Turn key absolutely nothing happens. tranded waiting for tow truck.

[blackmax]

Stranded. So my 2003 4Runner V6 wont turn over. Put the key in the ignition on the lights come on everything is perfectly normal turn the key absolutely nothing happens nothing. The battery is perfectly fine. There's no clicking no nothing just silence. This happened a few days ago and I had the car towed. As soon as they took it off the toe Truck 3 miles away and started right up again. It happened again two days ago and I let it cool off for 15 minutes and it started up so I assume this is a heat thing. Today however it happened and I'm let it sit for several hours now and it still will not turn.

Again it is NOT the battery. It is NOT the battery cables for connection to the terminals. There are no sounds or clicking noises whatsoever. This has only happened when the engine is warm so far. Actually hot. But the strange thing is that this time he engine is cooled off to the touch and still the problem persists. Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? I really haven't. I guess you could go down the heat soak to the starter road but I'm sure that's not yet. He's so at the solenoid but again it's cold now so that doesn't seem like it would be the cause. Ignition switch? I guess perhaps but what would the temperature of the engine have to do with that? Neutral safety switch? I guess it could be but I've tried jiggling the shifter trying to start it in neutral everything under the sun that doesn't seem to be. I'm stumped

Stranded over an hour from my house waiting for AAA now. Second tow in one week. I'm going to have to figure this out thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[lightfreak]

I’d probably start at the EFI fuse in the engine bay fuse box , pull and examine the legs.
If one the legs is loose/partially broken it will cause this exact problem.

 

[blackmax]

I’d probably start at the EFI fuse in the engine bay fuse box , pull and examine the legs.
If one the legs is loose/partially broken it will cause this exact problem.

Great horny toads! I'll be Gall darn if I didn't get out take that relay out and replace it and it started right up. Holy crap I can't believe it was as simple as that and there's no mention of that fix anywhere on the internet that I've been able to discern over the last week. You the man!:spit::thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[Fern]

I’d probably start at the EFI fuse in the engine bay fuse box , pull and examine the legs.
If one the legs is loose/partially broken it will cause this exact problem.

Someone buy this guy a beer!:beer:

 

[blackmax]

I’d probably start at the EFI fuse in the engine bay fuse box , pull and examine the legs.
If one the legs is loose/partially broken it will cause this exact problem.

can someone explain why this worked? I'm starting to get a little worried that it may have been coincidental and this may not have actually been the the fix. How would an EFI relay cause the vehicle not to crank? I'm worried about getting stranded again and finding out that this really wasn't what allowed the vehicle to crank. Although it sure is coincidentally fiddle with it for 3 hours and then 5 seconds after I removed and replaced that relay it did start.

Been able to find absolutely not one word on the internet about and EFI relay Auto 4th gen being the culprit in a no crank. ??

 

[Toyojay]

can someone explain why this worked? I'm starting to get a little worried that it may have been coincidental and this may not have actually been the the fix. How would an EFI relay cause the vehicle not to crank? I'm worried about getting stranded again and finding out that this really wasn't what allowed the vehicle to crank. Although it sure is coincidentally fiddle with it for 3 hours and then 5 seconds after I removed and replaced that relay it did start.

Been able to find absolutely not one word on the internet about and EFI relay Auto 4th gen being the culprit in a no crank. ??

If the relay is old, the contacts can come loose from age, and vibrations from the vehicle. That relay provides power to the fuel pump among other things. The fact that there is silence is most likely because the ECM probably shuts all cranking power if it doesn't receive a signal from the fuel pump at startup. Loose contacts are connected sometimes and not connected others. Hence why its an intermittent problem and not constant. Now would be a good time to go through and check all the relays in the box.

 

[blackmax]

If the relay is old, the contacts can come loose from age, and vibrations from the vehicle. That relay provides power to the fuel pump among other things. The fact that there is silence is most likely because the ECM probably shuts all cranking power if it doesn't receive a signal from the fuel pump at startup. Loose contacts are connected sometimes and not connected others. Hence why its an intermittent problem and not constant. Now would be a good time to go through and check all the relays in the box.

Thanks for the info much appreciated.

 

[jbtvt]

Specifically, the EFI relay provides power to your ECU. Which isn't to say that it might've been your starter relay as well (you didn't mention if it died or just wouldn't start, did you?) and fiddling in the box gave the pins a better seat, or starter solenoid or any number of other things, but EFI relay is a definite possibility.

 

[blackmax]

MAYDAY MAYDAY again....

Specifically, the EFI relay provides power to your ECU. Which isn't to say that it might've been your starter relay as well (you didn't mention if it died or just wouldn't start, did you?) and fiddling in the box gave the pins a better seat, or starter solenoid or any number of other things, but EFI relay is a definite possibility.

Uh oh.....HELP AGAIN!! Okay, since that day, what, 1 month ago or more? ......there has been no problem. Then, yesterday it did it again. Fiddled briefly with the relays and it started right up.

THEN.....this morning I'm on the freeway, rush-hour traffic and realize my engine is no longer running!!! The engine actually died while driving. I turn the key....nothing. I literally have to stop IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AT RUSH HOUR......put the flashers on, get out and wiggle the relays again....get in and somehow it starts right up.

--> Well, I'm at work now, ready to head home, and it won't start! I've pulled the EFI relay out this time....fiddled all I can....NOTHING! CRAP!! Thoughts? Just a straight up bad relay??

 

[AuSeeker]

Uh oh.....HELP AGAIN!! Okay, since that day, what, 1 month ago or more? ......there has been no problem. Then, yesterday it did it again. Fiddled briefly with the relays and it started right up.

THEN.....this morning I'm on the freeway, rush-hour traffic and realize my engine is no longer running!!! The engine actually died while driving. I turn the key....nothing. I literally have to stop IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AT RUSH HOUR......put the flashers on, get out and wiggle the relays again....get in and somehow it starts right up.

--> Well, I'm at work now, ready to head home, and it won't start! I've pulled the EFI relay out this time....fiddled all I can....NOTHING! CRAP!! Thoughts? Just a straight up bad relay??

If you haven't replaced the relay with a new one then it could very well be the issue, it apparently has seen better days and now it's most likely totally shot.

 

[lightfreak]

Swap the fog relay with the EFI relay and see if it works. There's a number of identical 4 pin relays in there actually. Fog lights aren't critical though. The AC115V Relay would be another option if you have it.


If you can get it started, limp to the nearest dealership and get a new relay like you were supposed to a month ago :redbrick: Good luck

 

[blackmax]

Okay, purchased and installed a new Denso relay. It worked fine for a few days. Then.....same thing. No start. I've got this down to a science now though....just pop hood, wiggle and/or tap on relay.....restart. BUT, this has now happened multiple times ON the highway. Ridiculously dangerous.

So, any thoughts on what is causing this? The contacts seem good, but maybe I need to look closer. Somebody mentioned the voltage from my alternator (original alternator with 200K on the clock) could be the cause? I don't know. I just know I need to get this fixed. Engine stopping right on the freeway (or any road for that matter) is not a good thing. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[bobizarro]

I feel your pain Blackmax

i am starting to go though the same thing with my wifes 2005 Sport i been keeping an eye on your post .... so far a lot of good information, i wish us both good luck in finding the answer to our pain.

 

[AceSpades]

Okay, purchased and installed a new Denso relay. It worked fine for a few days. Then.....same thing. No start. I've got this down to a science now though....just pop hood, wiggle and/or tap on relay.....restart. BUT, this has now happened multiple times ON the highway. Ridiculously dangerous.

So, any thoughts on what is causing this? The contacts seem good, but maybe I need to look closer.

You need to inspect the part that accepts the relay, those pins could be loose and not biting causing a poor connection. Youll have to pull the spade connector and give it a squeeze with some pliers to help make it bite

 

[blackmax]

Update - Fixed


Well this no start and even stalling on the freeway problem persisted for months. Stalled out on the freeway several times. Stalled while sitting at a stoplight several times. Really was a nightmare. Turns out it had nothing to do with the relay at all or the harness or wiring or anything like that.

So I took it over to a local mechanic to have new rotors and pads put on. I parked the truck gave him a key but told him that if it would not start he would have to pop the hood and tap on the EFI relay. He looked at me like I was crazy. I told him what had been going on and he said he would like that too. I came back after a couple hours and the job was done. He also handed me a little white I think 10-amp amp standard plug-in fuse that hat corrosion on both legs. It hadnot popped it just looked like it had seen better days. He said he replaced it no charge and thinks that might be my problem. Well, that was a month ago and since that time I have not had one issue. That was 100% for sure the problem. Simple $0.05 fuse. I really don't even know which one it was to be honest. It was one of the fuses inside the same fuse box where the EFI relay is housed.

 

[Captsolo]

Stranded. So my 2003 4Runner V6 wont turn over. Put the key in the ignition on the lights come on everything is perfectly normal turn the key absolutely nothing happens nothing. The battery is perfectly fine. There's no clicking no nothing just silence. This happened a few days ago and I had the car towed. As soon as they took it off the toe Truck 3 miles away and started right up again. It happened again two days ago and I let it cool off for 15 minutes and it started up so I assume this is a heat thing. Today however it happened and I'm let it sit for several hours now and it still will not turn.

Again it is NOT the battery. It is NOT the battery cables for connection to the terminals. There are no sounds or clicking noises whatsoever. This has only happened when the engine is warm so far. Actually hot. But the strange thing is that this time he engine is cooled off to the touch and still the problem persists. Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? I really haven't. I guess you could go down the heat soak to the starter road but I'm sure that's not yet. He's so at the solenoid but again it's cold now so that doesn't seem like it would be the cause. Ignition switch? I guess perhaps but what would the temperature of the engine have to do with that? Neutral safety switch? I guess it could be but I've tried jiggling the shifter trying to start it in neutral everything under the sun that doesn't seem to be. I'm stumped

Stranded over an hour from my house waiting for AAA now. Second tow in one week. I'm going to have to figure this out thanks for any help you can provide.

I replaced 4 starters in my 2005 V6 runner. OEM lasted 5 years. Rebuilt at top shop lasted one year. Bought a new starter - lased 4 years then failed.
Put a Quality in there now (with lifetime warrantee), and have a $67 battery in garage as a back up. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007XUICXW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[waypoint]

I use this on my fuse and relay legs: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-D5S-6-D...ywords=deoxit&qid=1567600440&s=gateway&sr=8-6

Bought it after reading a long thread here about the transmission electrical connector pins corroding and breaking in place causing shifting harshness. I pulled every fuse and relay, sprayed them down and let it dry, then reinstalled.

 

[riceandpho]

Update - Fixed


Well this no start and even stalling on the freeway problem persisted for months. Stalled out on the freeway several times. Stalled while sitting at a stoplight several times. Really was a nightmare. Turns out it had nothing to do with the relay at all or the harness or wiring or anything like that.

So I took it over to a local mechanic to have new rotors and pads put on. I parked the truck gave him a key but told him that if it would not start he would have to pop the hood and tap on the EFI relay. He looked at me like I was crazy. I told him what had been going on and he said he would like that too. I came back after a couple hours and the job was done. He also handed me a little white I think 10-amp amp standard plug-in fuse that hat corrosion on both legs. It hadnot popped it just looked like it had seen better days. He said he replaced it no charge and thinks that might be my problem. Well, that was a month ago and since that time I have not had one issue. That was 100% for sure the problem. Simple $0.05 fuse. I really don't even know which one it was to be honest. It was one of the fuses inside the same fuse box where the EFI relay is housed.

white fuse in fusebox is the jumper fuse, that gives power to all the fuses.
10 amp fuses are red in color.
25amp fuse is close to clear, 20amp is yellow.
i would take all the fuses out and inspect it really good.

 

[Pale Rider]

white fuse in fusebox is the jumper fuse, that gives power to all the fuses.
10 amp fuses are red in color.
25amp fuse is close to clear, 20amp is yellow.
i would take all the fuses out and inspect it really good.

Hi riceandpho,

I'm having similar issues to the OP and was wondering if you would mind clarifying your comment: "white fuse in fusebox is the jumper fuse, that gives power to all the fuses."

Where exactly is that jumper fuse?

Can you point it out from this site:

https://fuse-box.info/toyota/toyota-4runner-n210-2003-2009-fuses-and-relay

 

[jbtvt]

He means "short pin", #25