New Battery/Alternator Not charging (much)

This topic was covered in the 1st Gen Forum in 2020 but I'm not sure how well it translates to 2nd Gen Tacos.

Here is my situation.

2006 Tacoma Prerunner 4.0 V6 auto trans w/tow package. 444k miles.

I installed a new battery because the old battery was shot. Now, my cigarette-lighter plug voltmeter shows 13.2v when the truck is driving down the road with the AC running. 12.5v at the battery when turned off (with my multimeter).
As I'm 60+ yrs old, all of my life I'm used to seeing 14v on voltmeters when running.

I picked up a remanufactured Denso alternator for my truck and installed it (what a pain!). Nothing changed. Still have the same voltage readings.

On the post I mentioned at the beginning from the 1st Gen Forum, people were talking about the green plug and 3 wires coming out of the alternator going to a fuse block? They were saying that the culprit usually lies in those wires. Does this sound familiar to anyone? If it is, they say it goes into a box under the fuse box. Which fuse box? The one under the dash by the drivers left knee or the one under the hood on the driver side?

Does anyone know of a link, a video, some photos, etc. that might help decipher this?

I really hate (and suck at) automotive electrical so any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Batteries should be 12.4-12.6 off.

Modern vehicles should be 13-14.4 running.

 

Take a reading at the battery with AC and lights off and engine revved up to at least 1500 rpm. At idle the alternator puts out less volts and amps. Before assuming there is a problem, collect some good data first.

 

This
2nd gens run around 13.2-14.4 depending on temperature, higher temps = lower charging voltage.

 

It is an '06
The alternator may have gone out
By any small chance you know if any like WD-40 or oil, lub of any kind has gotten in bindings of the alternator?

 

Alright. I took the multimeter out. The following readings are measured at the pos and neg posts on the battery.

Truck off (after having driven around town today.) 12.7v
Truck on and running (at idle)13.4v
Truck on and running (at idle) with radio, AC, lights on 13.3v

I am by myself so I don't have anyone to press down on the throttle until later this evening.

Ambient outside air temp at time of measurement 105F (I live outside of Phoenix AZ)

Is this low? Or am I good?

 

Its a "new" (remanufactured Denso) alternator that I just installed yesterday. The battery is new as well, it was installed early last month.

 

If it means anything, the "Charging System light" (battery symbol) on the dash does light up when the key is turned to ignition. When engine is running it goes off.

But there are no codes showing or other lights showing on the dash.

 

Perfectly normal, mine stays 13.2-13.4 on a warm day. Has since it was new.

 

I have this chart. 12.7 puts you at 80%, which is ok. Look at column E, 12s meaning 12v static. Column F is for load testing.

 

Sounds like I'm OK, and maybe I should ditch the "Jungle website" digital voltmeter/ USB charge port that plugs into cigarette lighter?

 

Ignore the Amazon voltage reading.
I too have been a victim of “shitty” products.
Cheap garbage does one of two things.

Creates a problem.
Or has you looking for a problem that doesn’t exist.

 

With those numbers, I don't really think you have a problem. Heat and high temps influence the numbers as much, (down) if not more than when cold.

I have had several cars with factory volt meters/gauges and they all indicated higher voltage readings in the winter verses summer, soon after initial the initial start-up and warm up. Turn on everything you can in the truck, including fan on high speed, lights in high-beam, AC, etc. and check the numbers again. They should be very close to what you see with everything off. The alternator and battery should be able to handle the load and maintain the voltage.

 

I’m having the same problem. Instead of talking about voltage and amps, does anyone have an answers to his actual question. How may wire are connected to the alternator post and where is the fuse bloc. I know that the fuse block is separate from the two fuse boxes he mentions.

 

Not sure what your question is?
The charging system description & operation as well as wire colors and pin designations can be found in the post below.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-information-diagnostics.784008/#post-28042155

 

Thanks. That helps