My new van that I love... and all the problems that came with it

[Marshy]

Hey everyone, this is my first post after lurking around for a couple weeks.
So me and my lady got an 86 2wd and I've come to find out that it suffers from about every common ailment that these vans can offer. First major thing I had to do was get a new differential which I was in no way about to attempt myself (I can suggest a great place in LA if anyone is curious) and now I'm on to all the other stuff which I'd like to take a whack at with my own hands. I've ordered all the bushings for the front end, shocks too. I found a couple of vans in a local pick n' pull from which I've gathered a heap of cosmetic parts from (no sliding door handle, tho.. I've told myself I can live without it). Annnnd I also have something draining my battery which brings me to the point of this post.

The van has died three times. Never when driving, every time when the doors have been open with the engine off for not even ten minutes. Would not start up. Had to get it jumped every time. After the second time I got a new battery. Put it in and the van started up great. For about a week. Then two days ago the same thing, unloading crap for ten minutes with engine off, doors open and dome lights on... and dead battery. After reading threads on this site I feel like it's the fusible link that connects to the battery. It looks like it's in bad shape so now I'm going to try replacing that. One thing I noticed is that the classic 80's toyota buzzing noise that comes on when you start the car worked the first couple of times with the new battery but then stopped. The van starts up fine but without that noise. But the noise will happen when the door is open with the car on. Is that a sign of some other electrical issue?

I am fairly ignorant about car mechanics so any advice on steps to take would be very welcome, and WOW is this site cool!
Thanks for reading!

[timsrv]

Hi & welcome to TVT! I would suggest using a voltmeter to check battery voltage with the engine running (should be around 14 volts). If you have anything less than 13.5 v, then you likely have an open diode or a bad regulator in your alternator. Check that and report back. Tim

[SamPrevia]

Ditto.

If the battery is new then the most likely culprit is the alternator. BTW, the engine WILL die even when it is running if the alternator is indeed not supplying current. It's a matter of when, not if.

[Marshy]

Thank you for the responses!
I did not realize how long my post was...

I did the voltmeter test and everything checked out fine.

[SamPrevia]

That sounds good! What happened then? Did you just fix/replace the alternator?

[Marshy]

I'm gonna take the alternator to a place near me and get it tested, then I guess I'll go from there. May be a bit before I can get a new one...

Thanks, guys!

[BajaHiAce]

"(I can suggest a great place in LA if anyone is curious)" / "I found a couple of vans in a local pick n' pull from which I've gathered a heap of cosmetic parts from"

Hey Marshy- Just bought a 1989 Van. Have you found a good mechanic in LA and which pick n' pull spots have you found good parts. Thanks

[Marshy]

I've been to the U-pick up in Sunland on Penrose. They had two vans there for a while that I gathered a lot of stuff from and their prices are real cheap. You never know what you'll find there, though. There is another place near there that is called LKQ which I've never been but I hear they have a couple as well. I also hear that they are very overpriced. I would not go there unless I was desperate for something.

As far as mechanics, Ramjet (which is also right around these junkyards) is where I got my differential replaced. I could tell that other shops took their work here for him to do and then would probably tack on another $300 at least. They are rear end specialists and if you don't need any work done back there they might not be the place to go...
I've also gone to Hidalgo Toyota in Alhambra. Small shop that just works on older model Toyotas. They were a bit pricey but I think they do really good work. Some of my friends take their old trucks there and are happy with them. Both these shops were psyched to work on the van, by the way.

That being said, there are probably over a million mechanics in the LA area, and maybe ten pick n' pulls. Depending on your area you may find something closer and maybe better.
Hope this helps!

[BajaHiAce]

Thanks for the quick reply and info Marshy. Thankfully I don't need any parts nor mechanics at the moment, but wanted to do my homework if and when that time comes.