1996 4Runner - dead - no electric power

[MrE]

Hello,

I have a 1996 4Runner Ltd. I have been out of the country for 4 months and am now trying to get my 4Runner up and running again. As expected, when I first unlocked the vehicle the battery was completely dead. So I tried to jump start it, but had no luck. Not even a trickle of electric power was coming thru (no dash indicators, dome lights, etc). So I charged the battery overnight, no luck, and also tried a new battery I had purchased for another vehicle, also no luck.

So I've come to the board for help. What should my next steps be in determining the cause of this electrical problem? Are there any fuses I should check? The battery is completely clean.

Before leaving everything was running fine. No starter problems etc. Also the vehicle is kept in an underground garage in my building, so it's dry etc.

Thanks in advance.

MrE

 

[drmorbius]

I would look at the main cables from the battery. I have seen these look ok on the outside and be green powder on the inside. Follow the positive and negative to the next place they go and check each piece with an ohmeter for continuity. It shouldn't be too hard to do. Also look at the underhood relay panel ( near the battery) for signs of sulphation ( green powder). This stuff will eat through copper over long periods of no charging. Make sure the ground from the battery actually goes to the chassis. Good luck! Oh- and always disconnect the battery when you aren't going to drive it for long periods.

 

[MrE]

Well it ended up being the 100 amp alternator fuse.

Wow. Not easy to replace this actually!

But you'll want to follow these steps. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos.

1. Remove the battery. (gives you more room to access the fuse box)
2. Remove the 3 bolts mounting the fuse box to the body of the vehicle (use 10 mm socket w/long extension)
3. You can now pull the fuse box up a few inches. You're basically limited by the wiring.
4. Using a smaller flat head screwdriver slighty pry each of the prongs holding the bottom of the fuse box to the main assembly. I believe there are 7 or 8 total, 2 on each side.
5. Set aside the bottom tray of the fuse box. (You may need to press the 2 large tabs to remove the bottom of the fuse box.)
6. Now you'll be able to access the 2 bolts holding in the 100 amp fuse. You'll basically have two little windows in the plastic casing of the main fuse box here. I used a 3 inch socket extension, and also a box wrench. One bolt is 10mm and the other 8mm. Remove both being careful not to drop them.
7. Now you can slide the fuse out, the prongs are about an inch long.

Reverse the steps to insall.

Hope this helps.

-MrE

 

[drmorbius]

It would be interesting to know what blew a 100 amp fuse. Aren't you a bit curious?

 

[rxshu]

I am definitely interested. What do you have to do to blow a fuse that big??

 

[shootmymime]

i know what blew the fuses!!!!




LIGHTNING BOLT!

ahhh that weird dude.... did a mouse get in a chew wires? check that

 

[vcalkins]

Mouse would blow before the fuse that big. when you tried to jump it with a battery that was gone if hooked up backwards would have done it too.