My fix for a 2003 4Runner that won't start - Toyota 4Runner Forum

gineraso · 12-16-2010, 05:18 PM

I bought my 2003 T4R new and never had any problems. Starting last year, I began having trouble with it because it would start just fine, then it wouldn't start at all. No starter, no turning over, nothing. After time passed, it would start just fine but later that day or the next day it would leave my wife stranded (not good). I replaced the battery but that didn't fix the issue. The behavior was so sporadic I didn't want to take it to the dealership because I knew they wouldn't be able to fix it or make it fail. I read in these forums that replacing a relay in the fuse box would fix the problem so I bought a new one ($80) and replaced what I thought was the failing relay. A few days later, it failed again in our garage so I asked my wife to open the hood to make sure the relay was seated correctly. As soon as I touched the fuse box cover under the hood it started. I opened the fuse box and re-seated the relay but it was in tight. As I began pressing the other fuses, the 4Runner sputtered and stopped. I asked her to try it again and I pressed the other fuses and it sputter and stopped again. This time, I saw a spark come out of the EFI fuse. I checked the fuse and it was good but one of the pins was bent inwards. I replaced the EFI (10) fuse and it stopped sputtering. I removed the EFI fuse and it had the same behavior we were having (no starter, no turning over, nothing). I'm thinking the fuse was losing contact when the vehicle warmed up. Either way, we have not had the starting problem again. I hope this helps someone who may have this problem. If anything, it may save you the money of needlessly purchasing a costly relay.

MikesToy · 12-16-2010, 06:36 PM

Thanks for sharing. Maybe i should buy an extra EFI (10) fuse just in case.

gm350reratliff · 12-17-2010, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gineraso

I bought my 2003 T4R new and never had any problems. Starting last year, I began having trouble with it because it would start just fine, then it wouldn't start at all. No starter, no turning over, nothing. After time passed, it would start just fine but later that day or the next day it would leave my wife stranded (not good). I replaced the battery but that didn't fix the issue. The behavior was so sporadic I didn't want to take it to the dealership because I knew they wouldn't be able to fix it or make it fail. I read in these forums that replacing a relay in the fuse box would fix the problem so I bought a new one ($80) and replaced what I thought was the failing relay. A few days later, it failed again in our garage so I asked my wife to open the hood to make sure the relay was seated correctly. As soon as I touched the fuse box cover under the hood it started. I opened the fuse box and re-seated the relay but it was in tight. As I began pressing the other fuses, the 4Runner sputtered and stopped. I asked her to try it again and I pressed the other fuses and it sputter and stopped again. This time, I saw a spark come out of the EFI fuse. I checked the fuse and it was good but one of the pins was bent inwards. I replaced the EFI (10) fuse and it stopped sputtering. I removed the EFI fuse and it had the same behavior we were having (no starter, no turning over, nothing). I'm thinking the fuse was losing contact when the vehicle warmed up. Either way, we have not had the starting problem again. I hope this helps someone who may have this problem. If anything, it may save you the money of needlessly purchasing a costly relay.

So your saying the fuse was installed incorrectly? Good to know. Something else to check. Thanks for the post.

audiness · 12-17-2010, 08:11 AM

thanks for sharing, I think i'll check my fuses for tightness next time i have the hood open

eskimochaos · 12-17-2010, 11:43 AM

You saved yourself a ton of money by not bringing this to the dealer. I could just imagine what ridiculous things they would replace and still not find the issue.

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