Help! Multiple Electrical Failures when started - Toyota Sequoia

Tiny
MILEMARKER60
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA
  • 121,000 MILES
I need you help please. Here's the background. 2003 Sequoia 4x4 LTD w/ 121K miles. Just returned from the lake, 2.5hr trip, unloaded and let sit approx. 3hrs. Went out to move to another garage bay, started and put in drive and all interior electrical components went dark. No issues prior.

Doesn't Work Now:
-Instrument Cluster. NO odometer, NO functioning gauges, NO backlighting, NO transmission indicator
-Heater A/C Controls Front & Rear
-Power Windows
-Sunroof
-Radio
-4x4 Controls
-Turn Signals
-Power Outlets
-Rear DVD/Entertainment
-Basically ANYTHING requiring the key to be switched to the ON position

Here's what STILL works:
-Starts & Drives
-Headlight/tail/brake Manually turned on at switch
-Horn
-Keyless Entry. Locks, unlocks, chirps, flashes lights
-Door Lock Switch
-Hazards
-Backlighting on Heater Controls Front & Rear
-Dome Lights

I have physically inspected and checked continuity on every fuse in all locations under-hood and in the cabin. Battery shows full charge and no obvious burn smells noted anywhere within the truck. Volt Meter reading remains constant at 12.8v with the engine running or off and decreases to 12.4v with the lights switched on. Alternator does not appear to be coming on line. As I understand it, the truck "excites" the alternator when key turned to or passed accessory thus energizing the regulator which effectively tells it to start producing power. I do not believe that the alternator is the culprit as she starts and drives just fine and there is no difference to the issue at hand hooked to a power cart with a batt voltage of 14.5v. My brain tells me its something to do with the ignition switch or instrument cluster. I've searched high and low on this forum as well as asked "Mr. Google" all to no avail.

In a nut shell, I started it and something switched off all electrical items associated with the key being in the "on" or "accessory" position.

Ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Dave
Monday, June 24th, 2013 AT 1:57 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It has to be one of the fuses pictured or a bad connection in the fuse box. Use a test light with key on to check fuses. Also if you got them from harbor freight throw them away because they don't blow when they are supposed to and will burn your harness up. Turn your key on and pull fuse to see if the fuses I've pointed out are actually getting power or not as well.
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Monday, June 24th, 2013 AT 7:30 AM
Tiny
MILEMARKER60
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you very much for your reply. I just went thru and checked continuity on every circuit once again and just found that the 40a main in the cabin was cracked at its base. When originally checked the pressure of the tester made it contact but when released all circuits it feeds went dead.

Thanks again,
Dave
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Monday, June 24th, 2013 AT 8:07 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Thought something like that would do it.
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Monday, June 24th, 2013 AT 8:08 AM
Tiny
TOMBUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I hope you are still on this website, HMAC300. Sometimes when I go to start the 2002 Sequoia, nothing electric is working, nothing on the panel, no radio, windows, heat/AC, inside lights, nothing. But it starts and drives fine. Then. After driving for a bit (10 mins) everything suddenly turns on, like magic. Then, a couple times, my headlights come on by themselves in the garage and run the battery down. When I take it in, its working fine. It has a new battery, so I doubt that is the culprit. Ideas?
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Saturday, December 10th, 2016 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
First you should repost your question not as an add on to someone else's reply. But do like he did and check all your fuses and grounds especially battery to body ground for headlights It may be a module problem so have it scanned for codes by a mechanic as auto parts scanners don't do that among other things.
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Saturday, December 10th, 2016 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
TOMBUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks!
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Saturday, December 10th, 2016 AT 1:39 PM

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