Topic: Charge light on off on off....................

[mudmaster]

Just started on my way to work and haven't had time to take a look. Only did it while I was on the freeway at 50 to 60. Stopped after about 30 sec once I got off. Didn't do it at all during city driving (about 35 to 40). Anyone got any ideas? It's an 80 with a carbed 22R. Thanks in advance.

[SQUIRREL MONSTER]

check connections... if all is well, have the alt checked.

[mudmaster [OP]]

That's what I'm thinking too, thanks.

[SACD_Runner]

check connections... if all is well, have the alt checked.

x2, were the lights going diim? i'm betting a terminal was shaking loose at freeway speeds, thus the reason why city driving was ok. better to be safe then sorry though.

[mudmaster [OP]]

Actually I couldn't really tell.

[SQUIRREL MONSTER]

get it solves asap cus stuff flikering like that will burn up your electrical stuff. especially a bad ground

[rscalmo]

ive had the same problem. now it just stays on. been on for a year. alt has been checked cant figure it out. everything is fine on my rig though. sensor light too...

[SACD_Runner]

From my just recent experience in my stock 87 22r, when my alt was going out (on my home from Whistler) all of the dash was flickering, then the motor kicked up to 3.5k and wouldn't drop back down. So arriving at my buddys house i ran over to shmucks and bought a alt. Worked great Drove it home and put a new battery in it. Then while warming it up my Bat light would come on untill i blurped the gas then it went away. Needless to say it was a loose terminal. So, I would check your terminals really well and then go from there following your grounds. On these only trucks we need to remember that 20 years of being bumped around can make things loose. Hope this helps.

[mudmaster [OP]]

Checked all connections, none were loose. Alt is now out and will be tested this afternoon. On another note it's not just a light coming on and off. I've got a volt gauge and the voltage drops when the light comes on. And no I just thought to check the connections at the gauge 

[SACD_Runner]

The beauty of a voltometer. I should get one too. better then second guessing your stock gauge.

[SQUIRREL MONSTER]

Checked all connections, none were loose. Alt is now out and will be tested this afternoon. On another note it's not just a light coming on and off. I've got a volt gauge and the voltage drops when the light comes on. And no I just thought to check the connections at the gauge 

sounds like me when my alt was goin out. have it checked.

[Willy Mammoth]

Diodes are the most common problem with the light flickering or coming on. If one fails to filter out the AC it will back feed causing the light to light up. The alt could still be charging and have the light on. So make sure they can check the diodes too.

[mudmaster [OP]]

Schmucks says it's good. I told them I wanted it warrantied anyway. Long story but I got my way. They didn't have any so it's on order. Stay tuned, I'm supposed to get one this afternoon.  

[8D3TOY]

Mudmaster, I have mentioned this in a few other charge/brake light posts I went through this whole thing replacing everything electrical and I mean everything multiple times on my 83.  My charge/break lights would flicker,then the charge would stay on and the brake would flicker then eventually they both remained on constantly.  Long story short it had nothing to do with the charge/brake system,got it fixed by a longtime Toyota mech. who told me it was a primative check engine light and he replaced a vacume switch and rebuilt my carb and other vacume stuff.  Even though it is carbed my 83 has a computer that can detect rich/lean conditions mine was rich and triggered the lights.  Just something to consider when you are out of ideas on the electrical.

[mudmaster [OP]]

It was the alternator. Thanks everyone.