I notice when I'm stopping the car the battery light flickers a bit...usually under harder braking. I noticed a wire had been clipped a while back by the front left tire and I think it could be a grounding issue. What do you guys think? Also it does it on start up ( sometimes) but the battery level is always fine.

 

possible that the ABS is coming on and the extra draw on the system is highlighting a marginal alternator/battery?

 

The list could be long, but i will stick to the basics, coz its easier, and usually fixes the car cheaply.

At the age now, the alternator may be getting tired, it is an Hitachi unit (mine is) and simple enough to rebuild. The only catch is the voltage regulator, it is NOT the same as the Toyota unit they all claim will work, it wont, and the light will be on.

I am not sure what the "hard stopping" has to do with it. Unless the battery is moving in its cradle, and the leads are loosing their integrity as in contact???, out on a limb with that one.

Engine earth strap is not secure, and the sudden stopping is again causing contact issues?.

The battery is NOT 100% charged. These cars are "juice hungry", and a partially charged battery reeks havoc. IOt will still start the car etc, but loads that alternator something savage when electrickery stuff is turned on. The alternator will NOT charge a battery to the 100% level in the driving style most of us undertake these days. I charge mine every month, first Saturday night (simple for me to remember), and have done so for too many years.

 

The braided earth line has been cut by the brake pad could this be coming in contact with the rotor and making a connection causing the light to go on?

 

It is possible it may contact/get wrapped up in something.

Bringing the charge light, I seriously doubt it. It is an earth wire for the front hub (the suspension is ALL rubber mounted/insulated), to complete an earth path, maybe for ABS, or pad wear indicators on the previous model, dunno.

My first suggestion is get the alternator tested, it may be brushes, diode failing, even belt slip (highly unlikely, but easy and cheap to check).

Cable integrity at the alternator, and the battery.