97 Camry Charging Issues

[Squid]

So driving home today the charge light came on and shorty after things started to die! The battery light did stay on for a few seconds this morning, but went off again, I attributed this to a cold morning and a bit of stop start, home -> fuel -> gym-> work without much running time.

Limped home (maybe a mistake) and did some diagnosis:

• Car starts and runs using a donor battery.
• Existing battery doesn't seem to charge when hooked up by jumper leads to running donor car - batt may be dead?
• When running on donor battery, measures 12v at battery and declining.
• Voltage takes a hit when lights go on etc and then continues to drop.
• Measurement at alternator between B+ and alt casing = 0V
• Measurement at alternator between B+ and block = 0v
• Measurement at alternator between b+ and battery= 0v

I am tired (new baby) so have given up for the night, but any suggestions on where to from here?

I am guessing the 0v readings indicate a blown 100a alt fuse? otherwise I would at least expect to detect battery voltage.
Could it be a regulator failure dragging the output to 0v (and maybe blowing the fuse>)?
Is my alternator borked?

I do find it strange that I am seeing a perfect 0v most alt failures I have experienced have been gradual so I would expect to see something at the output?

Anything else? what have I missed (I am sure there is something fatigue is a bitch!)

Thanks - Squid

[Daddio]

The alt doesn't charge through the 100A fuse, its linked directly to the battery.
It needs power supply in order to charge (unlike a generator) usually supplied from main relay or other ignition fed live, and also a sensor wire to the battery.
Given you are not getting anything (13v+) at the battery when running, sounds like the alternator has died

[Dan_k36]

Yea going with alternator on this, they are common on camrys, means they are cheap to buy tho

[madmont]

Mine went like that. Just needed a new regulator/brush assembly . Easy, alternator was right in front . Did not need to remove just replaced dodgy part. Aren't you lucky you do not have a Mondeo

[Squid]

madmont - is the brush regulator assembly going to be available at a local auto store or will I have to order it in? How much was it? Need the car running asap so was hoping to find something locally (in Canberra)

Thanks guys - was pretty sure it was the alternator, but wanted to make sure.

[Daddio]

Mine went like that. Just needed a new regulator/brush assembly . Easy, alternator was right in front . Did not need to remove just replaced dodgy part. Aren't you lucky you do not have a Mondeo

Wish mine were so simple...2JZGTE in a JZA70 body=alternator is in tighter than John Holmes in a teenage anorexic

[madmont]

Got mine from Bursons . make sure you know exactly which alternator you have

[Squid]

Kewl - I will check it out tonight and hit the auto shops in the morning! am tempted to buy a full replacement at $100ish sure beats the $850 it cost to rebuild & rewind the one for the gt4!

That is exactly why I bought the camry, more reliable than gt4, but even better when it breaks it doesn't send me broke!

[Squid]

Thanks madmont - as per your suggestion was the regulator/brush assembly, plus the 100a fuseable link! Took it out, drove down to autpro and back, had lunch, installed and started car within a couple of hours.

Except it seems I managed to blow the radio fuse in the whole process (probably when the bat was running low, low V = high A). But not the fuse in the glove box, tis the one behind the head unit, bummer... will get to that this week!