I need electrical help.

I have a 2002 Tacoma Prerunner, with the 3.4 V6. I have searched and searched, and cannot find my issue anywhere online.

Here's my problem. I stopped to get gas, and suddenly my truck has no electric power. Here's where mine differs from every thread I found. If I turn the key to accessory, I have power. Radio, everything. But, when I turn the key to on, not start, just one turn past accessory, all power shuts off.

I have a red top optima battery, that is only a few months old. Using my voltmeter, it reads 12.76 volts. I also had it tested at the auto parts store I bought it at, and the computer said the battery is good. The guy said it sounds like the starter. I don't understand how that's possible, since it loses power before I ever engage the starter.

As I said, I cannot find any threads with my issue. Jumping it does nothing. Likely because it loses all power before I even get to the starter part of the ignition. Any help would be immensely appreciated. My baby is sitting in a parking lot right now, and I don't live in the best area. I'm worried it's going to get broken into, or my catalytic converter will be stolen, or both.

Please help!

 

Sounds like a failed ignition switch based on your symptoms.

 

Is it manual or auto ?

 

It's an auto. Sorry forgot to mention that.

 

See if any of the fuses powered by the BLACK/YELLOW wire have power in the ON position.
If not, it’s probably the ignition switch like DM said.

 

How many miles on the ignition switch.....that should be swapped out every 120K or so....
Nothin lasts forever....



Same with actual key part.....after 150K+ they can just flat wear out.....
you get that 'lock key' .....cant turn the truck off.....

 

Which fuses are those? Are the wires underneath the fuse block?

I really appreciate you guys responding so quickly. Thank you.

 

Agree it sure sounds like the ignition switch .

In run you had a complete lose of power ? Even non switched power like head lights ,brake lights and flashers ?

 

Yes. In accessory I had full power. But in the run position, it's dead. I didn't check headlights or brake lights. Anything that doesn't require the ignition to be on, to have power, I didn't think to check.

 

Test any one of these with a test light or voltage meter.
Or just try and turn on your turn signals with the key Switched to ON. But a definite NO POWER diagnoses would to be test all the fuses powered by the ON position of the ignition switch.

 

It has 203,000 miles, 190,000 when I bought it. So I'm betting it's the original. It was very well maintained. I have a very detailed Carfax report, and the previous owners took it to dealerships for EVERYTHING.

 

Also should of said any electrical......you always inspect grounds first......

 

Thank you. I will test this in a few minutes.

 

I did inspect the battery grounds, because I saw that in a similar thread.

 

I just tested the headlights, and with the ignition off they worked. With the ignition on accessory where I had power they worked. As soon as I flipped it on they went off. And now they don't turn on at all.

 

And I no longer have power on accessory.

 

That sounds more like a main power or ground problem, you need to check your main cables from the battery to the fuse box, frame, and engine.

 

Just for the fun of it, take both battery cables off, clean them and put them back on.

 

A loose battery cable acts like this.

 

Ok, with the ignition switch in the on position, and I have no power, but all those fuses my test light does light up. So they are getting power to the fuses even though nothing else seems to work. Oh well I just realized something, after I tested those fuses, I all the sudden got power in the on position. So then I tried to start it and it clicked and I lost all power again.