Charging / fuses

[sadarahu]

Thank you all for your time and advice.

OK, I looked the diagrams, but I don't think I will be able to locate all grounding points simply because there are to many of them, I have no tools, space and can't lift the car to look underneath.
In the meantime my horn went down again and the problem with charging is back again. So at this point no horn and charging Led is going On and Off. Usually when I start the engine the charging Led is ON, then when I drive for some time it comes OFF.

Here is few things I tested today:
1. Tested every single fuse (OK)
2. I pulled the 2 plugs from the fuse box under the hood and sprayed the with the contact cleaner
3. I pulled relays (3 on the passenger side and 2 on the driver side) cleaned the connectors and re-inserted.
4. I was also moving the cables (single wires) in the connectors plugs while friend of mine was observing the dashboard (if the charging will go off)
5. I cleaned battery connectors.
6. I cleaned alternator connections (the plug and the grounding cable)

Still no luck
I think I would need to go to some car shop, but I'm afraid to pick just any because most of them are simply poor quality and they take advantage of customers. I already have had one advising me to replace the alternator, but I doubt it is alternator causing the problem, as it seems to be related to the Horn as well. IT looks to me like it is connection problem. I'm on a limited budget now so I really hate to replace parts just to find out the problem is elsewhere.

QUESTION: If I have a computer tester connected - would it show any problems, or even possibly tell what is wrong ? My friend mechanic told me it will not but I do not trust his competence anymore...

Any recommended electric shop around Chicago OR shall I really go to Toyota dealer ?

Arthur

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by sadarahu

Thank you all for your time and advice.

OK, I looked the diagrams, but I don't think I will be able to locate all grounding points simply because there are to many of them, I have no tools, space and can't lift the car to look underneath.
In the meantime my horn went down again and the problem with charging is back again. So at this point no horn and charging Led is going On and Off. Usually when I start the engine the charging Led is ON, then when I drive for some time it comes OFF.

Here is few things I tested today:
1. Tested every single fuse (OK)
2. I pulled the 2 plugs from the fuse box under the hood and sprayed the with the contact cleaner
3. I pulled relays (3 on the passenger side and 2 on the driver side) cleaned the connectors and re-inserted.
4. I was also moving the cables (single wires) in the connectors plugs while friend of mine was observing the dashboard (if the charging will go off)
5. I cleaned battery connectors.
6. I cleaned alternator connections (the plug and the grounding cable)

Still no luck
I think I would need to go to some car shop, but I'm afraid to pick just any because most of them are simply poor quality and they take advantage of customers. I already have had one advising me to replace the alternator, but I doubt it is alternator causing the problem, as it seems to be related to the Horn as well. IT looks to me like it is connection problem. I'm on a limited budget now so I really hate to replace parts just to find out the problem is elsewhere.

QUESTION: If I have a computer tester connected - would it show any problems, or even possibly tell what is wrong ? My friend mechanic told me it will not but I do not trust his competence anymore...

Any recommended electric shop around Chicago OR shall I really go to Toyota dealer ?

Arthur

Not sure what you mean by a computer tester, but driving around with a lighter outlet multimeter measuring the battery voltage would be an easy way of seeing what is going on. You can pick one up at most auto parts stores:

[esse10]

It sounds like you might have a bad cell in your battery or your alternator is going out. Or it could be a combination of both causing problems. If your battery has not been replaced in 4-5 years than that is one of your problems for sure. The alternator should read 13-5 to 14.5 volts Dc when the motor is running. with the engine running put a digital meter on the battery and that proves the alternator is charging or not and if at anytime that voltage drops down than there's your problem. The horn problem could just be your connection it's known to come lose with vibration. Mine did a year ago I had to remove the bottom paneling and push up on the connector and the horn started working again.

[sadarahu]

OK, I got it fixed !
Removed alternator, opened and cleaned all connections.
Installed back and it is all fine. Even my horn works ;-)

This is thank to this article:

http://steampunkworkshop.com/toyota-...y-light-repair

so I hope this might be helpful in the feature for others.

Thank you all for your time.

Arthur