2017 Taco Battery Always Dead

Alternator doesn't kick in until 35mph? Can anyone else verify? On the 2nd gens as well as every other car or machine I've worked on the alternator outputs 13.5-14.8V as soon as that fucker starts up.

 

I have a 2nd gen and was seeing the same thing. Noticed once I put a meter in the truck that the power from the alternator just isn't enough. Alternator tested fine though. So I went to singer alternators.com and got a mod harness and now it sees over 14v all the time and charges the battery much faster.

-PYROTACO

 

Yea, I didnt want to complicate shit in this thread.. But that sounds like BS to me. I know the regulator circuit is slightly different in the 3rd gens from the 2nd gens, but as soon as that thing spins it should be pushing electrons

 

huh... my factory battery out lasted my frame. nearly 10 years....

toyota replacement will be 4 years in a couple of months.

 

I think the dealer is trying somethings, OEM batteries suck. But not that bad. i would get a second diagnosis, but that does cost money. I think the 35mph thing is crap, unless someone can provide some proof. if a prius can charge the battery at low speed, why doesnt a taco?

 

Should be operating from startup. My guess is low output from the alternator restricted by the computer. The wire I got overrides that issue.

 

According to both Right Toyota and Camelback Toyota, the 3rd gen alternators don't kick in until about 45 mph to save gas. Sounds like a great future for commuters but b******* for City drivers.

 

Tell me more about overriding the alternator limitations.

 

Save gas? Batteries are like 150 bucks! Fuck that.

 

Well I guess not running the alternator at low speed does reduce the use of gas, but makes this truck a POS for my driving situation.

 

Isn't a 2017 a 3rd gen? Just asking...

 

I still don't think thats right. Does the alternator have a clutch on the pulley? Its true that an alternator puts out more voltage at higher rpm, but you should be getting like 13.2 or more at idle. Enough to maintain the battery and run accessories.

 

Yes 2017 is a 3rd, but I was saying on every other vehical I know of the alternator outputs more than battery voltage as soon as the engine fires up. Its a direct belt driven pully straight off the crank pulley. As far as I know theres no clutch on that pulley to disconnect it from the engine and also that would be a dumb design. Have you checked your belt tensioner?

 

cool. that's rare y'know.

 

The pulley on the alternator itself could also be loose. Or the alternator is bad. Or a bad ground somewhere between the alternator and the battery. Your battery sould be being charged when the truck is running. 10 miles a day is not enough to charge the battery completley, but it should still last maybe 2 years at least if you aren't running the radio with the engine off all the time.

 

it probably has to do with the start/stop system

 

How do I turn these alternator limitations off? I'd like something to override, the alternator and also maybe override that mushy gas pedal.

 

While I'm not the least bit handy as a mechanic, I have had 3 dealerships inspect the vehicle and told me its working as designed. 2 of the dealerships simply told me the alternator is working just fine while engaged.

 

With the radio disconnected is the truck working without having to jump it?