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