Push start button doesn't do anything (mod went bad)

Hi guys,

I just did the always-on power outlet mod: Always-on 12V power outlet mod - 3rd gen | Page 3 | Tacoma World

I need help desperately after doing this mod. My truck won't start now. I don't think I did anything wrong, but now, nothing happens when I press the start/stop button... The center of the dashboard tells me that the door is open and there's interior lighting but nothing else. Everything seems normal expect the push button doesn't do anything. I've tested every fuse in the fuse box and under the hood, but they are all fine.

I've reversed the mod, hoping to fix the issue. Still nothing.

If someone with electrical knowledge could chime in to give me an idea of what to look for... Before I call a towing to the dealer and feel stupid explaining what happened...

Thanks!

 

Is the key within range?

 

Check all fuses in the box and then double check for errant soldier or loose wiring.

 

Yes, key is within range. I get no messages about the key missing either

 

Fuses all checked out fine, tested in place in a multimeter. Should I take them out to check them?

I'll check for loose wires inside the connectors, I haven't thought of that.

 

You took the fuse box under the dash out?

 

Correct! And soldered a small wire just like pictured in the mod thread. I since removed that wire, hoping to fix it.

 

Was battery disconnected during your mod work?

 

No I forgot about that..

 

Typical. Good chance you shorted some sensitive components as others have in the past.

 

Couple questions:

1. Does pushing the button without your foot on the brake do anything?
2. Can you show some pictures of where you soldered the wire? Up close (to see detail) and the entire board.
3. How did you solder? Did you add solder or use the existing solder on the board? If you added solder, there may be a chance you bridged some connections somehow.

 

Have you tried subsequet to the no-start, to unhook the negative of the battery, wait a few minutes, then re-connect?

 

1.Push start button doesn’t do anything. Foot on the brake or not.
2.I only have a pic of after I removed the wire. Sorry, the quality is bad.
3.yes I added some solder. Did touch any other pins. There’s only some solder that went into one of the golden hole just up from the #14 pin. Would that matter?

 

Is the steering wheel locked, try moving it when you push the button

 

Do you get the message telling you to "step on the brake and push to start"?
And does that message go away when you step on the brake?

 

Try your other key fob, or try touching fob to the button to start. I had a similar issue due to my key fob battery being on its last leg, or maybe a minor issue with the fob. I have had my auto unlock feature not respond and the truck act like its dead due to the key fob. Now I know to just smack the fob against my hand when that happens, and it works. I haven't swapped batteries or fobs yet because this just occurred somewhat recently. Definitely the fob in my case though.

 

Hard to say if the solder placed in another hole is at root cause. Are some holes bridged? You can get a solder suction device like this:

$7 Envistia Desoldering Tool - Aluminum Handle, Ceramic Heating, Blue, Corded Electric, Utility Style, Electronics Repair

https://www.amazon.com/Desoldering-...431566&sprefix=solder+suction,aps,297&sr=8-10

And see if heating up the solder and sucking it out makes a difference.

What kind of soldering iron did you use and how long did you have heat applied to the solder pads?

I've never heard of anyone making a circuit board repair or modification with power applied to the board... Good luck.

 

Yikes!! Hope you figure this out OP. This is why I never do any electrical mods to my truck. Too risky and electrical problems are the hardest to figure out.

My 2 cents is that you didn’t disconnect the battery while doing this, may have shorted something important.

 

Yes steering wheel is locked. Nothing happens when I try to move it while pushing the push button