2009 GS300 - "Check Charging System"

[Mr92]

New to me GS300. Got a bit of an odd electrical gremlin 

Car starts and drives great with (mostly) no warning lights.

Whilst driving I will sporadically get a warning chime and a warning light with an error flash up too quickly to read. I managed to capture it on video, which reveals it is a "Check Charging System" warning.

The warning and light only flash for a fraction of a second. If 12v accessories e.g. dashcam are connected they sometimes lose power and restart, but everything else continues to work, no flickering interior or exterior lights, etc 

This sometimes happens once every few minutes, and at other times I can drive several hours without it happening. It does not seem to be related to electrical load, accessories plugged in, etc.

 

Battery is fairly new, Bosch. Terminals seem ok.

Alternator does not appear to be original.

The fusible link has blown a link (bottom left if standing at bumper facing car), which I believe is a main alternator circuit.

However bizarrely the Battery does seem to charge fine, despite this and the intermittent warnings.

 

Current plan is new alternator and fusible link, however I worry that I might be missing something and waste money on a new fusible link that just blows immediately if there is another issue going on.

Anyone come across this before and have any suggestions other than the obvious?

Many thanks

[ColinBarber]

It sounds like a loose connection somewhere but if the 150 A ALT fuse has blown then the alternator cannot charge the Battery unless the fuse has been bypassed.

 

[Initial P]

I had my alternator replaced on my old 57 plate GS300 with a OEM Denso unit & the guy said that the after-market ones were a but hit & miss.

I had a issue on my 13 plate 250 GS where the Battery terminals were a bit leaky & not easy to clamp on with the negative so wasn't getting the amp draw which affected starting which all got sorted with a new Battery.

Although I swear the price was about £10 more on the Battery once the cold weather kicked in Eurocar parts pure cheek !