1st Gen Electric Issue

[otae]

I've been wrestling with a strange electric issue since we got hit with rain a couple weeks ago. Car sat for 2 months, went to start her up, no problems at all. Few days later after heavy rains, went to start her up and nothing, not even the check engine/oil pressure/charge lights etc lit up. Jumped, and got her running, drove around a bit, and parked. Couple days later, starts right up, drive around, park. Couple days later, nothing, jump, charge, etc..

Then she started up a few times no problem, and I told myself, rain-fluke. Last weekend, starts up fine, load her up with all camping gear and drive to gas station no problem. Fill her up, go to start, lights on, cranking, but no charge light on the dash and she will not start just cranks endlessly. Tried jumping with two diff vehicles and nada, no charge light, will not start up, just cranking. Tow home, no camping, super bummed.

Next day, she starts up without flinching, drive her home from parents across town, unload camping stuff, rolling up rear window and it slows then dies 3/4 up.... Completely dead, no lights, nothing.

Yesterday I got the battery tested, and they said it was good to go and fully charged. Clean all terminals, plug it back in, go to start and she is completely dead, no lights, nothing. Tried jumping her today and couldn't get anything...

At this point, I think I have a short somewhere, but honestly I have no clue. Anyone know of any common places to get a short on these creatures? Somewhere that water can cause a short?

Thanks for reading.

 

[sam24th]

Year, engine, carbed or fi, and transmission would help us try to determine the problem.

 

[otae]

'88, 22RE (fi), 5-speed.

 

[77'911]

When you have the no start, you might take a voltmeter and check the ignition switch as a 1st step. The contacts(internal) in the starters are a known problem with Toyota. You can try cleaning them through the metal access panel on the starter, but I believe they sell a contact kit for about $40, if that is an issue. Best of luck with it.
regards

 

[Nervo19]

Is it possible your distributer is getting water or condensation in it? I used to have a car that I had to wipe mine out with a rag every time it rained hard.

 

[otae]

I finally got a chance to hook up the ammeter today and while checking the fuses power suddenly came back. She started up fine, went to grocery store and when I came out she was dead as nails. Went and jiddled/pushed down the fuse that seemed to cause power to come back, and sure enough power came right back.

Anyone know what the fuse circled in red is?

 

[sam24th]

That is a 80amp fusible link if I recall correctly. You have to push it through the bottom to replace it. Id unbolt the fuse box and replace it. Quick 3 dollar fix at any oreillys. If its loose or broken you need to replace it. If thats whats causing the issues it would explain the problem as its the first fuse coming from the battery.