help diagnosing 2 issues - alternator and ticking noise

**DTrain** · 19-01-2006, 03:27 PM

hey all,

first off i have this ticking noise that seems to be coming from the injectors (around there). it more prevelant at low revs - for example when im going up gears in about the 2-2.5k range (i can hear it when my drivers window is down). ill see if i can get a vid of it and host it up. but should i get the injectors flushed or are there any opinions on what the problem might be.

also i recently changed the brushes in my alternator cause the charge light was coming on - this was fine (i thought) cause the charge light never came on again but yesterday my car was strugglin to start (battery was dead -obviously the alternator is not doing its job) charged it up and now the charge light very lightly comes on when idling at traffic (not while driving when the rev are up) i even turned my radio off but it kept flashing randomly very lightly. im gunna run a wire from the battery straight to the alternator to see if its the wiring to the alternator is the problem, but is it time for a reconditioned alternator or can i get one with a bigger load rating maybe 70-80amps from another model and bolt it up?

any help would be appreciated
ps. its an ae82 bigport 4age
dave

**caibs** · 19-01-2006, 03:42 PM

sounds like your lifters or tappets mate. not a huge drama, they'll need to be clearanced correctly. although without hearing it its kinda hard to definately say what it is. take it to a mechanic and if it is the tappets then they'll be able to tell you just by listening to it for a few seconds.

hope this helps
take it easy.

**urantia** · 19-01-2006, 06:47 PM

no lifters or tappets in the 4age, but yeah same principle.

Injectors can be noisy under certain circumstances, but more likely excessive clearances between the cam lobe and shim, or other valve related head noise. If you can hear the tapping from in the cabin with the bonnet closed i don't think it's your injectors. Will need to hear it.

**DTrain** · 20-01-2006, 03:15 AM

hmmm i think im just gunna leave the tickin noise in the "cant be arsed basket" or will it just get worse?

so what about the alternator im leaning towards just gettin a new one or a second hand one, replacing the brushes and seeing how that goes? would one off a smallport fit?

thanks
dave

**Cressida91GLX** · 20-01-2006, 04:59 AM

replace the brushes and it should be alright. And ticking sound either go to a mechanic or remove your valve cover and look for your self.

**Cuzzo** · 20-01-2006, 01:01 PM

are you sure the ticking noise is comming from the engine? could it be your CV's?

**DTrain** · 20-01-2006, 01:45 PM

hmm yeah im not definite about the noise but when my window is down and i accelerate i can hear a ticking noise - so maybe it could be the cv that im hearing from the drivers side?

ive already replaced the brushes in the alternator but i might double check that they have the right length on them

**tooch** · 21-01-2006, 09:16 AM

Hmm is it like a rythmic ticking sound or kinda random? Cos im thinking if its only happening under accelleration at low revs, it could be pinging?

**DTrain** · 23-01-2006, 12:08 AM

yeah its like like about 8 ticks a second. cant really hear it while idling but on acceleration its loud enough for me to notice it. it louder uphills but then at cruising i cant hear it

**EldarO** · 23-01-2006, 12:19 AM

stick the car in neutral, and rev it.

It could be one of many things,

engine making noise while free revving,
engine making noise while under load,
car making noise while moving, etc.

does it change if your going up/down a hill?

Eldar.O.

**tooch** · 23-01-2006, 09:22 AM

So if you are going up a hill with the engine under load, then you back right off, does the noise stop?

**"Z" UTE** · 23-01-2006, 04:56 PM

If you have already replaced the alternator brushes, to confirm the charging system is working correctly, check your battery voltage before engine start, and then recheck with engine running. Static battery should have at minimum 12 volts, and when charging at idle, should be around 13-14 volts. Have you replaced your accessory drive belt?, and tensioned it to specs?

cheers Chuck.

**DTrain** · 23-01-2006, 11:52 PM

in nuetral and just revving it i cant here the sound and i cant hear it while cruising - only when im accelerating up the gears (up hills its louder) it almost sounds like my car is a lawn mower

but its not like a grinding or a knocking sound it more of a ticking/clicking sound...ill see if i can get my camera out and get the sound for yas

im gunna take out my alternator 2moro and double check the lenth on the brushes just to make sure thier greater than minimum. ive been told on twincam.org that it might be the ic regulator so i might ring toyota spares and see how much they are (i removed the regulator to change the brushes so i cant see it being a huge drama). and alternator belt and aircon belt were replaced less than 10,000kms ago and the alternator belt is definitely spinning the alternator

thanks for all your help guys - but ive been a bit preoccupied lately with my new project 72mini clubman

**tooch** · 24-01-2006, 09:09 AM

Hrmm I would guess pinging, I know my old ae82 used to do it fairly loudly when the timing was out. Check your timing, it should be 10 degrees, but you can run up to around 15 if you run higher octane fuel.

**DTrain** · 24-01-2006, 03:08 PM

well it seems like i have found my problem

outside rotor is worn - inside seems fine but the outside has been eaten by something mysterious, that or just old age. but im still getting 12v at the battery and the alternator with engine off and 14v with the engine running so i guess its working but ill have to get a second hand alternator methinks to be on the safe side.

and upon checkin the cv's (all good) i noticed a bolt fairly loose - it was the bolt that adjusts the pulley for the aircon belt, so i tightened her up and no more tickin noise! yippie!