Bad Fuse(s)??

[zeffbraun]

I have a 2000 4Runner which just recently started to have a few things go wrong with it. It seems like it might be a bad fuse(s).

- The interior lights (above the rear view mirror and the overhead cabin lights) no longer work.
- The lights on the gear shift console no longer work.
- The radio no longer works.
- The clock no longer works
- My brights no longer work.

The first things I noticed to go were the interior lights and gear console lights. I just noticed my brights not working last week (I live and work in Atlanta so I don't really have the opportunity to use them that often). I have no idea how long they've been out/not working. Thankfully my headlights (dim/normal) still work though. The clock and radio quit working on the same day about 2.5 weeks ago.

Does this sound like a fuse issue to anyone here?

Thanks in advance!
Seth

 

[Uneek]

Sounds like a blown fuse or two. Check for the interior and/or radio fuses.

 

[zeffbraun]

Replaced bad fuse, worked... temporarily

Over the weekend, I check the fuses. After checking all of the fuses (inside the dash and under the hood), the only one that came up bad was the one marked "Dome", under the hood. I replaced this one with the appropriate fuse and everything seemed to work perfectly. I thought it was a little odd that this one fuse was the cause to every listed above working incorrectly. But whatever, it all worked. About an hour or so after I replaced the fuse, I ran a quick errand. Everything was still working properly. However, when I got back in the car to return home, everything had gone back to the way it was; clock, stereo, dome lights, brights... nothing worked.

Is this just due to a bad fuse or is this due to a larger issue, ie, a short somewhere in the wiring?

Thanks.

 

[Uneek]

If that same fuse is blown again, then something on that circuit is causing a short.

Once on my old Maxima it blew a handful of fuses rendering just about everything in the cabin useless. Replaced the blown fuses and it hasn't happened again.

 

[TechWrench]

Over the weekend, I check the fuses. After checking all of the fuses (inside the dash and under the hood), the only one that came up bad was the one marked "Dome", under the hood. I replaced this one with the appropriate fuse and everything seemed to work perfectly. I thought it was a little odd that this one fuse was the cause to every listed above working incorrectly. But whatever, it all worked. About an hour or so after I replaced the fuse, I ran a quick errand. Everything was still working properly. However, when I got back in the car to return home, everything had gone back to the way it was; clock, stereo, dome lights, brights... nothing worked.

Is this just due to a bad fuse or is this due to a larger issue, ie, a short somewhere in the wiring?

Thanks.

Have you recently installed any new equipment (lighting or audio equipment)? If so, I would start looking there. I would replace the fuse again, just in case it was defective. If it goes again, then you probably have a problem somewhere in the wiring circuit. You will have to get a copy of the wiring schematics and check everything on that fuse circuit. Since you mentioned the high beams, I would check the wiring to them first, since that looks to be the only circuit outside of the cab and more prone to moisture and corrosion.

 

[zeffbraun]

Have you recently installed any new equipment (lighting or audio equipment)? If so, I would start looking there. I would replace the fuse again, just in case it was defective. If it goes again, then you probably have a problem somewhere in the wiring circuit. You will have to get a copy of the wiring schematics and check everything on that fuse circuit. Since you mentioned the high beams, I would check the wiring to them first, since that looks to be the only circuit outside of the cab and more prone to moisture and corrosion.

Yes, about a year ago, my factory stereo died. I let it basically sit in the dash (still hooked up, just didn't work) for a few months before I finally broke down and replaced it. So I guess it was about 6-8 months ago (maybe even a little longer) that I installed a new stereo.

I have also had some work done at the dealership since then as well. I had to have some body work done because I was rear-ended. The damage that I incurred thankfully wasn't bad at all but they did have to remove the rear bumper, just above the trailer hitch. I believe that was it for the body work though. The other work performed was mainly drivetrain related. Would any of that have required electrical work? I guess if it did, I might be able to take it back to the dealership and see if they'd check it out.

I replaced the fuse again just to make sure it was not defective. When I started the car, everything worked for about 10 seconds and then the new fuse blew.

Thanks for all of the help!

 

[zeffbraun]

Problem solved. Well, sort of.

I took it in to the dealership over the weekend. Turns out there is a short in the stereo. If the stereo stays turned off, everything else works as it should. Now I just have to address the dead mass airflow sensor that came up on the tests run by the dealership. Ugh... always something!

 

[004Gunner]

Now I just have to address the dead mass airflow sensor that came up on the tests run by the dealership. Ugh... always something!

Did you have a CEL on? Why did the stealership check your MAF sensor?

And I'm not saying the stereo diagnosis is wrong, but I have had a stealership blame a broken antenna mast on an aftermarket stereo, which is ridiculous. I hate stealerships so I may be a little biased