DIM battery light

[2o6]

I just had the shop replace my alternator (Just bought this car) free of charge due to the battery light. It was on when I picked the car up on Friday, but it went off when I got down the block. I drove it all day yesterday with no problem. The guy got the alternator, and I just got it installed. Now the battery light it back on, but it's incredibly dim. So dim that I don't think any normal person would notice. Sunglare makes it impossible to tell.


Why is the battery light so dim?


Took it to autozone, battery is 100% charged, and the alternator is good. Possible overcharge? Deteriorating battery?

[CTScott]

Is the alternator an aftermarket or a genuine Toyota one? It seems that most people who install aftermarket ones have this issue.

[2o6]

Is the alternator an aftermarket or a genuine Toyota one? It seems that most people who install aftermarket ones have this issue.

Dealer guy says it's genuine, but I don't think it is. I'm having him install the old one. It actually worked fine. They assumed it was the alternator when the battery light came on, but it went off after I drove it off the lot, and I've driven it 250 miles with no problems.

[09sedan]

bad ground?

[bobolinko]

Is the alternator an aftermarket or a genuine Toyota one? It seems that most people who install aftermarket ones have this issue.

Yup! Guess the Japanese system just cannot understand the american Alternator's "current events".... :>)

[Geoff Peace]

I just had the shop replace my alternator (Just bought this car) free of charge due to the battery light. It was on when I picked the car up on Friday, but it went off when I got down the block. I drove it all day yesterday with no problem. The guy got the alternator, and I just got it installed. Now the battery light it back on, but it's incredibly dim. So dim that I don't think any normal person would notice. Sunglare makes it impossible to tell.


Why is the battery light so dim?


Took it to autozone, battery is 100% charged, and the alternator is good. Possible overcharge? Deteriorating battery?

Leaking diode in the alternator rectifier.

Regards Geoff Peace.

[2o6]

I'm just going to put the old alternator back on. It checks out as "Good" by autozone, and the battery light went off right after I drove it off the lot. If it fails, I'll just replace it on my own dime.

[2o6]

I had them reinstall the old alternator.

Something I noticed with the aftermarket alternator - a rougher idle. It seems like it always idled too low.

[yariseggvvti]

I had replace Autozone alternator and it works the first few days. The battery light on after few days and now it off. I am thinking going to purchase a new one from Toyota. I hate breaking down on the road. I rather spend more money get a reliable one. Any suggestion? Thanks!

[2o6]

I ended up buying a used alternator from a wrecked 2008 MY car for around $80. It's way cheaper than the IIRC $600 Toyota OEM part.