to properly charge the battery.

Sounds like something may be draining the battery when the engine is off. With it off disconnect the pos cable from the battt and connect an ammeter/DMM inline to measure the current draw when everything is OFF. If it's more than 50 mA or so something is wrong. Start pulling fuses to help narrow down the circuit that is drawing too much current.

I had similar symptoms once in my Maxima.I found there was around a 1 amp drain when everything was off. Turned out that one of the diodes in the alternator was bad.

I don't think it's a bad earth as I've checked/replaced/added earth wires recently. I know 14.4 volts will be enough to charge the battery but it only charges at 14.4 after the battery disconnect trick i mentioned earlier. I'm about 95% sure it's the regulator now (yes it is eternal.. i traced the wiring harness).

I'm pretty sure I just killed/overloaded the regulator. The battery now keeps getting higher and higher charge. I chickened out when the multimeter read just over 16 volts and killed the engine. Now the left side indicator lights are stuck on all the time (not flashing) and half the idiot lights on the dashboard stay lit after you start the engine. I think i might have killed the flasher can and possibly other electrics <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Oh yeah, as suggested I tried seeing what the current draw was when battery disconnected/engine off and it's only about 20Ma

Don't fret... When there is a charging system anomaly, the Toyota design lights up the battery AND brake lights on the dash.

Not sure about the turn signal light...

Just fix the immediate problem, and see if that goes out as well.