On my 1981 4x4 Toyota pickup, the Charge light comes on intermittently, stays on for about a minute, then will go off. Sometimes it won't come on for days, other times it comes back on within a minute. I can hear a "click" coming from under the glove box, so I assume there is a relay there. Volt Meter says it's putting out 14v - everything appears okay except for the light. Do I have a bad relay? Any ideas where else to look? Thanks.

The charge relay is under the drivers side.
Mine malfunctioned on my 1981, just like you're talking about... Check voltage at the battery with it running, just to be sure. It should be above 12.7v.

Thanks for the note. I think I'll order a replacement and just swap it out to see if that cures the problem. With intermittent electical issues like this, I'm not sure what else to do. I'm sure the mechanic would have to do the same. Thanks again.

I just took the charge light relay off on my 82.

I think the price for a replacement is prohibitive.

Shoot me a part number please, if you go ordering one. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Just in case:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/alternator_brushes/

Do keep in mind yours isn't the same alternator as in the tech article, so you might need to verify the part number with Toyota to make sure you get what you need. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I'll get the part number for you when I get to the office (where I left my receipt). I did order one from the local Toyota dealer @ $117 -- a lot of money for a relay! I'll also let you know if that cured the problem.

The part number is 27790-35010 at $107.86 plus tax.

I had the same issue in both my Toyotas. My 86 Pickup and my 94 4Runner. The fuse blocks under the kick panel kind of loosened up. I mean the contacts seam to get kind of loose and make bad connections. I replace the charge relay and I still had the same issue. I started messing with the fuse block and got it it pop on and off. So I went through and cleaned and bent the contacts back to closed and then lubed all the bare contacts with copious amounts of dielectric grease. Never had a problem since, Something to maybe look at if the relay thing doesnÆt pan out.

Also for the relaysà U can open them up usually what happens is that the contacts burn over time and they soot up to the point that they can no longer contact. Some times depending on how it is made you can take a business card, spay out the relay with contact cleaner and rub the business card though the contacts and it will be just abrasive enough to clean off the insulating corrosion and soot. This worked for me on headlight relays and such I never opened the charge relay but I would bet that its standard Toyota design.

Just something maybe to try may save you some bucks.