Issue with dash & all electronics resetting....

[adio3x]

Greetings all!

Just seeing if the Toyota Gods out there might have an answer for this strange issue I've been having recently. Basically whenever I start the ignition and drive for a little while, a weird series of events start to happen. First my head unit & hardwired radar detector reset. Then a few seconds later the dash will reset, sometimes all the lights come on and it seems like it it dies for a split second but then goes back to normal, other times the dash will just reset for a split second. Anyone else have this problem?

I have a 2010 SR5 with 145k miles. Running a dual battery with 2 group 31 Optima yellow tops. Checked all the connections at both batteries and they look fine. Voltage reads 13.4-13.6, both batteries have plenty of juice.

Did some reading, but couldn't find a solid answer. Some say the ignition could be at fault, others say alternator.

**EDIT** I was able to capture a small bit of what is happening. This was after it had already reset and all the lights on the dash lit up. Seems to happen in short bursts. Just a side note, the maintenance light is blinking cause of an oil change coming up. TPMS light has been on for 2+ years. This time it reset, the dash, the head unit, and radar went out at the same time.

https://streamable.com/u8hz4

Thanks all!

~Andrew

 

[GChristo]

Curious, what's your voltage right before/during/after the electronics reset (e.g. from OBDII or other cabin voltmeter)? Also, given this is a dual-bat system, does the issue happen when you isolate the second battery so your electrical is close-ish to stock?

 

[adio3x]

Curious, what's your voltage right before/during/after the electronics reset (e.g. from OBDII or other cabin voltmeter)? Also, given this is a dual-bat system, does the issue happen when you isolate the second battery so your electrical is close-ish to stock?

Right before and after, it's reading around 13.2-13.6. During I'm not sure cause everything resets including the scan gauge lol.

At the moment I have each battery setup to run independently. This issue started about 3 months ago (dual battery has been in for almost a year), so to make sure, I did try and disconnect the second battery at one point, but it still continued to happen.

 

[keph13]

Are there any weird noises or anything? I'm wondering if the starter is getting triggered, since I believe that causes the head unit to turn off, and if it drew enough juice could trigger some sort of reset for the rest of the system.

Do you have a remote starter or aftermarket alarm or anything installed?

 

[adio3x]

Are there any weird noises or anything? I'm wondering if the starter is getting triggered, since I believe that causes the head unit to turn off, and if it drew enough juice could trigger some sort of reset for the rest of the system.

Do you have a remote starter or aftermarket alarm or anything installed?

No sounds.

No remote starter or alarm.

I was able to capture a little bit of what goes on. This was after everything reset and all the lights turned on. When it happens, it seems to happen in small bursts.

This time head unit, radar, dash, reset at the same time. Maintenance light is cause I have an oil change coming up. TPMS light has been on for 2 years lol.

https://streamable.com/u8hz4

 

[keph13]

Hmm. Maybe check all the harnesses in the engine bay for damage? If something is shorting I could see it resetting a computer somewhere. Have you pushed extra wires through the firewall? That might be a good place to check too. Otherwise maybe a loose connection in the steering column from the key (although I would think the engine would stutter if the key looked like it was turned off).

 

[GChristo]

Hmm. Maybe check all the harnesses in the engine bay for damage? If something is shorting I could see it resetting a computer somewhere. Have you pushed extra wires through the firewall? That might be a good place to check too. Otherwise maybe a loose connection in the steering column from the key (although I would think the engine would stutter if the key looked like it was turned off).

Seconded. Harnesses, seated connectors, lose grounds, pinches, shorts, bat terminals, etc. Anything that was moved, yanked, or close-by during the dual-bat install or other mods that are in the vicinity. I've heard of dash/cabin resets due to issue with ignition but not yet in 4R, worth a consideration.

 

[flyrv9]

I'd check all the electrical connections I could. Battery, alternator etc. Also check all grounds that surfaces are clean and tight. Another thing to check is all wire harnesses for damage. Toyotas and no stranger to rodent damage thats due to soy based wire insulation.

The only time I had strange electrical happenings in a chevy - the computer was the culprit. There might be some tests that could be run to troubleshoot this. diagnostic and load tests for example.

 

[adio3x]

Thanks all! I'll check and report back!