Dash Light and Flat Battery

[Cadbury]

Hi all,
I woke up this morning to come on to Landcruiser park to meet the others, but found my car would not start. A flat battery. I have never had a problem with the battery before. After I jump started the car, my sub tank, A/T temp and battery light stayed on. I drove around to charge the battery, but those lights stayed on. Every now and then my airbag light flashed for a while.

Help guys any ideas please.
Cheers
Tim

[Bob]

Disconnect the Battery for 30 Mins and reconnect. That should reset the ECU. If they still come on then you had better take to a mechanic.

[Cadbury]

Sorry the Title should read BATTERY, I must have fat finger trouble after playing under the bonnet all day.

[Bob]

bump read my answer above

[Cadbury]

Bob thanks for your rapid reply,
You think the battery is shot for die all of a sudden?

[Bob]

Bob thanks for your rapid reply,
You think the battery is shot for die all of a sudden?

It could be .Charge the Battery whilst disconnected from Vehicle and if it happens again get it checked by a Battery Specialist


I found that my 4.5 Gu does not like being Jump started and the last time it did not have any power on Petrol until I reset the ECU by disconnecting the Battery.

[big_fletch]

I would be getting battery checked and also if you have a set of meters check the charge rate..
Battery light staying on normally means the altenator isn't charging, also if alt isn't charging it can cause the sub tank light to come on as it gets a voltage signal from the alt to work..
When vehicle is running voltage should read between 13.2-14.4 volts.. Any lower than 13v and alt is not charging, any higher than 15v and it is overcharging and can cause damage to electronics if not looked at

[the evil twin]

Those light combinations are classic symptoms on a GU of Alternator charging issues... usually a blown diode or reg pack... anyway...

Check the battery Terminals are clean and tight, then with the vehicle off grab a multimeter and measure from + ve to -ve on the Battery and + ve to earth... should be the same if not you have earth issues

Start the truck and with no load (Headlights, Heater fan all turned off) check the Alternator output (as prev suggested by others) again across + ve to - ve, anything below 13.8 is getting suss and below 13.5 is unacceptable unless the Battery is dead flat

If the Alternator is OK (which I doubt if the terminals etc are OK) then check the battery hasn't dropped a cell... most auto sparkies will do the charging and battery capacity checks for free if you don't have the gear.

[Cadbury]

Hi all,
From what you have told me and the tests I have done it looks like the alternator as I get a reading of 12.6 across the battery and the same across the +ve and ground. When I start the car I am getting 12.3 across the battery and the same across the +ve and ground.
So how much is an alternator going to set me back?
Cheers
Tim

[YNOT]

You should be able to get an exchange alternator for about $250.

Tony

[Cadbury]

Thanks again for all the help guys

[fixer982]

The alternator is a Hitachi Part and a new one (not reconditioned) from the Parts Boys down here in SA cost me $365.00. It even had the Nissan logo on it, but came in a Hitachi Box. I had the exact same thing happen to mine after a jump start. That's why I now have 2 batteries. Nissan wanted $965 at one dealer and would you believe the rogues at Lakeside Nissan here wanted close to $1100. Always shop around for Nissan parts. Even dealers vary in price, at least here in SA.

[Cadbury]

I have booked the car in tomorrow to get it checked out. Hopefully they can repair it rather than replacing the whole thing.

[jbm bundy]

G'day mate. I have had exactly the same problem with my GU III 2004 patrol. Two days after I bought it, the battery died. Fortunately I was in Super Cheaps Carpark, so went and bought a new battery and fitted it (Battery not covered under vehicle warranty. Two days later, battery virtually dea. Sub tank light flickering along with handbrake light and battery indicator light. Rang the dealer. Ended up removing my new battery, taking it to the dealer for a quick recharge, refitted the battery and drove the Patrol to the dealership. After running some diagnostic checks, they said the alternator was gone, so a new one is being fitted under warranty. Should have the Patrol back tomorrow, hopefully problem solved. Hope this helps!

[Silver]

Hi all,
I woke up this morning to come on to Landcruiser park to meet the others, but found my car would not start. A flat battery. I have never had a problem with the battery before. After I jump started the car, my sub tank, A/T temp and battery light stayed on. I drove around to charge the battery, but those lights stayed on. Every now and then my airbag light flashed for a while.

Help guys any ideas please.
Cheers
Tim

Get a GQ, they can have the same problem, but with less lights!!!!! Really sorry to have missed you at LCMP - so close. Hope for next time.

Did you get a new alternator, or recon, Tim?

[Cadbury]

Hi all,
Yes it was the alternator. I put a new one in and all the lights are off and she is running good again.
Picked up a new alternator not a recon for $280.
Cheers for the help guys
Tim

[Bigrig]

Hi all,
Yes it was the alternator. I put a new one in and all the lights are off and she is running good again.
Picked up a new alternator not a recon for $280.
Cheers for the help guys
Tim

Good work mate - glad it's sorted!!

[the evil twin]

Hi all,
Yes it was the alternator. I put a new one in and all the lights are off and she is running good again.
Picked up a new alternator not a recon for $280.
Cheers for the help guys
Tim

Thats a pretty fair price for a new Alternator, Cobber

The Patrol Owners Manual should state that "if those 3 lights are on your Alternator is stuffed".

I've never heard of it being anything else but.

[Yendor]

Hi Tim,

That's a great price for a new alternator, I paid more then that getting mine repaired.

The replacement pulley for mine alone was a $100. (clutch type).

Where did you pick that up from?

Cheers Rodney