Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

3.2Monty · * Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 34 Location: HERTS

Hi everyone, now and again the battery charge light and 4x4 light randomly illuminate together on the dashboard. When this fault occurs it doesn't actually go into four wheel drive and the 4x4 shift lever is all the way back in 2H where it should be and the volt gauge on the dash is saying 13V where it should be so the alternator is charging the battery all o.k.

Also I have replaced the alternator, belt and battery last year. has anyone had the same problem? If so what resolved it. The fault seems to go after a minute or so.

Regards David

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Rhanagar · Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 10:34 Post subject:

Check the belt isn't loose.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

wilbyhilbly · ** Joined: 24 Dec 2013 Posts: 74 Location: North Yorks

I have the same problem, battery light and 4x4 light came on and are now on every time I start, they don't go off even at high revs, I noticed the voltage meter has dropped to about 5 where it normally runs at 12/13volts.

Does this mean I need a new alternator? any advice gratefully received, Thank you.

Rhanagar · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 10:22 Post subject:

If it is a 3.1TD then I can almost guarantee the belt is loose. They often slip without noise. Also there isn't much adjustment left with the listed belts after they start to stretch. I would arm yourself with a new belt in case tightening it doesn't resolve the issue. When you go to adjust it double check you aren't just bending the adjuster bracket when you reach the end of adjustment.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

wilbyhilbly · ** Joined: 24 Dec 2013 Posts: 74 Location: North Yorks

Thank you, I'll try that.

wilbyhilbly · ** Joined: 24 Dec 2013 Posts: 74 Location: North Yorks

Right. after trying everything suggested I finally had to take it to the local garage who says it it definitely the alternator. so a new one is required.

What they want to know is if it is a 70amp or 90amp. can anyone help please as I haven't got any idea where to look to find out.

Rhanagar · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 11:40 Post subject:

The 2.8TD had a 50 amp .. the 3.1TD had an 80 amp. Both will fit. Both have a vacuum pump on the back.

The 3.0TD had a 90 amp, but won't fit either the 2.8TD or 3.1TD. Also it doesn't have a vacuum pump on the back.

The 3.2 V6 (petrol) had a 75 amp. That won't fit any of the above. Also it doesn't have a vacuum pump on the back.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

Rhanagar · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 11:44 Post subject:

Expect to pay around £100 for a new (remanufactured) one.

Replacement is about an hour, two at the most. Easiest to remove the A/C pump (leave hoses attached) and rest it on the battery tray. You can get to the alternator then from above.
_________________
1990 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.I 2.8TD Manual Lotus Edition
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto Lotus Edition

Deceased
1994 Isuzu Bighorn LWB Mk.II 3.1TD Auto LS

wilbyhilbly · ** Joined: 24 Dec 2013 Posts: 74 Location: North Yorks

Thanks very much for the info

3.2Monty · * Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 34 Location: HERTS

Hi everyone, I've still got the intermittent battery and 4x4 light illuminating every now and again. Bizarrely and possibly coincidentally, it seems to come on when braking hard and then changing direction, e.g braking at the bottom of the drive and then reversing up the drive, possibly a loose connection somewhere?

Also I tensioned the belt as I have always done on my cars, just with the usual 1/2inch slack on the longest run of the belt, does anyone know if this should be tighter on a 3.2 v6 Trooper/Monterey. I'm always a bit cautions with over tightening belts because I don't want to knock out the bearings of the alternator, fan unit e.t.c.

Many thanks for your help

David

3.2Monty · * Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 34 Location: HERTS

A year later and the intermittent illumination of the alternator light and the four wheel drive light has started coming on again intermittently. The fan belt seems tight enough, it had a new alternator fitted a couple of years ago which made no difference and when the lights are illuminated the alternator is still putting out 12/13 volts as usual.

I still think it seems to come on with breaking or swaying of the vehicle and then it goes off all of a sudden. Also I noticed yesterday the brightness of the illuminations started to fade to very faint as I was going down a steep hill and so was totally off the throttle, yet if I then apply the throttle the illuminations become brighter.

Anyone got any ideas? Thanks

moonoroof · *** Joined: 04 Feb 2007 Posts: 222 Location: IRELAND

I had a similar fault very recently on a 3.0 LWB Trooper.
I'd have a look at the 4WD switches/sensors on the front axle. examine closely for a broken wire or corrosion on the connections. In my case it was 2 broken wires.
It's stange, but that fault will make the battery light flicker.
Michael Smile

eithan h · Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 19:25 Post subject:

there was a service sheet for the wiring for the alternator specifically i think the blue and white wire that goes to the plug, might pay to give it a wiggle and see if it brings the light on

MadDogDean · * Joined: 07 May 2017 Posts: 16 Location: Philippines

An old resurrected thread that is right on time for me too!!

Just started having problems a week or so ago. Belt is tight - already checked.
When I start the truck, the three dash lights & 4x4 come on and will STAY on as long as it's idling. Power comes on as soon as I
a: Rev to above 2000 for a few seconds or
b: start driving off the carport and up the driveway, the first few bumps wakes it up!

If I am running around town and the engine is hot, the lights come on (and of course the AC goes OFF - which is a killer in the 30° Philippines heat). And them just as randomly the power will come on again.

But today it is different, if I am driving with the engine between 1500 - 2500 rpm, the power starts to surge. The power needle starts swaying like a metronome & I can even hear the ac fan (inside the truck) change from slow to fast to slow to fast - it's not an issue with the fan switch, it is definitely a power issue.

Getting an alternator here in the Philippines is like finding han's teeth, probably need to get one from UK or Aus. I am not opposed to replacing it, I just hate to wait for 3 weeks and it's not the issue.

On a side note, I thought maybe it was the Blue charging relay and the Isuzu dealer happened to have a *very dusty* NOS relay for 30USD. But when I pulled the blue replay in the fuse box it has a black base but the black relay has a blue base... I think something got reversed here at some point. Oh well, problem #273 added to the list Smile

If any of the Bighorn/Trooper gurus has any other advice I am all ears.

Cheers,
Dean