Silly battery light on and off

Howdy,

My battery light was on this morning when I was driving to my destination. Dropped off my lady friend and I had to take a massive dump so I stopped at a clean grocery store to drop this load. Got back in my tacoma and the light when off. The light has been going on and off, but mostly staying on.

I cleaned the terminals and the light is still on. Went to Advance Auto Parts, they tested my battery and it is good, they did their half ass alternator test, said it's good.

What do you think it maybe? My Tacoma runs well still, AC full blast, music is good and it starts up normal.

I had the dealership replace it, buuuuut with a crappy Advance Auto Parts alternator. I was impatient cause I wanted my Tacoma back since it was getting an engine replacement and I had to wait forever.

I knew this would potentially bite me in the ass, but I suspect my alternator is the culprit.

I don't want to take my Tacoma back to the dealership for the billionth time, which has been the case.

I'm thinking of just changing it out, but I may go to a local ma and pa shop to have them inspect the wiring just in case.

What are ya'll generous folks thoughts?

 

The battery light does not come on because of a bad battery (unless you have several shorted cells), but rather an insufficient alternator output. Measure your DC terminal voltage with the engine at idle, and with engine at idle with AC and headlights on. Should have at least 13.8V

 

Here have you, perform the following and report back.

 

Confused what the grocery store did to deserve that punishment?
Confused why that really has anything to do with this story at all??
Confused as to why you got a new engine..?
Confused why your truck has been to the dealership so many times.....


If your truck really did get a new engine, maybe something was left unhooked?

 

You sound like a real turd.

 

Simple belt issues can cause intermittent problems as well, so be sure to check the tension and the idler pulleys before diving in the alternator.

And of course the basic testing that @6 gearT444E recommends.

But thanks for the detail on choosing a clean grocery store. I'm sure they appreciated your time spent with them as well.

 

I’m going with the cheap AdvancedAuto replacement alternator.
I’m not one that believes all parts have to be OEM.
But with all the stories of failed aftermarket alternators, I’d recommend the OEM replacement.
Which I believe is a Denso.

 

I'm erring on the side of it being the cheap advance auto part. I can easily replace it myself and I had them do it cause they would do it with no labor charge so I thought why not.

Now I am in a weird loop hole between the dealership and advance auto for the warranty on the crappy part.

Advance auto says to go to the dealer, the dealer says I need to bring it in, but no openings till late next week. I was suppose to go on a desert road trip today, but want this fixed before I head out y'onder.

I may need to not leave this week and order from RockAuto and bite the damn bullet and pay the dumb tax for not going against what I read on Tacomworld.

 

Took a dump this morning. Thought for a minute I perforated my rectum. We’re good