LUVTruck.com

Ok, so I have a 1980 LUV with the 4wd. It has the Hitachi 2BBL on it, the stock 1.8L 4Cyl engine, and the manual 4spd tranny.

The issue I am having is the GEN light is staying on after starting it now, and the only way I can keep it running is to keep revving the RPMs. If I try to let it idle, it dies immediately. It has a brand new coil, and the plugs, wires, cap, rotor are all less than 6 months old. I also rebuilt the carb less than 6 months ago as well as replaced the alternator at that time. I am gonna test the alternator tomorrow when the parts store opens. But I am at a loss for what else it could be. Can anyone shed some light on what might be happening?


I love my LUV and want to get it running in top form like I remember the one when I was 17.

On the 6 wire plug from the VR white red = W = fuel pump and charge light, white = W = ignition, white blue = B = battery, black = E = earth, British for ground, white black = F = field, the stem of the Tee connector to the alternator, and white green = N, feeds back to the VR.

With the generator working correctly the white/green wire will have about 7 volts and the white/red one 14 volts. That turns the C light off and powers the coil on the fuel pump relay, or at least my 77 works that way. The fuel pump relay is under a cover near the firewall on the passenger's side.

Check all the grounds. This could be one of the reasons the Gen light will glow. All the years of grounds in contact with the elements and rust will cause bad connections.

_________________
http://www.purerockradio.net/

Thank you for the tips. Y'all think its the grounds then? Any other potential items if that's not it once I recheck all of them? I know which end of a wrench is up, but electrical systems really frustrate my mind.

LUV's have a weak link in the electrical system, the fusebox. The terminals the wires connect are riveted to the fuse holders. A little age and corrosion, and you get electrical intermittents. I solved mine by taking it apart and soldering the joints. Others have cleaned it with lemon juice, and others a new fuse box.

i had the same issue when my alternator went out..
i went over all the grounds when i replaced it with a 50 amp as well as took the fuse box out and sanded all of the contacts.. works great now

_________________
Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

Ok, you guys are the bomb! I LUV you all. I replaced the main ground to the battery and it runs like a top again. Also got the proper bolt to mount the alternator(which was fine). Next up? Getting a new Air Pump for it. Then we start with body work!

Yeah, I wish I had the 50amp in mine, but that would require replacing all the bracketing for it. For some reason I have the 4x4 with the 35amp.

all luvs have a stock 35 amp as far as i know. i upgraded to a 50 amp in my 80 4x4 to run my stereo
go to rockauto.com they have a bunch of 50 amp alts for the 80 4x4.
i run stock engine weber carb, electronic ignition etc.
the one i got is a "remy" re-manufactured 50 amp. fits right to the stock brackets only difference i remember is the lower rear bolt needs to be replaced with a nut and bolt since the back hole on the alt wasnt threaded.
i will try and get a pic in a bit for you to compare

_________________
Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

According to what I've been seeing, there's a 50amp and a 35amp for the 1980 LUV. the 50amp was supposed to be in the 4x4 and the 35 in the 2wd. I have the 4x4 but the brackets for the alternator won't fit the 50 amps that I've looked at. So I run the 35 and its happy enough in there.

If you get the alt for a LUV with A/C the case is the same but 50 amps. NAPA has them.

_________________
Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Ok, so I hate to be a thread necromancer, but my little orange beastie is once again having electrical trouble I am having trouble diagnosing. Cranks, and if I can get it to fire off, the GEN light stays on. The Alternator is the same one I replaced, and there aren't any loose connections or blown fuses that I can determine. Could this possibly be the fuel pump, or something else? Problem just started happening this morning right before I left for work. It was working fine when I parked it friday after I got home from work.

Thoughts please oh great LUV gurus?

Voltage regulator.It controls the power to the fuel pump.Replace it.

As I said in my first post, ''
With the generator working correctly the white/green wire will have about 7 volts and the white/red one 14 volts. That turns the C light off and powers the coil on the fuel pump relay, or at least my 77 works that way. The fuel pump relay is under a cover near the firewall on the passenger's side.''

Check the white/green wire for 7 volts. No 7 volts bad alternator. 7 volts and no 12 volts on the white/red wire, bad VR. With 12 volts on the white /red wire, the ''C'' light should be off and the fuel pump runs.

Yeah, turned out to be the alternator again, and of all stupid things, a blown fuse. How I missed that I'll never know. But she's running like a 32 year old top again.


Oh is it possible to repair rust damage to a frame?

Possible, yes, pretty no. The frame on mine is more patched than frame. I use strips of 1/8'' steel and a stick welder.

Check the fuses also check wires and if not check volt regulator and aldinator

_________________
[color=#0000BF]luv truck 06.04.2011.[/color]