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Funky Electrical Issue, Help!

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by scooterprint, Nov 12, 2020.

  1. Nov 12, 2020 at 5:27 PM
    #1
    scooterprint

    scooterprint [OP] Idiot with a wrench

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    Jeremy
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    Greetings guys,

    I've got a bit of a funky electrical issue. Over the last few weeks, I had my DRLs and Tail lights stay lit after blinking when the truck would lock (normal turns, brakes, and hazards worked just fine). That issue magically disappeared with nothing on my part, after letting it sit overnight and driving the truck around some.

    Tonight I went out to go somewhere in my truck, got in and stuck the key in the ignition, and attempted to start the truck. I heard a pop (Almost like a fuse blowing), and everything went dead. No lights of any kind, no ignition beep, no starter when actuating the key, no locking with the remote, as if someone had completely disconnected the battery. I popped the hood and took the negative battery terminal off and back on. Tundy fired up without any issues and everything was working just fine. I checked all the relays and fuses in the engine bay and driver's side kick panel, and none of them are blown or not working.

    Before I take the truck in to toyota so they can empty my wallet and steal a limb or two, does anyone have any ideas?

    04 DC Limited, only electrical modifications to my knowledge is a TBC and LEDs inside and out (PNP replacements, no wiring modification).
     
  2. Nov 13, 2020 at 6:55 PM
    #2
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    Greetings from Cabot, AR. Strange electrical issue indeed. you've swapped some of the lights in question for aftermarkets. I would start there. I have some LED's in other applications that behave strangely. They glow dimly when turned off, glow dimly when other electrical items are activated etc., but appear to work normal otherwise. Is the issue still occurring?
     
  3. Nov 13, 2020 at 6:59 PM
    #3
    scooterprint

    scooterprint [OP] Idiot with a wrench

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    I haven’t had any more issues since they occurred last, but I’ll get a set of normal bulbs and see if the issue comes up again.
    Thanks
     
    torino69 likes this.
  4. Nov 14, 2020 at 6:58 PM
    #4
    scooterprint

    scooterprint [OP] Idiot with a wrench

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    Welp, Spoke too soon!

    The issue came back! I tried to start my truck and it made the same popping noise again. I left the key in the run position for a few seconds to see if it would do anything, and it started slowly pulsing the interior lights, as well as a relay inside the dash. Again, disconnecting and reconnecting the battery fixed the issue, at least temporarily. Hmm...
     
  5. Nov 15, 2020 at 6:45 AM
    #5
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    Might be bad alternator. How many miles you have on the odo?
     
  6. Nov 15, 2020 at 7:39 PM
    #6
    scooterprint

    scooterprint [OP] Idiot with a wrench

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    214,xxx. I don’t think it’s alternator though. It hasn’t shown signs of sluggish starting or the battery dying. I’ll test it tomorrow though just to be sure.
     
  7. Nov 15, 2020 at 8:22 PM
    #7
    Ry24000

    Ry24000 New Member

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    Wierd! I agree with Knabores start with the lights and check for short circuits and mice damage. can you isolate the popping noise location?
     
  8. Nov 16, 2020 at 11:12 AM
    #8
    bmf4069

    bmf4069 Yup, that's car parts in a dishwasher

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    That sounds like a dead battery to me.
     
    Stuck in the '00s likes this.
  9. Nov 16, 2020 at 11:32 AM
    #9
    Randy Morton

    Randy Morton Life takes its toll, please have exact change.

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    I had similar symptoms on a car years ago. It turned out to be a battery problem. The battery had an internal break that popped open (quite noisily) when I tried to start it. Turning on the lights, or other low drain items, didn't open the circuit. Once I tried to start it, everything went almost dead, but hitting the terminal brought it back. A new battery cleared the problem.
     
  10. Nov 17, 2020 at 10:27 AM
    #10
    Stuck in the '00s

    Stuck in the '00s Experienced member

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    I would lean in this direction and test the battery.
     
  11. Nov 17, 2020 at 10:33 AM
    #11
    bmc02

    bmc02 New Member

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    Battery posts clean? Use a post cleaner brush with male and female wire brush to clean connections really good. It's never that simple, but worth a shot.
     
    Tundra2 and 1lowlife like this.
  12. Nov 17, 2020 at 10:33 AM
    #12
    Toyotoholic

    Toyotoholic -4Life-

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  13. Nov 23, 2020 at 9:41 AM
    #13
    Ry24000

    Ry24000 New Member

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    Please share the outcome of this when you figure it out.
     
  14. Nov 23, 2020 at 9:52 AM
    #14
    scooterprint

    scooterprint [OP] Idiot with a wrench

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    Will do. Going to take it to the dealer sometime soon.
     
  15. Dec 24, 2020 at 8:44 AM
    #15
    scooterprint

    scooterprint [OP] Idiot with a wrench

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    Quick update. Ended up not taking it to the dealer. Issues got worse to the point of not starting.

    Had the battery checked/load tested with no issues. Upon reinstalling I noticed both battery terminals were loose, but no matter how much I tried to tighten em, they wouldn’t budge. Either seized or completely tightened.
    Went and bought new ends for negative and positive connections, as well as a fresh ground wire from neg to chassis.

    The negative terminal was a bear to deal with. I was unable to just use a new connector. I ended up having to use some scrap tin as a spacer to allow me to securely fasten the cable end onto the post.

    Going to keep an eye on things, but so far, so good. A new battery will probably be not far down my list, and hopefully it solves the magical shrinking battery post.
     
  16. Dec 24, 2020 at 8:47 AM
    #16
    Stuck in the '00s

    Stuck in the '00s Experienced member

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    Battery, huh?
     
  17. Dec 24, 2020 at 8:58 PM
    #17
    scooterprint

    scooterprint [OP] Idiot with a wrench

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    I didn’t even know those were a thing. I’ll pick up a set. Thanks!
     

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