Topic: Odd but simple electrical problem?

[Shamb]

So I wanted to do some work on the 4runner today with not much success. Turned the key w/ nothing, checked VDC off the battery and it only had 5 volts so I figured since it was under warranty still i'd swap it out. Swapped it out along with pretty much ALL the fuses just to make sure and I still have nothing at all. No turn signals, no lights, no starter.... NADA. I pulled the fuse block off under the engine compartment and verified i've got voltage on everything, checked the fuse block under the driverside kick panel and also verified I have voltage to everything... but why in the world would it not be turning over?  or even attempting too for that matter.  ECU maybe?

I'm going to change the terminal's tomorrow just to make sure they're getting good contact, anyone have any other directions I can try?

Btw it's an 85' so it's got the 22re if that helps.

[junya92toy]

Check the ignition switch too

[86bobbedtoy]

Check the ignition switch too

x2
does turning the key do anything?

[Shamb [OP]]

nope, checked the ignition fuse (that's what it was last time it did something similar)  but the thing that has me stumped is the lights, gauges, everything.....

does ALL power run off the ignition?  when you turn the lights on and pull the key out the lights still stay on... so you would assume that I should atleast be able to turn the lights on and off but I got nada...

also I did verify voltage to the ignition fuse, not to the ignition itself though, maybe i'll try that tomorrow.

[pumkin toy]

nope, checked the ignition fuse (that's what it was last time it did something similar)  but the thing that has me stumped is the lights, gauges, everything.....

does ALL power run off the ignition?  when you turn the lights on and pull the key out the lights still stay on... so you would assume that I should atleast be able to turn the lights on and off but I got nada...

also I did verify voltage to the ignition fuse, not to the ignition itself though, maybe i'll try that tomorrow.

no not all power runs through the ignition, just like you explained with the headlights.  you said you replaced all the fuses... was that just the small fuses inside the cab?  Check the big black 80 amp fuse in the fusebox under the hood.  that is the main power wire from your battery that powers your entire system.  also check for loose and corroded grounds.  most of the time all of my electrical problems have been caused by grounds

[Shamb [OP]]

pumpkin toy, i've replaced the black 80a fuse along with the 40? and 50?  redish and green fuses. I also pulled that fuse box off and verified voltage on almost all the wires under it that feed everything. i'm assuming the wires that don't have voltage under it are the grounds.

i'm thinking possible ground issue as well.. hmm.. but where is the question.

i checked the battery ground, the fuse block ground and what looks like a ground going to the intake manifold (?)

they all look legit..

[Shamb [OP]]

okay so I had two seperate problems, fixed the no power issue but the truck still wouldn't turn over.. tracked it back to the ignition (thanks to your help)  and while checking for voltage on the ignition I accidently touched the hot to the ignition and the post that was labeled as "AM1" whatever that is... truck started right up... so I ordered an ignition from Kragen for $83 should be here by Tuesday.

I found alot of interesting wiring issue with the truck though... not sure how i'm going to tackle that... i may just take it to a local shop to see if they can make sure everythings legit.

[pumkin toy]

okay so I had two seperate problems, fixed the no power issue but the truck still wouldn't turn over.. tracked it back to the ignition (thanks to your help)  and while checking for voltage on the ignition I accidently touched the hot to the ignition and the post that was labeled as "AM1" whatever that is... truck started right up... so I ordered an ignition from Kragen for $83 should be here by Tuesday.

I found alot of interesting wiring issue with the truck though... not sure how i'm going to tackle that... i may just take it to a local shop to see if they can make sure everythings legit.

hey man glad you fixed it!  so what was the other problem, besides the ignition switch?  BTW that must be your daughter in your avatar?..... she is super cute!

[stinger]

my toy will start with any key an you can pull the original key out after started an it will still stay running.

[junya92toy]

Very common.

[Cheesemaker]

Shamb, are you saying the wiring in it has been hacked into? 

Maybe a new harness would be in order. 

[Shamb [OP]]

hey man glad you fixed it!  so what was the other problem, besides the ignition switch?  BTW that must be your daughter in your avatar?..... she is super cute!

Yea that is my daughter, thanks!  she's a handful  

Cheesemaker how difficult is it to replace a complete wiring harness??     there's alot of plug's that aren't plugged into anything which I find kind of odd and one of the round plugs has a jumper that's jumping into itself... no clue what that's about either.. i'm thinking about pulling the jumper out of the plug to see what it changes. Looks like alot of odd and end stuff left behind from the PO from a CB and ton's of stereo wires. I'll probably pull all of that out and start fresh just to make it easier on myself.

[Rocksurfer]

My red 86 had a bunch of ? wires from all kinds of add-ons old and new. So I just removed everything that was not a part of the original harness. There were 3 different alarms a few old stereo leads aux lights, etc. etc. I pulled all of it and started fresh with new wiring for what I planned on installing. I did have to completely cut out the radio wires since as I found out that's where my true problem was occuring and shorting out my truck. Once I got things right I never had another problem.

[Shamb [OP]]

so it wasn't the ignition.... i put the new one in with the same problem and found a bunch of funk wiring under the hood along with some off the wall stuff under the dash board... not sure really what i'm going to do next..

there's obviously a cut or shorted wire somewere.. but I havn't a clue where... does anyone have a wiring diagram for an 85' that I can look at to try and trace where the wires SHOULD go as appose to where they are going?

also under the passenger side engine bay there's a round 3 prong plug that has a jumper that's jumping into itself. if I pull that wire the truck won't start even if I jump the wiring on the ignition.. jumping the wiring to the ignition gives me power to the rest of the insturment panel but the jumper under the engine bay is what i'm assuming feeders power to the starter somehow... even though the wires on the starter itself look stock.

[Shamb [OP]]

i posted a thread on pirate, i got pic's on there

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=976022

[Fo-runna]

I'll look when I get home tonight. I looked at the pics on Pirate and like I said, if you want to look at mine to try and figure it out you're more than welcome. Also, I bet there is at least a dozen plugs that don't plug into anything  and it came that way from the factory.