All Orange Dashboard Lights On When Engine Warms

Hello All! I'm new to the forum and the HIACE community. I love the van, and it has been a wild ride from the start! Most of the main gremlins are worked out, but I'm having a bit more trouble.

The orange dashboard lights come on once the van is sufficiently heated up and under stress (highway/uphill acceleration). When the vehicle is cool, there are no additional lights. The mechanic who helped me get the van rolling again after my purchase said the alternator charges the battery. However, I'm noticing lights are brighter when I rev the engine. I'm thinking when heat/resistance builds, the system is sub-optimal. I don't want to blow other devices/circuits (as electrical systems have needed some work since I got it two months ago), and the alternator fuse is still good, so I'm thinking of replacing the alternator brush and voltage regulator to start.

Extra information: When I got it back, I detailed it. I also sanded, primed and touched up the paint job where some rusty places had developed. During all this, the battery died from the interior lights/radio being on without the engine running and I had to jumpstart the vehicle).

The previous owner said this phenomenon happened periodically, but I don't feel comfortable simply dismissing the lights.

Anyone have any ideas? Thank you all so much!

93 HIACE super custom limited 1kz diesel 2wd

Hi Nashville super custom.

Ours arrived with a failing alternator and a bad battery.  Ran it dead a few times with the interior lights and radio just like you did too. The lights draw quite a bit of wattage, replaced them with LED’s and the problem went away.

Uses the same alternator as a 22r pickup if yours ends up needing to be replaced. Belts, tensioner pulley and battery are at local parts stores too.

Put a voltmeter on it when the light comes on. I would want that piece of mind before pulling the drivers seat and everything else to get to the good things. I mentioned tensioner because ours failed on a mountain trip causing the alternator belt to be too loose to charge under load. Replaced it in the parking lot and it has been good ever since.

Good luck, God Bless
-Bryan

I'll give it a go and follow up. Thanks.

Okay. Ran a simple voltmeter test, and the numbers were suggestive that it was charging. However, got the folks at the auto parts store to test it with their diagnostic, and they suggested the battery was carrying a load when the vehicle was warm. I'm going to pull the alternator out and take it to be tested/rebuilt. Will follow up.

Update: took out the alternator and got a shop to diagnose it. Turns out, it needed a new regulator to control surges. 68 USD and a couple of cut knuckles.

No lights at moment, but there are other issues, so I'll update once I'm able to put a load on the vehicle.

Glad you are on the right track Nashvillesupercustom. A surging regulator is a moonshot catch. Great job

-Bryan