From: mcdonaldjc@verizon.net   
      
   Thanks for suggestions:   
   The alternator is original, (as is everything else but fluids, tires, brake   
   pads and the throttle positioning sensor).  Charge indicator does illuminate   
   when I turn key on before starting, but has not yet ever lit during one of   
   my episodes.  I'll stay off highways and below 60 till I sort this out.   
   Fortunately, it is manual trans and I can control potential skidding with   
   application of clutch.  I'll give an update after some more thought and   
   investigation tomorrow.   
      
   Thanks again   
      
   "Anyolmouse"  wrote in message   
   news:Y5fZm.10091$Gf3.313@newsfe18.iad...   
   >   
   > "JMc"  wrote in message   
   > news:hh3m07$7cl$1@news.eternal-september.org...   
   >> My 1997 4Runner with 203,000 miles has begun exhibiting a strange   
   > problem   
   >> that seems to be electrical.  While driving the engine stumbles, the   
   > brake   
   >> light on the dash comes on, then in most cases the engine catches   
   > again, the   
   >> brake light goes out and I drive on.  So far it has never actually   
   > stalled   
   >> the engine entirely, but I've lost power to a dangerous extent.  Often   
   > this   
   >> happens two, three, as many as six times in succession before it seems   
   > to   
   >> clear.  I've noticed a high-pitched small motor bearing noise from   
   > under the   
   >> hood at about the same time, as though a bearing in perhaps an   
   > alternator or   
   >> other similar sized unit is wearing out.  Ok, I understand it is an   
   > old   
   >> enough truck that any of these things could be normal wear and tear,   
   > but it   
   >> is Christmas, and a long weekend till I might get a chance to have   
   > diag   
   >> codes read.  I'm not even sure anything will have registered.  I am   
   > most   
   >> puzzled by the clear connection between the brake light and the   
   > apparent   
   >> electrical problem.   
   >>   
   >> Any ideas I might look at tomorrow, any hope that the brake light   
   > indicator   
   >> is just an indicator that some code is being logged?   
   >>   
   >> Thanks,   
   >> Jere   
   >>   
   >   
   > When I had an alternator problem in my '87 PU the brake light and   
   > alternator (charge) light both came on. Does the charge light come on   
   > when you turn the key prior to starting the engine? Maybe the bulb is   
   > burned out?   
   >   
   > How long has it been since the alternator was replaced? 203,000 miles is   
   > a long time for the original to last.   
   >   
   > FWIW, I had the alternator freeze up in  a Chevy Lumina while doing 6o   
   > mph. It stopped the engine completely and I slid off of the highway. I   
   > was just outside of a small town and had some of my tools with me. So I   
   > took off the serpentine belt and drove it to the only garage for miles   
   > around.   
   >   
   > --   
   > We have met the enemy and he is us-- Pogo   
   >   
   > Anyolmouse   
   >   
   >   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)