Opened a new can of worms - electrical...

[ShooterMcGavin]

Hey all. First, a thanks to everyone for all the help I have received from searching this site!

I'm not sure if I'm posting this looking for direction in my trouble-shooting, or if I'm just venting Electrical stuff is tough to diagnose on opposite ends of the internet. This may be a long story, but I will try to be detailed.

I bought my '97 4Runner a couple weeks ago. It has power everything and an aftermarket Clifford alarm key-fob for locking and unlocking. Last night, I was trying to diagnose why my interior dome lights (passenger and cargo) would not turn on. I pulled both bulbs, checked them, and left them out. I pulled every fuse (kick panel and engine bay), checked it, and put it back in its spot. I read online that the key-in-ignition buzzer circuit is related to the dome lights, so I fished around above the brake pedal to find anything disconnected (my buzzer doesn't sound either). Under there, covering the main wire cluster, is a small Clifford "box". It has a red LED on the front and a small dial on the side. I noticed that, as I touched wires and connectors, the LED on the front would illuminate briefly, and then turn off. I did turn the dial, but tried to turn it approximately back to where it started.

Driving in to work today... The stereo, the power door locks, and the interior map lights do not work now. I also discovered that the ignition key does not fit any of the door locks, so I cannot lock my car. The key fob still "arms" the alarm, flashing the parking lights, but the doors do not lock. No alarm or horn sounds when I open the door after arming the alarm. I can un-arm the alarm too. Power windows, sunroof, dash lights, brake lights, hazard lights, all work.

I just went out to my unlocked truck and visually checked all fuses, but I did not pull them. I don't seen anything blown. I left the key in the ignition as I poked around under the dash, so I could hear if the stereo turned on, but got nothing. Also, the motor for the antenna does not run any more, probably because the stereo circuit is off.

I was so happy to get my throttle cable adjusted right, along with my clutch last night. Now, I am frustrated. I wanted to take the truck out this weekend, but I can't leave it unlocked in public. If you have any ideas or advice, I'd be very happy to get any tips. I will be working on electrical things this weekend

P.S. I just thought of something promising!... I remember, when I was fooling with the cargo dome light last night, I tried to re-install the bulb. It slipped and went up into the ceiling. As I fished around for it with my fingers, I got a sharp pain in one finger. I touched some things carefully and then I saw a quick spark in the ceiling, where the bulb was resting. I took it all apart and got the bulb out. I put things back together but left the dome light bulbs out. ...I bet I shorted something up there with the bulb and blew a fuse. Ok, at least now I have somewhere to start investigating. I will let you know what I find. Thanks for reading along

 

[I_bRAD]

Don't have any advice on the electrical, but you should be able to get a new key cut at the Toyota dealership with your VIN and ownership.

Chances are the truck was stolen at some point and the ignition lock was replaced. (does your key work in any of the other locks?)

If you don't like carrying two keys you can re-key the ignition lock to match the door keys pretty easily.

 

[hambob]

The most likely source of the problem is the aftermarket alarm install. I would try to find the installation instructions for that alarm and see what circuits were tapped. Then I would verify all the connections. Having the factory wiring diagram to cross reference would help as well. Its usually those unreliable blue wire taps.

Good luck

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Don't have any advice on the electrical, but you should be able to get a new key cut at the Toyota dealership with your VIN and ownership.

Chances are the truck was stolen at some point and the ignition lock was replaced. (does your key work in any of the other locks?)

If you don't like carrying two keys you can re-key the ignition lock to match the door keys pretty easily.

That's exactly what I am planning to do, eventually. I fear what the dealership would charge for that work, so I will wait and get other things fixed first.

The most likely source of the problem is the aftermarket alarm install. I would try to find the installation instructions for that alarm and see what circuits were tapped. Then I would verify all the connections. Having the factory wiring diagram to cross reference would help as well. Its usually those unreliable blue wire taps.

Good luck

I totally agree with your assessment. I hate having to deal with aftermarket electrical stuff (alarms, especially) so I was worried that I would have a long road ahead of me...
I think the last part of my first post was the key to it. I bought new fuses and examined every fuse again. I was getting really discouraged when I got down to the last fuse that I hadn't checked. Well, the last one was blown. I replaced it and I'm back up and running. Sorry for the anxiety, but I was worried until I remembered seeing a tiny spark after I lost the bulb. I'm pretty happy now, but I still don't have functioning dome lights. Maybe someday...

 

[I_bRAD]

That's exactly what I am planning to do, eventually. I fear what the dealership would charge for that work, so I will wait and get other things fixed first.

They key is only 5 bucks or so. Don't even bother getting a quote from the dealer to re-key the lock! they'll likely send it out to a locksmith and then add on a surcharge and it'll wind up to be a hundred bucks or more.

I'm not going to post how 'cause I'm not going to arm punks with the information, but it's not hard to re-key the lock yourself if you've got the current key. You'll need a file and less than an hour of your time start to finish. If you don't know how you'll need to know how to remove the lock cylinder and how it works. This is easily obtainable information with a bit of searching round the net.

Then the ignition will work with either key. Technically your ignition won't be as secure, but the guy with 2 mins and a slide hammer isn't really going to care too much anyhow!