Electrical Problem (No power at all)

M

MB4runner

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Hi guys, new here with a 99 4runner v6 auto 4wd.

On occasion when I then turn they key I get no dash lights, no headlights, no radio, absolutely nothing will work, not even a click from the starter. It's completely dead.

After a few minutes of turning the key back and forth dash lights will come back on and then I know it will start and it fires right up.

So am I losing power to the actual computer or is it a ground? Any suggestions what to check because I'm not familiar with electrical issues!

Thanks in advance!
 
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I doubt its ECU related, most definitely sounds like a bad connection somewhere. Does your keyless entry always work? If so I'd start with the steering column back thru the firewall, then the main wiring harness.
 
You should try fuse link wire....its connected to 80A fuse (fuse box by the hood) from the positive terminal from the battery. I had the same problem with my 90 4runner.
 
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I know this sounds obvious, but maybe try getting your battery tested.

Its free and easy and will at least eliminate any concerns.
 
Try all suggestions above, and also check all major grounds. I had the same issue and it ended up being my main battery ground.

-Dirt Dawg
 
Dirtdog brought up a good point. There are 3 ground points. Check them. One is right next to battery to body, next is on top of Plenum, and then the 3rd is to block near oil filter .
 
I am sure that OP has this issue handled. It is 8 months since he asked for help.


FWIW - It was probably a loose or corroded battery terminal.
 
FWIW - It was probably a loose or corroded battery terminal.
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Singtoe called it! This just happened to me last weekend.

I put the key in and the dash lights up like normal. As soon as I turned the key all the power seemed to be completely gone the dash went dark. So I take the battery out and put it on the charger but it is at 98% charge .... ? I talked with my neighbor and he told me I probably had a corroded battery terminal. I cleaned both completely and it started right up.
 
1994 Toyota 4Runner

I just recently bought a 1994 Toyota 4runner, when we bought it we were told that the alternator was bad in, since then, I have replaced the battery, the alternator and the starter. The alternator I have replaced 3 different times, the last time I got it tested and the alternator is good, and the starter is good. But somehow it is losing power while its running. Someone recently said that there could be a short in the alternator that when u get it tested it won't show up. But before I go getting another one, does anyone have ANY suggestions as to what could be going on? We have had it for 2 months, and its been sitting for 2 months! Its a great truck ONCE its running. But within 45 mins to a hour of it running its losing power! HELP!!!
 
steffy6456 said:
But before I go getting another one, does anyone have ANY suggestions as to what could be going on? We have had it for 2 months, and its been sitting for 2 months! Its a great truck ONCE its running. But within 45 mins to a hour of it running its losing power! HELP!!!
Click to expand...

Don't buy anything! Yet

You should search for the big 3 mod on this forum. Basically better ground and charging. But please clarify when you say it is losing power, what exactly do you mean? Does the engine shut off, lights dim? Or do you stop and then it won't restart? I don't know what your actual problem is.

You can also learn a lot here at this post!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/139597-performing-big-3-wiring-ugrade-3rd-gen-toyota-4runner-how.html

:couch2:
 
my 97 Runner has a simular issue, I turn key on and only the airbag light lights up, it starts just fine and runs just fine, no guages work and when i disconnect positive while running it dies, replaced alternator and still the same.....any ideas and thanks in advance.
 
OBTDean said:
my 97 Runner has a simular issue, I turn key on and only the airbag light lights up, it starts just fine and runs just fine, no guages work and when i disconnect positive while running it dies, replaced alternator and still the same.....any ideas and thanks in advance.
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Really need more info.

Check voltage at battery with engine running and off.

Do headlights work? Do they get brighter when you accelerate?

How about radio and windows and all that stuff?

In any case, check and clean your battery terminals and inspect cables for any pimpling that might indicate corrosion under the insulation. Check your GAUGE fuse with a test light or swapping in a known good fuse. Don't waste my time by just looking at it.
 
TheDurk said:
In any case, check and clean your battery terminals and inspect cables for any pimpling that might indicate corrosion under the insulation. .
Click to expand...

All good points, but if I had to place a bet, it would be on the battery terminal connections.

OP, does your truck have the original Toyota battery terminals, or have they been replaced? The original ones don't hold up very well, but personally I think they're better than most of the aftermarket stuff you get at the auto parts stores.
 
Had a similar problem on my 97. Got battery tested and it was weak. Replaced battery. Problem returned. Replaced battery terminal connectors and haven't had a problem since. Keep them free of corrosion.
I check for corrosion when I check oil level which is every fill up.
 
wound up being the most obvious...the guage fuze.....but have aquired another peculiar electrical weird one, while on frwy when i hit my blinker, either direction, the trans kicks down a gear, from OD to 4rth.....strange
 
OBTDean said:
wound up being the most obvious...the guage fuze.....but have aquired another peculiar electrical weird one, while on frwy when i hit my blinker, either direction, the trans kicks down a gear, from OD to 4rth.....strange
Click to expand...

I think you mean from OD to 3rd, OD is 4th gear on 3rd gens.

Now, since I always say, there is nothing strange about vehicle electrical systems...

I am 82.6% sure this is a ground issue. Usually when you turn one thing on and an unrelated item is energized or activated, it is because the path to ground is poor or absent. In this case when the signal/flasher relay circuit looks for a ground and can't find it, it could follow the path of least resistance to the O/D switch.

It just so happens the flasher relay is grounded through connector 3E at the steering column tube junction block, terminal 21. And the O/D switch is grounded at the same place, terminal 22. I don't know what happens inside the J/B, but the circuits both exit at term 16.

The first place I'd look is the common ground point, junction J9 at the right side A Pillar/dash area. Here is the component locator.

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96...pdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/electric/parts.pdf

Look at page 31, upper right side of the illustration. Looks like it's behind the A/C register.

Remember the weirdest thing about the electrical circuit in your 3rd Gen is the operator! Just ask my friend [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION]

:snacker:
 
IBallEngineer said:
I think you mean from OD to 3rd, OD is 4th gear on 3rd gens.

Now, since I always say, there is nothing strange about vehicle electrical systems...

I am 82.6% sure this is a ground issue. Usually when you turn one thing on and an unrelated item is energized or activated, it is because the path to ground is poor or absent. In this case when the signal/flasher relay circuit looks for a ground and can't find it, it could follow the path of least resistance to the O/D switch.

It just so happens the flasher relay is grounded through connector 3E at the steering column tube junction block, terminal 21. And the O/D switch is grounded at the same place, terminal 22. I don't know what happens inside the J/B, but the circuits both exit at term 16.

The first place I'd look is the common ground point, junction J9 at the right side A Pillar/dash area. Here is the component locator.

http://tacoma.site40.net/4Runner_96...pdf/ewdsourc/2002/024runne/electric/parts.pdf

Look at page 31, upper right side of the illustration. Looks like it's behind the A/C register.

Remember the weirdest thing about the electrical circuit in your 3rd Gen is the operator! Just ask my friend [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION]

:snacker:
Click to expand...
Thank you much!!
 
MB4runner said:
Hi guys, new here with a 99 4runner v6 auto 4wd.

On occasion when I then turn they key I get no dash lights, no headlights, no radio, absolutely nothing will work, not even a click from the starter. It's completely dead.

After a few minutes of turning the key back and forth dash lights will come back on and then I know it will start and it fires right up.

So am I losing power to the actual computer or is it a ground? Any suggestions what to check because I'm not familiar with electrical issues!

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

check your fuse block wires under the hood mine was loose was causing havic on inside dash fues box and made my outside fuse box go nuts because wire to positive of battery was badly loose
 
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