Where To Begin

[4running-n-ND]

I have been coming on here the last two years doing research on primarily tune up and maintenance related issues but now I actually need to ask for help in a matter.

Last week my wife went to drive my SR5 into town. It has the 5vz (V6) motor (1996) with 195,000 trouble free miles.

She had went to start it and it was stone cold dead. This was odd, because over the previous weekend I had driven it a short distance 4-5 days earlier. No issues. Battery is a strong newer Interstate battery.

I had figured the kids left an interior light on or a door wasn't shut all the way.

A neighbor gave her a jump start- the horn went blaring and it had appeared the system was shut down. I get home from work- no reason stood out for the battery to be dead. There was no reset button for the alarm (there are two wires cut in where the descriptions were for where it should be- red and black- I cannot 100% confirm if this is where the alarm reset was and don't feel it is a major factor, but felt I should include it)

I start checking fuses. The only 100Amp fuse was popped. I replace it- ahhhh power to truck how it should be. I turn key. She turns over...

but it does not start. It turns and does all like it should, but is either getting no spark or no gas. The 100 Amp fuse blown coupled with the dead battery leads me to believe it is electrical, which is my weakest link. I did get an OBD reader and it didn't pick up anything, no codes. It wasn't a high dollar one, but it did pick up codes for my work truck so I know it works.

I replaced the ignition coils last summer and those shouldn't be a factor.

I don't even have a clue where as to begin as far as what to look into may be the problem. I may go check for spark tomorrow, but strongly feel this is the problem (lack of spark) but don't know where to begin.

All post and any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tx4r3g]

on my 98 when my battery went dead from light left on and when. my my battery died on me. and i jumpped it. mine does the same thing it cranks but wont start. lights flash horn blows just like it has an alarm and someone is trying to steal it. i all so have a little red led light on the daesh that only blinks after you jump it or reconnect the battery. i have a little black button under the dash that when you turn the key on and then hold the button in it resets the alarm it was on the 4r when my parents bought it in 99. and they never got any key fobs. so i would ck for a rest button under the dash. when mine does this and wont start it disables the ignition and I have no spark untill I reset it. hope this helps.

 

[4running-n-ND]

Thank you much Bill

I have looked and looked for a reset button. I did not locate one. In the '96 apparently the reset is on the drivers side/by where you put your left foot. I looked but all I found is where two wires had been cut (perhaps where someone had the same thing happened and bi passed the reset-maybe??). The other spot is on the dash, which it is not there.

On a '96 will someone please enlighten me where as exactly this reset button is? After reading your post Bill it very well may be the source of my issue. Maybe I am not looking in the right spot. I have taken all the panels and duct work out under the drivers side looking for this reset button. Did google image searchs, looked in chiltons and the 4runner book that came with the truck.

Thanks again, and thanks for any assistance.

 

[4running-n-ND]

going out right now to look under the dash. I don't have the flashing red light. I have an alarm type thing in my center console where the hand brake is.

 

[tx4r3g]

any luck? did you get it figured out yet?

 

[BigSlim]

The box on my 97 that is related to the Toyota Security system is located under my driver's seat. I had the seats out a few days ago for cleaning and found it there. I didn't look it over and have no idea of a reset button is on that thing. But you might check under the seat.

 

[4running-n-ND]

I looked and looked for it, as did my wife. No luck. I did manage to reset manually though (I believe). I saw a post on here about resetting with tripping the locks and turning the key.

Still no luck.

The two things that stump me is it being distributor-less and EFI. I cant conveniently check to see if it is a fuel feeding or lack of spark issue.

Other than a leaky rear main, this truck is solid- thru and thru.

I will give it to next weekend then I may take it somewhere. I really don't know where to start as far as what to look into fixing. ECM? EFI relay? MAF?

If it doesn't have spark where would I begin? Where do all the ignition coils connect to? I do think the 100 amp fuse popping (ALT) is a major factor. Electrics is my weakest of all things with cars. The fuse should of never popped and battery never been dead.

Thanks for the help though. Much appreciated. Your from MN? 4runners eat snow up. I put mine thru some in the winter here in ND. 4runners are perfect IMO for cold weather 4 wheeling. Not heavy like a suburban or Tahoe, but plenty of horses if you need it.

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[4running-n-ND]

The box on my 97 that is related to the Toyota Security system is located under my driver's seat. I had the seats out a few days ago for cleaning and found it there. I didn't look it over and have no idea of a reset button is on that thing. But you might check under the seat.

Thanks for your help BigSlim. I have a box under my seat as well. I strongly do believe the alarm issue has been fixed and it is another electric issue.

I will definitely have a glance at the box tomorrow just to make sure.

 

[Doc2012]

Thanks for your help BigSlim. I have a box under my seat as well. I strongly do believe the alarm issue has been fixed and it is another electric issue.

I will definitely have a glance at the box tomorrow just to make sure.

Have you tried just unplugging the battery or pulling power to the ECU, by either unplugging the battery or unplugging the ECU?

I would also check your wires for exposed places, bad grounds, or anything like that. If you blew the 100A fuse, something made it blow. Gotta figure out what did it.

 

[DH4Runner]

I had a similar problem with my 96 Limited after a ran the battery down. It was towed to a local shop and they said it was an electrical problem related to the security system and that it had to be taken to a toyota shop for reprogramming. I pleaded with him to try anything he could so he went back out and talked with his guys and he found out one of the techs had some 'experience' dealing with toyota security systems and said he could take out the black box to bypass security. He did, and it started right up.

The box they unplugged and removed was just above the dead pedal up under the dash. Maybe try that? Hope that helps

 

[4running-n-ND]

Have you tried just unplugging the battery or pulling power to the ECU, by either unplugging the battery or unplugging the ECU?

I would also check your wires for exposed places, bad grounds, or anything like that. If you blew the 100A fuse, something made it blow. Gotta figure out what did it.

When I looked thru the fuse box beside the battery, I took the battery out.

I strongly feel your assumption of a short somewhere is accurate. I charged the battery good yesterday. Today it is drained again.

In your opinion what may make it short and not start? It turns over and has full power, just wont start.

I will get a little bit more into the wires as the week progresses.

Thank you muchfor the tip and stay safe. If you're in Lejeune (sp) your serving. Thanks!!

 

[4running-n-ND]

I had a similar problem with my 96 Limited after a ran the battery down. It was towed to a local shop and they said it was an electrical problem related to the security system and that it had to be taken to a toyota shop for reprogramming. I pleaded with him to try anything he could so he went back out and talked with his guys and he found out one of the techs had some 'experience' dealing with toyota security systems and said he could take out the black box to bypass security. He did, and it started right up.

The box they unplugged and removed was just above the dead pedal up under the dash. Maybe try that? Hope that helps

"Experience" huh? Imagine that conversation.

"Boss, in my past I know how to fix this but it's stuff I shouldn't really be putting out there".

"oh come on jimmy, he's desperate..."

"ok I'll do it"

When you say dead pedal do you mean the clutch? I did see a black box thing underneath there. I don't know what it may go to and would be hesitant to further add to my problems.

It may be the source of my issues, but if it come to that I may have to break out the cash. I hate having others work on my baby though. I'm going to get down and look at where the starter wire runs and a little more detailed as much as I can see.

Thank you much DH.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I going on a hunch that you somehow tripped the alarm locking down the starter...

Have you tried just turning the key completely on off in the ignition 2 times. This actually resets/overrides the alarm on a 97 limited.

 

[Doc2012]

In your opinion what may make it short and not start? It turns over and has full power, just wont start.
Thank you muchfor the tip and stay safe. If you're in Lejeune (sp) your serving. Thanks!!

I going on a hunch that you somehow tripped the alarm locking down the starter...

Have you tried just turning the key completely on off in the ignition 2 times. This actually resets/overrides the alarm on a 97 limited.

This. If it were the starter, then it wouldn't turn. It'd just sit there.....

Here's what I would do OP.

I would check EVERY fuze in that truck. Both the one's that are under the hood, AND by your knee on the dash by the door.

Pull each and every one. Or, just go get some more and replace them. What's the harm? They're old anyway. Lol.

Pull a Plug. All you need is one. Check for spark. Have your wife/friend/whomever you can get to sit in the truck and try to start it while you watch the plug. Please, for the love of all things you believe in, DO NOT hold the plug while doing this. Set it on the truck between the rad and the rad support.

If you're getting spark, move on to the next logical part of the system. Fuel. If you've replaced all the fuses, then there's a good chance that the fuel pump fuze is no good. SO, if you're not getting fuel, but getting spark, check the fuse again; and if it's still good, you need to look into something with the fuel system. either the injectors aren't firing, or the pump isn't pumping. There's a way to make sure the pump works, but that's too long to type out here. You should be able to hear it kick on when you put the key in the ACC position. That's the pump priming the system.

If you go through all these steps, and can't figure it out, give me a call.

eight twenty eight
three hundred eight
twenty one seventy five

 

[JWaldz]

^^ just cus you post your number in word format doesn't mean we can't understand it lol

I suggest just pm'ing him your number and removing it here. Just my .02

OP, good luck on your issue!

 

[Doc2012]

^^ just cus you post your number in word format doesn't mean we can't understand it lol

I suggest just pm'ing him your number and removing it here. Just my .02

OP, good luck on your issue!

I could care less if you gus have it.

I'm doing it so I don't get spammed by some computer program that will look for the numbers and just take them

If there's anything you guys need, feel free to call anytime. If I don't answer, Text or leave a message and I'll get back to you. I'm either doing one of 5 things. Working on the truck, Getting some booty, working at work, sleeping, or wheeling.:girl:

 

[DH4Runner]

"Experience" huh? Imagine that conversation.

"Boss, in my past I know how to fix this but it's stuff I shouldn't really be putting out there".

"oh come on jimmy, he's desperate..."

"ok I'll do it"

When you say dead pedal do you mean the clutch? I did see a black box thing underneath there. I don't know what it may go to and would be hesitant to further add to my problems.

It may be the source of my issues, but if it come to that I may have to break out the cash. I hate having others work on my baby though. I'm going to get down and look at where the starter wire runs and a little more detailed as much as I can see.

Thank you much DH.

Yeah, that's the area. It should be about 4"x4"x1" if I remember correctly. Find the plug and unplug it. Worse case, plug it back in. I'm just guessing it's a immobilizer of some sort that has been tripped by that security box. At least that's what mine was.