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I’m not sure if a 92 4Runner has an internal tranny cooler like the 3rd generation 4runners do, but if it does, then you probably destroyed your transmission. Karl mentioned looking for a pink tinge in your coolant and he’s right on the money.
The problem with internal transmission coolers is that when the metal tubing that carries the transmission fluid inside the radiator gets corroded enough, it leaks into the radiator and mixes with the coolant then gets sucked into the transmission and causes a failure. In the 4Runner circle, this is called a “pink milkshake” and it is absolutely dreaded! Once this occurs, you will see what appears to look like a pink foam in your radiator…hence the term pink milkshake.
If you caught it at the first sign of transmission failure (i.e., transmission slipping) you might be able to get a tranny flush to remove contaminated ATF fluid as well as a new radiator and radiator flush and be on your way.
However, If you didn’t catch it in time…then you are looking at a rebuild or replacement of the transmission.
External transmission coolers like the B&M 70264 or 70268 are the way to go to avoid this in the future. This ensures that the ATF and coolant have no possible way to mix. You could also replace your old radiator periodicly too.Old 4runners go forever, so they encounter problems like this that most vehicles never see since they get scrapped at or before 200k.
Ok so it took a while to get back to this issue of the UFO 4Runner. I wanted to update this thread so anyone else who may experience this issue, can find a solution as I have.
While annoying as hell, this issue took a back seat to other more pressing issues that were safety related (tires, brakes and steering rack stuff). Finally got back around to this and decided after not finding any vac leaks or frayed/loose wires…to just replace the alternator.
Problem solved. No more flashing lights and loping idle.
Point of interest is that the alternator was checked by the parts store and they said it was fine. Well, obviously it wasn’t. Don’t always trust what the parts store tells you. The alternator tested in the ok range, but it was still far from working properly.
[quote=”IGS4Dragon8″ post=121941]look at the o2 connectors, had a 97 rodeo do this, both banks were hooked up backwards[/quote]
I’m not sure what O2 connectors you are referring to or where I would find them. But I’m willing to look into them if I can find them.
[quote=”IGS4Dragon8″ post=121941]look at the o2 connectors, had a 97 rodeo do this, both banks were hooked up backwards[/quote]
I’m not sure what O2 connectors you are referring to or where I would find them. But I’m willing to look into them if I can find them.
[quote=”tomatofarmer1″ post=121938]While everyone is rightly looking at the alternator, I haven’t heard anyone address the loping engine issue here. A bad alternator won’t cause this symptom to my knowledge. I’m just saying, as suggested previously you may heed to look beyond the alternator. You might have more than one thing going on..[/quote]
The lope coincides with the battery light flashing (when it flashes) and the lights dimming. Could this be a case of what comes first—the chicken or the egg? Is the pulse causing the engine to lope or is the loping engine causing the pulse by temporarily slowing the alternator?
I haven’t the foggiest idea. I’ve yet to get a chance to check for vac leaks, but could this be the root cause or is that unlikely?
[quote=”tomatofarmer1″ post=121938]While everyone is rightly looking at the alternator, I haven’t heard anyone address the loping engine issue here. A bad alternator won’t cause this symptom to my knowledge. I’m just saying, as suggested previously you may heed to look beyond the alternator. You might have more than one thing going on..[/quote]
The lope coincides with the battery light flashing (when it flashes) and the lights dimming. Could this be a case of what comes first—the chicken or the egg? Is the pulse causing the engine to lope or is the loping engine causing the pulse by temporarily slowing the alternator?
I haven’t the foggiest idea. I’ve yet to get a chance to check for vac leaks, but could this be the root cause or is that unlikely?
[quote=”college man” post=121718]With the battery light flickering That tells me that your alternator is
not putting out the proper voltage. If its an aftermarket alternator that
most likely your problem. see if this link helps further.http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-electrical-problems
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-performance-issues%5B/quote%5D
[quote=”wysetech” post=121723]Looks to me like a voltage regulator problem and I believe the regulator is inside of the alternator on that vehicle.[/quote]
I haven’t yet had a chance to check for vacuum leaks. I did however pick up a multimeter for $6 at Harbor Freight.
I tested the battery with the engine off and it read 12.5v. I then tested the alternator with the engine running and it was bouncing quite a bit. In the attached 10 second video it ran from about a low of 13.35v to a high of 14.16v.
Is that normal? I’ve never tested an alternator so I have now clue really if it should fluctuate nearly a volt at idle and so quickly. Seems like it’s pulsing in the same way as the lights.
Is this a good indication that either the alternator is screwy or that the voltage regulator is unable to regulate voltage properly?
[quote=”college man” post=121718]With the battery light flickering That tells me that your alternator is
not putting out the proper voltage. If its an aftermarket alternator that
most likely your problem. see if this link helps further.http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-electrical-problems
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-performance-issues%5B/quote%5D
[quote=”wysetech” post=121723]Looks to me like a voltage regulator problem and I believe the regulator is inside of the alternator on that vehicle.[/quote]
I haven’t yet had a chance to check for vacuum leaks. I did however pick up a multimeter for $6 at Harbor Freight.
I tested the battery with the engine off and it read 12.5v. I then tested the alternator with the engine running and it was bouncing quite a bit. In the attached 10 second video it ran from about a low of 13.35v to a high of 14.16v.
Is that normal? I’ve never tested an alternator so I have now clue really if it should fluctuate nearly a volt at idle and so quickly. Seems like it’s pulsing in the same way as the lights.
Is this a good indication that either the alternator is screwy or that the voltage regulator is unable to regulate voltage properly?
[quote=”tomatofarmer1″ post=121789]Here you yo on the possible vacuum leak…I do recommend water in a spray bottle to be safe though…[/quote]
Thanks, that’s what I saw my friend do.
[quote=”tomatofarmer1″ post=121789]Here you yo on the possible vacuum leak…I do recommend water in a spray bottle to be safe though…[/quote]
Thanks, that’s what I saw my friend do.
[quote=”MDK22″ post=121785]Both autozone and pepboys have been known to have issues with doa dead on arrival alternators. Once you find a good one from them though they work like a champ. I also agree with wysetech and collegeman though I would say just check the bolt tightness on the alternator and on the battery terminals first simple check and is someone is moving to fast or simply forgot you will have the same issues from a loose connection. If it is not that then ya bad alternator.[/quote]
I checked the connections and they seemed tight.
I’m hoping if it’s the alternator, that AutoZone will uphold the lifetime warranty.
[quote=”MDK22″ post=121785]Both autozone and pepboys have been known to have issues with doa dead on arrival alternators. Once you find a good one from them though they work like a champ. I also agree with wysetech and collegeman though I would say just check the bolt tightness on the alternator and on the battery terminals first simple check and is someone is moving to fast or simply forgot you will have the same issues from a loose connection. If it is not that then ya bad alternator.[/quote]
I checked the connections and they seemed tight.
I’m hoping if it’s the alternator, that AutoZone will uphold the lifetime warranty.
[quote=”tomatofarmer1″ post=121775]Well, my answer may be unconventional because of a prior experience. You will get no better/ more knowledgeable help from people like College Man and Wysetech. I had a similar issue once, including the lights dimming with the pulse. I discovered this was due to a vacuum leak. After it was addressed all these symptoms disappeared. I honestly cannot say why the lights dimming with the loping was part of the symptom. I can only theorize that alternator was not spinning sufficiently thus causing minor voltage fluctuations. Best of luck…[/quote]
Interesting! I saw a friend once hunt around for a vaccum leak by spraying carb cleaner (I think) around suspected areas.
I think that would be an interesting and inexpensive thing to try. I suppose if I find a leak, I should plug it and see if the idle flattens out?
[quote=”tomatofarmer1″ post=121775]Well, my answer may be unconventional because of a prior experience. You will get no better/ more knowledgeable help from people like College Man and Wysetech. I had a similar issue once, including the lights dimming with the pulse. I discovered this was due to a vacuum leak. After it was addressed all these symptoms disappeared. I honestly cannot say why the lights dimming with the loping was part of the symptom. I can only theorize that alternator was not spinning sufficiently thus causing minor voltage fluctuations. Best of luck…[/quote]
Interesting! I saw a friend once hunt around for a vaccum leak by spraying carb cleaner (I think) around suspected areas.
I think that would be an interesting and inexpensive thing to try. I suppose if I find a leak, I should plug it and see if the idle flattens out?