battery not charging

can anyone explain why a battery might not be charging on a 2y petrol townie.
my battery was replaced about 3 years ago. lately it was appearing not to hold a charge (although the 'magic eye' window on the battery stills shows green) so townie would not turn over. i have changed it for 2 other batteries (ok, old ones but removed as good from other vehicles i have scraped) and they will not charge on the vehicle.
the townie starts first time with a jump or a very short push. once started - all electrics work fine so alternator is working.
i have checked ace handbook and wiring diagram shows 3 leads (apart from starter) on +ve. mine only has 2 - green and blue - diagram shows inline fuse and fusible link - where would they be (and what is the difference between a fuse and a fusible link)?
but then again all electrics work when started. do alternators output for the general circuit and output for the charging circuit (which could be why there are seperate cables on the battery)?
the two batteries i have used where completly flat before use - after running for 1 hour - both where still completly flat so i am thinking it is a fuse because even a low voltage would have put something back into the battery - wouldn't it?
thanks



- (#12257) Paul Thompson, 22 Jul 04 05:33

The wiring is different on the spacecruiser petrol version, assume same for Townace. Have a look at the US Toyota Vans site (banner at top of Ace Answers) it has the US petrol based wiring diagram which may help.
Also on previous posts there is an easy test for alternator output. Have you got a battery outlet who can check the charge rate and battery health?

- (#12257) Clive (Bristol), 22 Jul 04 06:11

Yes, I can get to a battery outlet. Was going to do that but with 2 other batteries not charging up I thought it must be something in the vehicle.

I will look at US Toyota now - thanks.

- (#12257) Paul, 22 Jul 04 06:58

This may help http://www.mpvi.net/im/rm289e92/ewd/01charge.gif

- (#12257) Dave Mason (Sussex), 22 Jul 04 07:57

excellant maintenance manual on us site in tips and tricks section - thanks clive.

dave, looked at that image before. the us manaul pdf is prob what i need - only 2 wires from the battery.

the alternator is definatly producing power. it's my wifes vehicle but i have had to swop vehicles with her beciuse of this fault start townie with jump leads or push in morning , i go to work - radio, aircon, radio etc - fine - aslong as i don't stall it - battery does not charge one bit. park on a slope all day then coast start at night to come home.

there is a link between the battery and alternator - terminal b - i will have to check connituity between them in case a fusiable link has failed - still dont know diff between one of them and a fuse! - or indeed how i need to replace it if it has failed. the us manual gives all sorts of testing procedures.

alternators - it appears that there are two(or more?) outputs - am i correct in assuming that - why not just one?



- (#12257) Paul, 22 Jul 04 08:34

Power to run the engine, and power to recharge the battery. All sorted out by the regulator, possible failure there?
Fuseable link is a huge fuse unlikely to have blown if once started all is fine.
A nice description of the difference anyone?

- (#12257) Clive (Bristol), 22 Jul 04 10:25

a fusible link on this occasion is a huge fuse- the links provide overall protection to whole areas of the circuitry, fuses then protecting specific circuits.

a japanese foible, i believe- they've used short lengths of wire with a spade on each end as fusible links for years- i recall my parents having a 1974 datsun cherry and it had three or four of these wire links beside the battery- one for each headlamp (damned japanese earth switched system...) and a couple ofr the other stuff on the car iirc...

- (#12257) David Miller, 22 Jul 04 15:46

Thank you David.

- (#12257) Clive (Bristol), 23 Jul 04 01:00

All sorted now. A combination of a few things. Not a fusable link...but there is a connector just outside of the battery compartment - it was the return of 14v from the regulator - it was BADLEY corroded - so bad it fell apart. Fixed this. The battery (plus the other 2 I tried) - were knackered. So off I trot to get new battery. Don't need large battery - vehicle not used to power anything when engine not running. 50A battery - £45 localy or £23 at Costco - Bosch as well. Very pleased. Thans for your help - yet again.
- (#12257) Paul, 2 Aug 04 11:01