Topic: 83, Brake and Charge lights on and off

[White83]

I don't know if this is something common or not, but at random the brake and charge lights will both turn on and off together randomly. Any particular reason for this or is it because the guy I bought it from pretty much rats nested the wiring?

[Rocksurfer]

low or no charge, the brake light always comes one with the charge light. Don't ask why.

[jimbo74]

could be a couple of things..... bad battery, bad alternator, or a bad ground

[White83 [OP]]

Cool thanks guys now I know the brake light comes on with it. Well, I've had the truck a year and there is some seriously RIGGED here and there. A nice clean up job and battery will probably do. My volt gauge always reads high so maybe there is something grounding out somewhere.

[79yota4x]

mine was my altenator plug had a bad connection

[White83 [OP]]

mine was my altenator plug had a bad connection

Thanks I'll check that out

[79yota4x]

welcome

[David]

I had the same issue in my 83,  both lights on. Turned out to be a ground wire was not grounding to the frame. It was located on the alt side of the engine.

[White83 [OP]]

Awesome I appreciate the info. I'll check it out asap and see if there are any loose connections and let you guys know.

[Mnmstoy]

If it's anything like my buddy's 82. The name slips my mind ( relay) It's located on the passenger side kick panel. Something like charge???lamp relay. Cost is around 80-100 new that I recall. He had the same problem. We picked one up at PNP and fixed his problem. It's either Black or Green case...It's been so long but I recall the same problem you have. If you closed the passenger side door hard enough it would either turn on the lights or off. 
Anyway, something to look at as well. We squeezed the relay it would kick the lights off and all was fine. Something was wrong with it.

[8D3TOY]

It's anything and everything.  Things that have triggered my Brake/charge combo on my 83, bad alt., various emissions related stuff, vacume switch, carburator out of adjustment, too rich, O2 sensor, and just yesterday choke not working.  I have an old school Toyota mechanic near me and he really knows 80's Toyotas he told me the charge/brake light is a check engine light so it may not be the charging or braking system at all.

[White83 [OP]]

It's anything and everything.  Things that have triggered my Brake/charge combo on my 83, bad alt., various emissions related stuff, vacume switch, carburator out of adjustment, too rich, O2 sensor, and just yesterday choke not working.  I have an old school Toyota mechanic near me and he really knows 80's Toyotas he told me the charge/brake light is a check engine light so it may not be the charging or braking system at all.

Wow thanks. The engine bay was left pretty nasty from the previous owner and I still have a lot of cleaning up to do. I'm sure the problem lies in there somewhere.

[brainlessfool]

mine's done it the whole time I've had it.10 years? does the pass. side door thing too.
I just don't care about it any more.