Electrical/Power Issue

Hoping I explain this clearly, because I need suggestions.

Before unlocking the truck, when walking up to it, I keep noticing indicator lights on inside. I've come across the compass/thermometer in the rearview mirror on, the passenger airbag light on, the parking gear (on the dash) indicator on/green.

Is something not shutting off when the key is turned off and removed?

It is causing my battery to die in extremely cold spells because of the extra drain on power.

The first time the truck was dead because of this, I jumped it and took it in since it was under warranty(and of course everything seemed to be normal). However, I just crossed the warranty threshold, and am no longer under warranty.

'13 DCSB 4x4 TRD Sport 6cyl ~37-38K miles.

I need help finding the problem, because my wife is the one driving it as her DD for the time being, and it's left her dead at home twice. Not good for a 7-month pregnant woman.

Any ideas?

 

Bump.

 

I don't have a wiring diagram in front of me, and not digging one up at the present moment, but it sounds as though the accessory or ignition relay is sticking on, or the ignition switch is maintaining contact with the accessory terminals while in the off position. If it's that intermittent, it might be tough to track down though. What happens when you open the door? Do the lights/compass/indicators stay on?

 

I am sorry that you are having electrical problems with your Tacoma. If you could answer some questions about your problem we may be able to help find your problem. Have you added any electrical accessories to your Truck, like external lights or added a aftermarket radio and amp ? Do the internal lights stay on all the time, or just when it is cold ? Have you tried removing the ground cable from the battery and reinstalling it to see if the lights come back on after doing that ? Have you tried having the battery checked and see if it failing, it could have an internal short in the battery causing it to flow power in both directions ? I know that last one is a long shot in the dark, but stranger things have happened before.
You could have a main relay sticking that is located in the main fuse panel under the hood. Your ignition switch could be failing also, it is not located in the steering column, that is the lock cylinder. The ignition switch should be mounted on top of the steering column at the firewall and it could be loose. I hope some of this helps. Good Luck.

 

I'm not an electrically inclined person, but I'll troubleshoot what I can.

I haven't added anything to the truck. It is completely stock.

I seem to only notice the compass and indicators stay on when it is cold. The truck seems to be perfectly normal when it isn't freezing.

The lights and compass and park indicator do not go off once I open the door.

I took the truck in, after jump starting it, the first time it killed the battery. Toyota said they couldn't find anything wrong, and the battery tested perfect.

My wife shot me a text yesterday saying she went to the truck during her lunch break, and the parking position green P was illuminated again. She put the key in, turned the truck on and off, and it went away.

Frustrating...

 

I could really use some help with this issue. The truck ended up dead at my wife's office, but someone was nice enough to jump the truck (we had the cables).

I took the factory battery to O'Reilly's, and they tested it. It wouldn't even register back.

Bought a new battery. Replaced. Starts right up.

However, my problem continues. The compass/temp gauge and the air bag orange light, as well as the "P" park light are all illuminated.

When I take the key out of the ignition, it all goes off, but it all comes back on just a few seconds after. I tried looking at the fuse box next to the battery, but I can't tell which fuse or relay goes to the compass, etc.

Please, help.

 

One more update. Pulled fuse #'s 23 and 26. They're both 7.5 fuses. Both looked to be intact. Put them back in.

The compass and everything else listed was off. I put the key in the ignition, turned it to run, so everything would come up. Turned it back off and removed the key. Shut the door and locked her up.

Everything stayed off. I'll be keeping an eye on it to see if it comes back on. Just confused.

 

So the issue is repeatable now? If it is, are you under warranty, or over due to mileage? If it's repeatable and under warranty, take it to a dealer.

Edit, was looking for a wiring diagram online (didn't find) while you posted the update. If or when it happens again, try to duplicate it for the dealer.

Edit again, I see in post #1 that you are over milage for base warranty. I'll keep looking for a diagram. Check the body ground cable from the battery to the inner fender for a tight connection free of paint and dirt / corrosion, and check the engine ground cable too.

 

Sorry man, despite all my looking, I cannot find a diagram, or anywhere to download them free. I'm going to suggest the 1 day subscription to TIS (Toyota Information System) for $15, and you can download the diagrams there, then look for common links between the compass, shift indicator light, and SRS light. Hope this helps some.

 

Lane, you need to take this truck to a electrical specialist for diagnosis and repair. You mentioned not being inclined to electrical repair, and sometimes a professional is needed to fix a problem. A properly trained technician will be able to perform a voltage drop test on the electrical circuits and will find out what needs to be replaced. I believe you have a stuck relay in your main fuse panel causing the problem, but if you want this fixed quickly and correctly without a bunch of guessing, I would go to a professional. Do not return to the dealership that told you there is no problem, but find a independent repair shop that does only electrical work. Good Luck.

 

If you initially reported the problem under warranty wouldn't the problem still be covered since they failed to fix it properly under the warranty claim? I would also argue that an electrical issue is pretty much independent of mileage, so they should cover it in good faith since the truck is still within the 3 year time period.

Using my admittedly simple electrical knowledge:

My thoughts are you probably have a stuck or defective relay. This could easily be exacerbated by the cold.

Not a "fuse" issue, for sure.

I doubt it is a ground issue, a ground fault typically would result in components not working; you seem to have the opposite problem.

I wonder if you have some issue with the retained accessory power feature (the feature allowing the windows to be operated for a short time after the truck is turned off). Maybe find the circuit for that and pull the fuse to essentially shut it down and see if the problem continues...?

 

That's what I was going to say. You already reported it to them while still under warranty, so you should still be covered for this issue.

 

The lights were back on in the truck this morning. I'm going to end up calling the dealership I brought it to while it was under warranty. I hope they consider it part of the complaint that I had checked out while it died then. It's ridiculous that a truck that isn't even two years old wouldn't be covered just because of mileage racked fast.

My wife called the second time the truck died, and the dealership told her to bring it in.... Life was busy at that time, and I couldn't find a way to get the truck over to them and have us with one vehicle.

Gonna try to track down the same person that I dealt with the first time.

If they aren't as helpful as I'm hoping, I'll call the dealership I bought it from. The one I bought it from is family owned.

 

X2

 

Update: dropping off the truck this evening at the dealer. Talked to the person who helped me last time and explained that it was the same issue that I had reported under warranty. Going from there.

My own guess would be A. starter relay, or B. starter switch.

 

Dealership called me Saturday morning. Said they have come to the realization that there is an electrical issue (duh), but they still have the truck. Working to track down the problem.

Hoping to hear back today.

 

Well, just thought I'd post up the results of the dealership's findings.

"There was a wire or two that had been rubbing against something in the junction box."

They are replacing it under warranty (and re-routing the wires so they don't have the same problem) since I had brought it in before for the power draining issue while the truck was under warranty.

Tried selling me $98 worth of filters to replace; I said no thank you, I can do that myself.

All-in-all though, successful trip! Truck will be done today.

 

PM'ed. Cannot help with the issue, but I do have the wiring diagrams.

 

Interesting did they say what wire was it and which juntion box?

Also for those trying to troubleshoot similar problem, Harbor frieght has the tester to check current draw at fuses. You pull fuse out of the box and put into the tool than plug tool instead of Fuse.
Easy way to find the lines drawing all the power from the battery.

 

Excellent. Glad they came through for you this time..