howzit, everyone. the other day both lights came on. yesterday, i used my truck and both lights were flickering?? not sure if it's a bad connection or a bad alternator? any ideas? i have a 1983 Yota 4x4 reg cab. Thanks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

The lights usually indicate a charging issue. If you have an amp meter you can check to see what the alternator is putting out at the battery, should be about 13-14 volts. You can also check the battery to see if you have been running off the alt or the battery. If the alternator isn't working the battery should be below 12volts.

If no amp meter, you can pull the alternator and have it checked for free at most parts stores. Be sure to disconnect the battery first, the alt cable that runs to the battery has power to it all the time.

x 2 per Snowtoy.

If your truck doesn't have the separate voltage regulator, then this:

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

Original alternator?

I know it sounds weird, but check your brake fluid level.
I thought those lights both came on when the fluid level was low.

Just a thought.

Todd

Ah yes; good remembering Todd; hope you're well! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

If the brake fluid level is OK as Todd mentioned above, then it's probably the alternator.

The alternator "charge" and the "brake" lights are in an oddball circuit configuration in Toyotas.

Long story short, when there is no alternator output or, (if you have a 7.5 amp fuse labeled "chg" for "charge") if that fuse is blown, both lights will also come on.

Since your symptoms are intermittent flashing of both lights, (assuming brake fluid level OK) the next likely cause is the alternator slip ring brushes are on their last leg..

It's a fairly simple job the pull and replace the brushes as shown in kewlynx's link above...

thanks guys. Over the weekend i ran down to checkers and they did a free battery/alt check. turned out to be a bad alt. changed it all is good. wierd though how the e-brake light comes on. Aloha. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Just a redundancy system, like Toyota does with everything else. Maybe in Japan it is/was common to ignore the first idiot light, so Toyota designers figured they better add another. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />