2006 Prerunner lost all electrical power and shut off while driving

On my way home tonight and she shut off instantly at 50mph. Got towed home from a friend. Did a quick check over fuses, battery connections etc. Every thing looked good. Put a known good battery in it and nothing.

Funny thing is, the headlights, brake lights and everything outside works fine. The instrument panel lights up when you turn the key like normal, but no power at all to the starter. The radio and climate control do not work either.

I don't have time to get into it tonight, but is there anything obvious I should be looking for with these symptoms?? I am mechanically inclined, but I figured you guys could possibly point me in the right direction. I figure it is ignition related. Thanks in advance!

 

sounds like the fuel pump stopped working.

 

Hear the starter clicking or does it attempt to turn over?

Check the leads/terminals on from the alternator to the battery and the starter leads.

 

It does not attempt to turn over. I think this rules out the fuel pump. It's too late for me to do anything tonight. But I will get underneath tomorrow and check/clean all the leads and terminals.

 

Double check the starter fuse, google anything that would prevent the starter from engaging.

In my dads 2007 f150, it wouldnt start if a brake light fuse is popped. Took us 2 days to figure that out and sure enough, the rear brake fuse was blown.

 

Man that sounds scary, what happens when a truck just "shuts off" at 50mph? Is it abrupt, or a slow descent? That would suck being on a freeway and having that happen...

Good luck OP

 

Slow descent, but no brakes or steering. Hoping it's just a fuse or something simple. Never had something like that happen before!

 

Top... Of the morning

 

Figure this one out?

 

Yup. Blown 140 alternator fuse. I got the fuse out which was a major pain. I'll get a new one in it tomorrow along with a new battery since it's almost 5 years old. Just need to figure out why it blew now

 

Good to hear

 

I got the positive cable from the box to the alternator off. It had a 1/4" section of exposed copper. The little black ground wire was burnt off also. I'm assuming the ground wire is supposed to be soldered to the main power?? I couldn't see any where else the ground would attach to.

 

I believe the wire youre talking about grounds to the frame. Dont quote me on that.

 

A ground wire will never be connected to a main power wire, or charge wire in this case. Can you post a picture of what you're dealing with?