Ignition problem (D4D)

[perth_GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close perth_GXL]

All

Driving home today from a weekend away and every so often all the dash lights would light up for a few seconds, the speedo would go crazy and then everything would go back to normal. No loss of power or anything, just the lights. It did kick me out of cruise control though. Tried turning a number of things off (a/c, cruise control, DC-charger) but nothing seemed to make any difference. After about 10 times of doing this every 5 or 6 minute, the problem disappeared. We stopped after no lights coming on for 30min and the car started normally. But 100m down the road, all the lights came on and stayed on. At this point the car was running ok, but I know there was no indicators working. Stopped the car and turned the ignition off. Tried to start the car and nothing. The lights on the dash turn on but no click or anything at the start position. No power to the windows, or headlights or anything (although hazard light worked, even though the indicators did not).

The car is a pretty standard D4D GXL (09 model) with 120k on the clock. It does have a DC-DC charger for the 2nd battery which is switched on with the ignition circuit. This has been installed for all of the car's life and has worked faultlessly, but it does tap into the ignition circuit, so I mention it.

Checked the ignition fuses and all seemed to be ok. Both batteries are charged (checked this during the trip too). Got recovered to home (RAC said we were in a dangerous position and would not send a car) and then got the RAC out. Guy checked a few things with multimeter but had no idea (and did not really appear interested - he did not even switch off the ignition to his car!!)

Next step is to get it towed to a auto electrician, but before I did, I thought I would ask if anyone has seen this before or provide any helpful hints.

Thanks in advance
Tim

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Turn on headlights and try and start car, if the engine doesn't crank and no click is heard but the lights remain on then I would be checking the fuseible links and fuses etc. Note a fuse/links can look fine but have hair line cracks so check with a meter.

If the lights go out when you try and crank or look dim check the battery and terminals etc.

[perth_GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close perth_GXL]

Thanks for the suggestion LeighW. Unfortunatley the lights do not come on at all. There appears not to be much powered when on acc or on (ie no indicators, windows, lights....).

Tim

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

Hi Tim,

First off what is the battery terminal voltage with the lights in the on position, check the
voltage on the battery terminal post and the terminals?


Also check the 120A ALT fusible link.

[perth_GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close perth_GXL]

Thanks Leigh, I will check tonight. Battery was charging yesterday during the drive ok (sitting at ~13.7V). I checked the posts after getting towed home, and the battery was 12.4V, which was a bit low seeing as there was no significant load on it, but I don't think low enough. I did not check the terminals themselves though.

[perth_GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close perth_GXL]

Battery voltage was down to 11.7 tonight and was the same at the posts and terminals. This was down from 12.4 yesterday. However, there was a bit of testing, if the glow plugs are working may have used up some juice. I disconnected the neg terminal and there is a 14mA current running through the system, which does not seem high (battery is a century overlander 700). Perhaps a faulty battery? But is this the cause or end result?

I tried to turn on the headlights and nothing happened. Voltage stayed the same and the headlights remained off.
iable link and it seems ok, but could not figure out a way to get inside the enclosure without destroying it. From reading on the web the link is bolted in from underneath. Certainly a solid tug did nothing.

This link http://www.pradopoint.com/archive/in...p/t-35189.html describes the symptoms pretty well, but I have not been through any water recently. This seemed to end up being a faulty alternator, which took out the alt fusible link.

I have the battery on charge (with it disconnected) to see if it makes any difference, but I doubt it.

Any further suggestions?

Tim

[sunny120 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sunny120]

Check main fuses. Strange that you aren't getting any lights as they should be working even at 11.7v, just very dim. Make sure main body earth is clean/tight as well. In fact check all fuses as most manufacturers piggy back fuses for various things now a days.

[perth_GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close perth_GXL]

Problem solved - it was the 50A AM1 fusible link - the 140A ALT link was ok. Fortunately these can be just pulled out, so I swapped it with the air suspension one (which is not needed on the GXL) and all good. A replacement has been sourced, but it is good to know a spare exists. At a pinch there is also the heater link, which could also be used I guess.

I guess the dash lights coming on and off was as the fuse was on its way out and making intermittent open circuit.

The question now turns to - why did it blow. Any likely causes? Not a fan of "one of those things" but will see how it goes for a while before spending any more time on it. But if anyone has any likely suspects, please let me know.

Thanks to all for their help and suggestions - the web at its best.

For those interested, i found this http://www.moranbahweather.com/toyot...ts/index3.html. Needs internet explorer to work....
Tim