Toyota Tundra electrical issue?

[Xi Bowhunter]

Stay with me on this one. It is kind of hard to explain.

I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The past couple of days, I have noticed the clock and transmission position indicator light (PRDN12) will dim for no apparent reason. These lights do dim when the headlights are turned on, but I didn't have my lights on at the time. They seem to dim sporadically, for no reason.

Today, I noticed that a couple of times, when I would turn and use my turn signal, the lights would dim and brighten in sync with the turn signal. It did not do this every time I used my turn signal.

I am just concerned about a potential electrical problem that may leave me stranded.

Any thoughts on what this could be?

 

[Manzanita]

Seems like I remember on older vehicles when that would happen it would indicate a bad voltage regulator... or even a loose alternator belt. Nowadays, I'm not so sure.

One thing you should check although it's probably not the source of your trouble. Squirrels really seem to like whatever the wiring harness sheaths are made of. On my 2003 Tundra, one morning I got in it and about half the electrical stuff didn't work at all (blower motor, indicator lights, etc.) and I found my wiring harness under the hood chewed nearly completely in half. Fixed it with a box of butt splices, some extra wire, and loads of electrical tape, but it was a laborious undertaking. Faced with the price of a new harness, however, it was time well spent.

After that I put a small length of pantyhose with some mothballs in it under the hood. Seems to keep rodents from building nests.

 

[rarebreed]

check your battery,I had trouble with the clock and radio station settings in a camry but the car would start. Then it got to where it would not start right away. Had the battery checked and it was bad.

 

[Xi Bowhunter]

check your battery,I had trouble with the clock and radio station settings in a camry but the car would start. Then it got to where it would not start right away. Had the battery checked and it was bad.

The battery is less than a year old. I wouldn't think it would be the battery, but that would be easy enough to check.

 

[trust me]

Ever had the alternator replaced? (Do Toyotas have the regulator built in the alternator?) First thing I'd check.

 

[baknblack]

I second the alternator. First check the voltage with a meter while it's running. Should be around 14 volts DC. Then flip the meter to AC. Shouldn't have more than 2 or 3 volts AC. An alternator putting out too much AC voltage can fry your computer.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[rarebreed]

the battery in question wasn't old, maybe a year if that

 

[Cornpile]

Alternator

 

[jeepndeer]

Not sure about the problem beyond what others have said, you might try on Tacomaworld.com. Obviously Tacoma oriented, but worth a shot.

 

[Xi Bowhunter]

Can they test an alternator at places like Autozone and O'Rileys?

 

[jblack1]

Can they test an alternator at places like Autozone and O'Rileys?

Yes, they can test them.

 

[Xi Bowhunter]

Well, I don't know where to start now. I have researched the heck out of this issue with no results. I am taking it over to have the alternator checked today.

A new issue has started now. If I push down the brakes, even with the key out of the ignition, the dash lights will come on very dimly.

 

[inchr48]

Check your fuse block, both inside the cab and the opposite side (in the engine compartment). Years ago, I had one melt down on a GMC van. Before it went totally, I was getting strange electrical problems due to the short. Good luck, I hate electrical problems.

 

[Xi Bowhunter]

I talked to a mechanic today, and told him what was going on. He seems to think I have a ground issue.

I have noticed, that when the dash lights and clock light blink with the turn signal, it is only when I use the turn signal turning left.

Anybody have any other ideas after that info?

 

[Zeb]

I talked to a mechanic today, and told him what was going on. He seems to think I have a ground issue.

I have noticed, that when the dash lights and clock light blink with the turn signal, it is only when I use the turn signal turning left.

Anybody have any other ideas after that info?

Is the steering column adjustable? If so, try to move it up or down and see if the symptoms change. Sounds silly but it worked on my son's wrangler when the turn signals and a marker light were acting up. I never found the problem but assume a wire was skinned, loose or pinched somewhere