Road trip Gremlins - PLEASE HELP

So great to have a community like this to bounce things off of. Please excuse the long post.

I have a 2008 Tacoma V6 DCLB 4x4 with 170,000 miles.

2 months ago we were going camping and the battery light came on I knew it had to be something to do with the alternator. I giggled the green plug that goes into the side of the alternator and the light went out and the engine noise changed a bit which I assumed was the alternator coming back under load. The light didn't come on again until last night as we were driving to my parents house for the holidays.

So we were driving down the interstate and the battery light flickered, and then flickered more and then stayed solid. I pulled over giggled the green plug and the light went out and the engine noise pitch changed. Good to go! Back on the road, or so I thought. It seemed like every 10 mile the light would come on and would then go off when I giggled. Soon it was every 5 miles and the giggle turned into a smart rap with the flashlight on the back of the alternator by the voltage regulator. This carried on for 100 miles and at least 15 or 20 giggle/rap/tap stops. I had no choice, it was 11:00 PM in the middle of nowhere. We made our predetermined hotel stop by the hair on our chinny chin chin.

Here is the funny thing. We would have to drive numerous miles with the light on because the wife would not let me pull over on the side of the interstate, which I understand. The longest stretches being 5-10 miles with the lights, and heater on and the truck never faltered. Our home stretch into the hotel might have been 10 miles. But the truck started fine in the morning. I was surprised.

I went to Orieley bought an alternator. Before I put it in I stopped at a local auto repair shop and talked to the guy and got some advice. We were able to get the light to go out and measured the charged voltage and it read 14.2V, when the battery light was on the voltage still read 13.8, which is still pretty good. He convinced me that it would probably be fine. So we rolled the dice and went for it. We drove with the light on for about 125 mile, including a couple rest area bathroom breaks no issues. Then about 115 miles into the trip random lights came on, cruise stopped working and the truck started to falter and stranded us on the side of the interstate. SHIT!

Got it towed to a mechanic to put the alternator that I should have put on it in the first place. Here is the crappy thing. The guy changed the alternator but he said the battery light is still on and it is now only charging at 13.5 volts. Not very confidence inspiring considering this is worse than the situation that stranded us on the side of the interstate and cost me a $400 tow bill.
Help!

 

Did the garage load test the battery?

Auto parts stores sells replacement alternator wiring plug, if needed.

 

Sounds like a loose connection to me. I'd pull the plug, look for worn pins or corrosion, and clean appropriately.

And while under there, do a cursory inspection of the wiring for abnormal abrasion or wear.

 

Yeah its probably a bad connection at that 4 pin plug. Have a look. PULL THE PINS PROPERLY and gently push out the spring tab. Clean it up apply a lil dielectric grease.

 

I’m sorry op. Good luck!

 

Nope, they only sell them online.

 

Thanks! Stressful to say the least.

 

UPDATE
Only paid$243 to get the alternator put on which isn't bad. Better than doing it myself for the first time, in the freezing cold with my barely adequate travel tool kit.

The battery light is still on, but it doesn't sound like a huge deal as long as it is charging in the 13.5 to 14V range which it is, even with a bunch of accessories on full blast. I drove 55 minutes from the shop, and the battery is still fully charged. Mind you, I didn't run any accessories on the way to my destination just to make sure I got there. I feel pretty good about it, I really have no choice at this point. I bought a NOCO jumper box and a new battery, just in case. I willl probably return the battery when we finish our 10 hour road trip after Christmas. The battery in the truck is a red top, and tests just fine.

I will dig into the battery light issue when I get home as there's lots of good info on here and the internet.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

Mmm, I don’t think you can return batteries but glad to hear you’re rolling

 

Even completely unused, with the red cap still on it? It says nothing on the receipt about no returns.

 

Returning it at the same store and not used within… let’s say 72 hours, maybe but I was told no. I now have 5 batteries charged up at my house

 

You do understand with the light being on you have no idea if things fail again .

You will find yourself along the side of the road again.

Once the System Voltage falls below the thresh hold voltage the ECM shuts down.

You still have not fixed the problem.

Worse case get a Volt meter and wire it in to give you a warning to find shelter.

Best of Luck

 

You could be right. But if you search for "tacoma battery light" on Tacomaworld you will read about many examples of people who drive around with
the light on for extended periods of time without issue.
I hope I am in that group of people, at least until I can get home from this road trip. I am gonna dig in a bit deeper tomorrow to see if I can get that light off.

Great idea on the voltmeter.

 

Lots of clueless people as well

Not having any idea where you might be it might not be a big deal.

But a night in the truck at-50 F in West Yellowstone Montana I never take chances.

 

I don't know how accurate these are but it's easy to install.

 

Better then nothing If OP can find one where they are at.

 

We have a private owned part store that carry the alternator plug, in stock. It's quite popular item.

 

Here, Autozone used to carry them in store. I haven't been to Autozone in years. Since there's 5 autopart stores right next to each other.

 

I live in Tennessee, so yeah not as big of a deal. But still very inconvenient.

I kind of misread your message. Yes , I agree the battery light being on, no matter how innocuous, is far from ideal. You have no idea if you are having an issue until it is too late. I will be trying to get it to go out asap and I am going to get a volt gauge. Some very easy solutions for voltage gauges.

Just ordered a volt gauge on Amazon.

I found the plug online, but it doesn't help me now.

 

OK, got a one of thosecig lighter adapters with the voltage gauge and a NOCO 1000A jumper at Autozone. Gauge is showing 12.3V off and
14.1 when driving. Feel OK about that.

Lady at Autozone said can take that battery to any Autozone in the world and return it if I want! So I am going to hold onto it until I get home to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the help everyone.