Hi, i have a 1995 SC300 5sp. I have noticed this problem for a while now, here is what happens:
when i use anything power like turn on the lights, turn on the ac, turn signals, wipers, even hit the brake my cars power flickers and it resets my radar detector and makes the car bog down a little. this also happens when say im slowing down for a redlight, i will put the car in neutral and when my RPM's hit idle the cars power will dim and come back on, making the car bog down.

I took it to a toyota specialist and he checked the wiring and even replaced the battery, but its still happening. Its driving me crazy! Could it be the alternator??

Thanks. Justin

 

do you have a sound system or anything? Any extra load on the electrical system?


Your alternator may be suspect... but also make sure your car has a good solid ground (although your tech most likely already checked).

 

just have the stock sound system no sound upgrades at all

 

check your negative ground, that's what was happening when I had this exact problem. Your issue appears to be the same, check the grounds and check them well, also spray some terminal protectant on your battery terminals.

then do a search for "electric ghosts" and read up....

 

This is a very common problem. I went through it when I got my SC4 back in April. Remove and clean all of the terminals very well and make sure they are tight. Check the negative cable for any corrosion. Report back.

BTW, a grounding kit made a big difference for me as well.

 

Sounds like a bad battery to me. When I went to look at the SC that I got, it was sitting with a dead battery. The guys tried to start the car with another battery attached to to the one that was in there and the lights flickered, even the cluster.

 

 

That should teach me to read the entire post before replying

Anyway, a new battery can still be faulty. Do you see a battery warning indicator when you turn the car on? If the battery is good, then its the alternator

 

thanks for the replys guys. i'll spray some terminal protectant on the battery terminals this weekend...where are the grounds located

 

A magic 3 wires upgrade might do the trick also. Use some heavy gauge wire (i used 4 gauge) to connect the following spots:
alternator post -> (+) battery terminal
chassis -> (-) battery terminal
engine -> chassis

The last one i did in a couple places just to be sure there was a good connection. Hope it helps.