DplanDman8

Ok ive had my Coach Edition Es for about 2 years now and she has been nothing but good to me but i recently installed a volt meter just to see how much voltage the system would pull and i saw something that i think is not good.

With the sound system off
Volts read 13.2 - 13.5 when im driving
Volts read 12.3 - 12.6 at idle

With the sound system on
Volts read 12.8 - 13.1ish when im driving
Volts read 11.8 - 12.65 at idle

The battery is brand new and these test have been don with a/c off and sound system and anything else i could think that would pull volts. From what i know i thought that an alternator would charge around 13.9 - 14.5 when driving and sit around 13ish at idle correct me if im wrong. but does it sound like my alternator is going bad or is bad? and can i replace it with the highlander 130 amp alternator? and is it a straight bolt up sense its the same motor?

also my key sometimes when i push the lock or unlock button it doesnt lock or unlock and ive already replaced the batteries to see if it was that and it didnt help and also i have to stand with in like 5ft of my car for it to work and even then sometimes it still wont lock or unlock. and ideas on what it could be?

Any help would be great thanks.

JSM

I would check the voltage right at the alternator because it's so easy to get at. THis will tell you two things. If the voltage is the same at the Alt as it is at the battery then most likely the alt is bad. If it's different then most likely something inf the wiring.

That aside does everything seem okay? What made you go through this.

DplanDman8

Ok i checked at the Alternator and its the same prb. i guess its bad?

and ya it seems to drive ok with the volt drop it almost feels like it has a slow throttle response now? is that normal with low voltage??

and idk im really into sound systems and i have a really loud one in my car right now and lights dim on the inside not my head lights because i have HIDs so i put in a volt meter to see what the volts were at and i saw the big drop.

an do you know anything about the key prb.??

BTW thanks for the help

hypervish

As far as the key goes, when you hit one of the buttons on the key does the light go on, or no? If it doesn't then follow this DIY: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...-contacts.html

DplanDman8

No the light still blinks every time i click it. Its just it doesnt work like i click the unlock and it doesnt unlock or i click the lock and it doesnt lock. it works sometimes and other times it wont. But in general i have to b like with in 5ft of the car for it to work and even then sometimes it wont work.

JSM

Do you have the other Key fob to see if it behaves the same way? I would think maybe it's going bad.

Also, I think a lot of parts stores carry battery / alt checkers where they can hook it to the car and see if its good or bad and usually it's free.

It's not too hard to get off and a bench test using their machine is probably the best test.

DplanDman8

Ok Thanks guys for yalls help also does anyone know if the highlander alternator is a straight plug and play sense its the same motor just different car??