Dead engine wiring harness?

J

JBend

New member
Hey folks,

So about a year ago I bought my second 4th gen. A 2008 sport from Canada (I lived in Ohio at the time) rust free frame and a beautiful car. I drove it for about a month 1200 miles and parked it one day, the next day I started it and a puff of smoke came from the engine bay near the fuse box. Since then it’s been a lemon. I have a report from Toyota to fix it but they won’t because the part is discontinued. Has anyone had this problem? If so is it worth fixing or am I “smoked”. Below is the report I received. Please help.
 

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I'd definitely want a second opinion.

But if that really is the fix,and you aren't going to fix it yourself, the 4runner is mechanically totaled.
 
I would go off the diagnostic info. Sounds like rodent damage. The FSM EWD would tell you how to repair wires to spec, obviously this dealer service department is worthless and can only function by swapping parts at huge markups. How did they even determine the MAF is bad? Sounds like BS, get a second opinion from an independent mechanic that isn't scared of wires. I am also suspicious of the stop light switch. Why was it replaced? They rarely go bad. And using aftermarket parts significantly increases the risk of a failure.
 
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T4R2014 said:
I would go off the diagnostic info. Sounds like rodent damage. The FSM EWD would tell you how to repair wires to spec, obviously this dealer service department is worthless and can only function by swapping parts at huge markups. How did they even determine the MAF is bad? Sounds like BS, get a second opinion from an independent mechanic that isn't scared of wires.
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Sorry what is the FSM EWD? I’m not sure they just “started” there and tried to get over on me on the price initially? Should I ask my insurance to check it for rodent damage? That way it could be totaled out?
 
JBend said:
Sorry what is the FSM EWD? I’m not sure they just “started” there and tried to get over on me on the price initially? Should I ask my insurance to check it for rodent damage? That way it could be totaled out?
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Up to you if you want to involve insurance to total. I'd rather fix this vehicle than try to buy something else in the swamp of a market. FSM = Factory service manual, EWD = electrical wiring diagram. They did a very basic wiggling of wires with a meter hooked up. Not sure how they got any data to show that the MAF is inputting bad data into the ECU if it isn't running, nor is there any indication MAF wiring was checked.
 
T4R2014 said:
Up to you if you want to involve insurance to total. I'd rather fix this vehicle than try to buy something else in the swamp of a market. FSM = Factory service manual, EWD = electrical wiring diagram. They did a very basic wiggling of wires with a meter hooked up. Not sure how they got any data to show that the MAF is inputting bad data into the ECU if it isn't running, nor is there any indication MAF wiring was checked.
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Heard that. Everything I read up on seems like it’s something wrong with ignition coils/wiring or something along those lines. It’s crazy cuz it ran perfectly fine for a month. 400 mile road trip to the mountains and everything, then one day, poof.
 
JBend said:
Heard that. Everything I read up on seems like it’s something wrong with ignition coils/wiring or something along those lines. It’s crazy cuz it ran perfectly fine for a month. 400 mile road trip to the mountains and everything, then one day, poof.
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I wouldn't speculate online, but ignition coils wouldn't usually make smoke behind a windshield. An instant failure or usually from immediate damage.
 
Fuse box is located on left side of engine bay which is consistent with location of magic smoke. If something went to ground, fuse will be smoked. With the wiring diagram, start tracing wires. Previous poster mentioned rodent damage so start looking. Since MAF seems to be an issue, check wiring all the way back to the fuse box.
 
[MENTION=554635]JBend[/MENTION]

FSM = factory service manual
EWD - electrical wiring diagram.


Everything is fixable if it's human created, and this rig is no exception. Take the dealer report to an indy who is known to be a great electrical diagnostician. Not just any indy (independent) shop but find out who has a great rep. That report gives the next person a lot of clue before they dive into your project.

Troubleshooting and fixing are two different animals. Most people can fix by replacing parts, but only few people can troubleshoot systematically and methodically. That's the shop you want to take your 4runner to. Yes, it'll be expensive due to the labor it takes to find an issue, but well worth it at the end to have your car back in good health. Jump on YT and look at videos of shops doing electrical troubleshooting. If they're close to you, ask them if you pay them to troubleshoot your rig. I bet they'd love to do a video on your rig!

Get to know your local 4runner club/group and ask around. Sometimes, a retired electrical engineer who is bored would love to have your rig as a challenge. I am an EE and I love figuring out this kind of stuff on my own rigs, but I don't do this on others' rigs.

Good luck.
 
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Alia176 is dead on for this. YT guys that are really good at finding issues like this are South Main Auto and Pine Hollow Auto. I know the first is not near you as he is in NY.
 
I agree, this is very fixable, and possibly fixable yourself if you want to dive into it. painless wiring makes a great kit, but you dont even need to go that far. get a few crimp connectors, some heat shrink, your fluke dmm, and a soldering iron, and get after it. once you find the break (not that easy but easier than you would think. ive unfortunately dove into this job on an old f250 i had, and my el camino) just repair at the break, heat shrink, call it a day. i would advise doing the checks with no power, and looking for high resistance, as that indicates that wire has a short. im sure that when you find the short for one, you will find them for all. good luck and happy hunting!
 
MikeinNH67 said:
Alia176 is dead on for this. YT guys that are really good at finding issues like this are South Main Auto and Pine Hollow Auto. I know the first is not near you as he is in NY.
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Mike, that was a huge contribution to the OP. I think there's hope for this issue.
 
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