2002 Toyota RAV4 Alternator Charging issue

Tiny
DINESH_GD2003
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
The voltage output of my alternator decreases after the engine has been running for a few minutes,
I have already done the following:

Alternator - replaced the brushes, voltage regulator, and coil
Battery - New battery has been installed
Grounding wires - Checked and in good condition
Alternator Fuse - Checked and in good condition

I am no longer able to determine what the problem might be. Please advice
Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 AT 8:40 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,869 POSTS
You didn't say what those voltages are. Maybe you don't have a problem.
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
DINESH_GD2003
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Problem is there:

Initially voltage is above 14V, then it goes down to about 13.55V after some time
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 AT 10:38 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Unless specified differently by the manufacturer, the acceptable range is between 13.75 and 14.75 volts. You're just below that minimum, but the charging system is still working. What kind of problem are you trying to solve? Are you having cranking issues? If so, all the time, or will it crank okay for a few days, then the battery is too discharged? Why exactly are you pursuing this?
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 AT 10:51 PM
Tiny
DINESH_GD2003
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The issue I am having is when driving at night time, with the headlights on etc. The A/C blower fan slows down, the power of the horn goes down etc. I don't want to end up stuck on the road, as I feel the problem will only get worse if left unattended.
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 AT 11:15 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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A better suspect is a failed diode in the generator. There's six of them With one bad diode, the most current you can get is exactly one third of the generator's rated maximum current. 30 amps from the common 90 amp generator isn't enough to run the entire electrical system under all conditions. You need a professional load tester to test for full-load current and "ripple" voltage. Those two tests will tell if there's a failed diode.

You also must consider that three things are needed to generate current, and one of them is "movement" between the two other parts. That movement is a product of engine speed, so a slowed engine will result in reduced voltage in the electrical system. If the load test proves you're able to get the full current from the generator, it is likely you don't have a problem.
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 AT 11:26 PM
Tiny
DINESH_GD2003
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Ok Thank you. I will look in to the Diodes, and also do a load test on the Alternator.
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 AT 11:31 PM

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