[Uturnent]

Peace everyone,

I'm pretty sure it's my alternator but just thought I would share anyway before I set out to change it. I have 2006 Rav4 140k miles and the other day I turned the car on and the red battery light was on I thought nothing of it and went up to the street. Side note it was the second day of this local heatwave 98-100 degrees in Washington DC. I drove up to the street and saw that I was losing power so I pulled over and the car shut off and I got nothing when I tried to turn the key. I left it and came back the next day and all that worked was the door unlock. So I jumped the car it started but then shut back off. I took the battery out and had auto zone check it they said it was leaking acid so they gave me a new one (it was under warranty). Put the new battery in and the car started but that light was still on. I was only a mile or so from home but when I did get home the car shut off again. I would start again but then shut off within a min. I used a Metter to check the current and I got 12.4 both when it was off and on. I was reading on this form that if it's not going to 14.6 then you need a new alternator. I did also check the fuses as well the 140 Atl fuze didn't look blown so I'm open to any help anyone could offer me to as I think I am just going to replace the alternator but I'm open to other ideas before I pay $200+ for a new alternator.

 

[JKrew]

Some others may have good other good input, but to me this does sound like the alternator is bad.

 

[@2011rav4]

 

[Uturnent]

Some others may have good other good input, but to me this does sound like the alternator is bad.

Right I’m pretty sure as well just thought I would hop on here and ask the experts before I fully committed lol. Thanks for the response. Stay well my friend!

 

[kevcules46]

One quick try to verify that the alternator is bad also is to start the engine , then remove the negative terminal while running. If the engine shuts off, alt is bad.
You can always have your alternator rebuilt. Your mileage isn't extremely high so it may be something relatively cheap to fix........Good luck

 

[JuneBug]

One quick try to verify that the alternator is bad also is to start the engine , then remove the negative terminal while running. If the engine shuts off, alt is bad.

I've been told that this is a bad idea on modern cars. Pulling the battery cable while the engine is running can damage the engine computer (ECM).

 

[kevcules46]

Possibly Junebug, but I've heard the same about boosting another car with a newer car is a no no also. Every one still does it though....I'll still try it if I encounter that problem and report back.

 

[ravenuer]

If you hook up the jumper cables correctly, there should be no problem. For some reason, some people seem to want to reverse them which is the "kiss of death"!

 

[kevcules46]

If you hook up the jumper cables correctly, there should be no problem. For some reason, some people seem to want to reverse them which is the "kiss of death"!

For sure, but a few car shops tried to tell me that even if you do it properly, your car's electronics could fail. I'm sure it's possible but.....

 

[Uturnent]

For sure, but a few car shops tried to tell me that even if you do it properly, your car's electronics could fail. I'm sure it's possible but.....

well, I did it by the time you posted this LOL. But I defiantly appreciate the heads up.