myfirstyota
01-26-2020, 12:00 PM
So I thought id share a small intermittent electrical problem I've been having for the past year or so.
As I was driving down the hiway last year in the rain, I noticed my windshield wipers were in turbo mode. I've never seen wipers move that fast. So I pulled over and opened the torque app on my phone. To my amazement the app was showing 18 volts at control module and 18.2 at the obd port.
So I risked it and made my way to the next exit where I called my buddy to go to my place and grab a spare alternator I had, figuring that was the issue. I replaced the alternator on the off ramp with some basic tools and I was on my way with normal voltage again.
I had decided to install a small volt gauge above my stereo so I could easily keep an eye on the situation.
All was well for about 4 months. Then again while driving in the rain the windshield wipers went turbo on me. A quick glance at the gauge and yep.... same issue. 18something volts. Faak!
I got out, wiggled the 4-wire connector and tried again. Back to normal. So at this point I figured I had a bad connection in the connector. I didnt do much about it because I was only having the issue every couple months and it seemed that a quick wiggle of the connector would fix the issue.
Well last week it happened again. And again 5 days later. The frequency was escalating. I got out to give the connector a wiggle and that's when the white wire completely broke about an inch back from the connector. I grabbed my trusty bag of goodies (fuses, crimp connectors, etc, and some basic hand tools). I used a butt connector to connect the wire back together and the voltage has been perfect for 2 days now. Today I'll properly solder and shrink wrap the connection.
Just wanted to share this experience so if anyone has this over-voltage issue, they dont do what I did and replace the alternator first and spend unnecessary money. Check your wires going to your alternator!
As I was driving down the hiway last year in the rain, I noticed my windshield wipers were in turbo mode. I've never seen wipers move that fast. So I pulled over and opened the torque app on my phone. To my amazement the app was showing 18 volts at control module and 18.2 at the obd port.
So I risked it and made my way to the next exit where I called my buddy to go to my place and grab a spare alternator I had, figuring that was the issue. I replaced the alternator on the off ramp with some basic tools and I was on my way with normal voltage again.
I had decided to install a small volt gauge above my stereo so I could easily keep an eye on the situation.
All was well for about 4 months. Then again while driving in the rain the windshield wipers went turbo on me. A quick glance at the gauge and yep.... same issue. 18something volts. Faak!
I got out, wiggled the 4-wire connector and tried again. Back to normal. So at this point I figured I had a bad connection in the connector. I didnt do much about it because I was only having the issue every couple months and it seemed that a quick wiggle of the connector would fix the issue.
Well last week it happened again. And again 5 days later. The frequency was escalating. I got out to give the connector a wiggle and that's when the white wire completely broke about an inch back from the connector. I grabbed my trusty bag of goodies (fuses, crimp connectors, etc, and some basic hand tools). I used a butt connector to connect the wire back together and the voltage has been perfect for 2 days now. Today I'll properly solder and shrink wrap the connection.
Just wanted to share this experience so if anyone has this over-voltage issue, they dont do what I did and replace the alternator first and spend unnecessary money. Check your wires going to your alternator!