Electrical Issue, Need Help!
 

Hey everyone, so this is the strangest thing to me that's been going on recently. (1996 SR5 v6 4x4 with little pioneer single din head unit and stock speakers)

Last week, I get to work and back into my parking spot. The moment I put the vehicle into Park, the entire vehicle (radio, lights, engine, windows, EVERYTHING) cuts off and will not come back on. The only thing that after numerous attempts started working again was the "open door" chime sound when the key is simply in the ignition but not turned at all.

It wouldn't do anything right after it happened, nor even a few hours later. Then I try yet again (roughly 4 hours after I get to work) to get it going so I can go eat lunch. Engine starts up first turn like nothing happened, BUT now the radio will not turn on. I left work 4-5 hours after that, and vehicle is acting perfectly fine once again with the exception of the radio. Radio refuses to turn on for the next several days.

Yesterday, I pulled the subwoofer connectors out the back (since I tossed the subs the minute I bought the vehicle) and then the radio came back on with no issues using only the oem connector and antenna cable. Everything was working great last night for a McDonalds run, but TODAY. I went to leave my place and we're back to square one....absolutely nothing has power. It's like putting the key into a car that has no battery connected.

My battery is less then 1 year old and it tests good with 12 volts, clamps are TIGHT with absolutely no corrosion on any connectors. The vehicle literally does NOTHING.

I desperately need some help because this is my daily driver and I can't exactly be calling Uber or Lyft at 5:30 in the morning on weekdays and actually get a ride lol

Thanks In Advance

I’d go through and check all your grounds, make sure they aren’t loose or corroded

where and/or how many grounds are there? I know the battery to the side of my fender one, but that's the only one I know anything about. lol - the wire does look a bit chewed up so I'll likely replace that regardless of if it's the actual culprit. Does need to be changed sooner or later from the looks

Grounding Question

Here’s a thread with some pics showing a few ground points, check all those first

Do your headlights turn on when everything is dead?


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No, like I stated in the OP. NOTHING works, not a single thing. No locks, lights, door chime, not a damn thing. Checked my grounds and they look fine, it's just really weird how it'll be like this for half a day and then run great for a week. Course that's likely electrical problems for you ><

If you haven't done it yet, perhaps pull some fuses and see if they are either corroded or blown.

I would verify the terminals are very clean and tight. Then I would verify the fuses are not green especially the bolted in main.

This everything all the sudden dead. Mostly its terminals issues or possibly iffy main fuse [ very rare].


At least thats were I would start to track down what's going on. :)


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as stated in OP, I already verified the battery is good, alternator is good, terminals are tight and spotless, zero corrosion/dirty/grime/dust.

I did go through all the fuses appear to be in good condition from what I can see, nothing looks burnt out or a distorted color.

Thanks though

If your loosimg all power it has to be at the source. If your loosing some power it can be be anywhere.

Are you or are you not loosing all power?

As you ignition can be dead along with a several other circuits and you still have power to some circuits

Do you know how to use a meter?
Do you know how to verify wires are good?

Do you know how to verify fuses are working properly besides looking at them?

When everything is dead does the dome light, stop lights and horn still work?

If you tell me or anything else it's stated in the opening Op again. I am done even trying to help you in this thread or matter. :)

Because people are trying to help you fix your issue.

Lots of times the simple things are overlooked and dismissed when they are actually the cause of the issue.

This is why folks are having you double check these things.



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do appreciate the help n yea I get double checking things, i've definitely gone over a few things more then 3 or 4 times. Just want my rig to magically be perfect again! lol

I get it. If your 100% sure you loosing all power it has to be at the terminals or fuse box.

As your battery terminals can be tight yet completely full of oxidation and not conducting at all.


Do you happen to have a picture of these terminals?

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Just went and snapped a few pictures.

<a href="https://ibb.co/wWW23jb"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/wWW23jb/20220905-102041.jpg" alt="20220905-102041" border="0"></a> <a href="https://ibb.co/85yq35h"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/85yq35h/20220905-102052.jpg" alt="20220905-102052" border="0"></a> <a href="https://ibb.co/TWYZ7yB"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/TWYZ7yB/20220905-102046.jpg" alt="20220905-102046" border="0"></a>

Ok. What does those post look like with terminals off. Chalky or shining lead?




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Feel like they could use a cleaning, but doesn't look bad to me.
<a href="https://ibb.co/L8YnL7L"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/L8YnL7L/Pos.jpg" alt="Pos" border="0"></a> <a href="https://ibb.co/mvYnXc3"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/mvYnXc3/Neg.jpg" alt="Neg" border="0"></a> <a href="https://ibb.co/FDLfc76"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/FDLfc76/c.jpg" alt="c" border="0"></a>