alternator?

[wtb]

ok, sometimes while i’m driving, usually when i'm taking off (therefore low revs) the battery light on the dashboard flashes. and in time with the flashing there’s a clunking/clicking coming from the rear passenger side.

it doesn't happen consistently though. on the way home today it did at the lights as i was taking off then it didn't do it again. it will do it some days and not others? weird huh

i've been told this is most probably the alternator? what do you guys think?
heard of this problem before?

it's a 1983 corolla dx with a 4k in it

thanks alot! any help appreciated

[deaf_rattle]

try the plug, failing that check to see if the belt is tight.
if it still does it might be something wrong with one of the components in the alternator

[event2]

duno bout noises from back. but alternator brushes could be work, or slipping belt. blowen diode in rectifier and its jst charging enuf to keep warning light out when cruzing. having ne trouble starting?

[event2]

second thort take it to a auto electriction they do free battery and alternator test on car. well we do at work anyway

[Stealer Of Souls]

Those tests are interesting... They often won't pick up intermittent/minor faults...
The test came back to me that the alternator and battery was fine on my car... but it turns out that the alternator was JUST healthy enough to appear fine to the simple test they do for the public....
The best way is to monitor the voltage as you cruise... I now know that a good healthy alternator will be able to maintain a full 14.8ish Volts regardless of what you do except at really low revs... ie less than 800rpm will have the voltage drop...
I watched the meter in my car and used to see the voltage go anywhere from 12ish to 15ish all the time... battery went low on charge after a couple of days... then my alternator packed a sad... got it fixed... now it holds 15V even with the aircon on, headlights fullbeam, indicators flashing and foot on brake... it only ever dips low when the revs drop to around 800rpm or less... Battery seems to last better too... after two days it started like a dream...

[wtb]

thanks for input guys!

nah no trouble starting, the battery is pretty damn new so yeh. hmm i might see how difficult it is to replace it. my mate has a corolla that i can take off what i want

[event2]

those tests arnt accurate? HUH u probably got a mechanic to test your car. if done corectly it will be picked up by an auto sparky

[matt dunn]

Common on early toyota alt's.
Brushes will be worn out. Sometimes they contact sometimes they dont and the clicking will be the regulator as they are mechanical on the old ones.

[wtb]

ahhh ok. so can you get them reconditioned? or should i just get a new one out of a later model corolla?

by the way the clunking/clicking noise isnt coming from the back its coming from the engine bay (probly the alternater )

thanks for input guys!

[deaf_rattle]

sorry event2 but stealer of souls is right.
the tests the auto sparkies do dont pick up minor or intimitent faults.

[Stealer Of Souls]

My test was done by an auto E. Yep... alternator wasn't dead enough to accurately detect... Was so minor the only way to have know was to check current drawn when car was off... and even then I'm not sure if you would've really noticed...