Hellfire of Electrical Problems

[rmlamp]

Alright, this is a doozie so bear with me, any ideas are much appreciated. A few weeks back, I was getting a code (PO325) for bank 1 knock sensor on my 2001. I pulled everything apart, changed the sensors with oem and changed the harness, also oem. Everything has been replaced and it is still throwing the code.

Little history on this runner, its supercharged and has the TRD 7th injector kit. Last year, it was throwing a code for the throttle position sensor. I replaced the throttle body and the code continued. I finally replaced the ecu and it remedied the problem (Toyota couldn't even figure the problem out). I have a feeling this is where I'm at again.

Now, for the other electrical problems, for a year or so, when its in drive, my front corner lights light up dim and my pillar gauge faces also light up dim. Last night, a new development happened. The shifter will no longer let me shift out of park, the button won't depress. My brake switch is working as my brake lights come on. Additionally, the windows, sunroof and rear window suddenly won't roll down. And finally, my brake light is on even with the parking brake disengaged and the brake master full of fluid.

Any ideas? Where to start?

 

[IBallEngineer]

Alright, this is a doozie so bear with me, any ideas are much appreciated. A few weeks back, I was getting a code (PO325) for bank 1 knock sensor on my 2001. I pulled everything apart, changed the sensors with oem and changed the harness, also oem. Everything has been replaced and it is still throwing the code.

Little history on this runner, its supercharged and has the TRD 7th injector kit. Last year, it was throwing a code for the throttle position sensor. I replaced the throttle body and the code continued. I finally replaced the ecu and it remedied the problem (Toyota couldn't even figure the problem out). I have a feeling this is where I'm at again.

Now, for the other electrical problems, for a year or so, when its in drive, my front corner lights light up dim and my pillar gauge faces also light up dim. Last night, a new development happened. The shifter will no longer let me shift out of park, the button won't depress. My brake switch is working as my brake lights come on. Additionally, the windows, sunroof and rear window suddenly won't roll down. And finally, my brake light is on even with the parking brake disengaged and the brake master full of fluid.

Any ideas? Where to start?

Lots of ideas.

For the lights coming on when you shift to drive, it seems like a ground issue. Something that is powered when in drive, and shares ground with those lights, has a poor ground so the ground is achieved through the circuit of the lights. Since the "pillar gauges" are not OEM, I'd start by looking at where the light is grounded, if you piggy backed an existing ground circuit make sure it is good. If you are sharing a ground with another wire, make sure all of it is good.

For the shift lock, you need to understand there is a relay/computer that handles that, it takes input from the brake switch, but it also requires two other power sources and a good ground. You need to begin by checking fuses, with a multimeter or a test light, none of this pulling it and looking at it stuff. This could also be the cause of your brake light being on, but I'd need to look at the EWD and I'm just overwhelmed.

 

[rmlamp]

Lots of ideas.

For the lights coming on when you shift to drive, it seems like a ground issue. Something that is powered when in drive, and shares ground with those lights, has a poor ground so the ground is achieved through the circuit of the lights. Since the "pillar gauges" are not OEM, I'd start by looking at where the light is grounded, if you piggy backed an existing ground circuit make sure it is good. If you are sharing a ground with another wire, make sure all of it is good.

For the shift lock, you need to understand there is a relay/computer that handles that, it takes input from the brake switch, but it also requires two other power sources and a good ground. You need to begin by checking fuses, with a multimeter or a test light, none of this pulling it and looking at it stuff. This could also be the cause of your brake light being on, but I'd need to look at the EWD and I'm just overwhelmed.

I was able to resolve the shift lock and window situation. I'm down to the lights on in drive situation. I have narrowed it down to the "gauge" circuit, I pulled the "gauge" fuse in the fuse box inside the car and the lights shut off. There is also a weird hum coming from behind the gauge cluster. I'm going to pull the cluster and see whats going on behind there.

 

[Scallywag303]

It looks like the turn switch is part of the gauge circuit, it is possible that switch is bad and back feeding through the cluster. Bad turn switches can do some weird things. Here are some wiring diagrams for that circuit if it helps.