StartGroup

Hello. Well I could use some help. I just moved to Maui.

I have a 2001 Toyota 4runner.

I pulled over at park to drink my coffee at the beach. When I went back to start my car, everything inside started freaking out. Noise from speakers, clicking noise (not from starter, but from relays), even the cd ejected.

Background. I have an alarm installed past 10 years, but I don't use it. And the check engine light went on as of last night.

I could hear clicking without key in. Popped hood and the head relay was freaking out. I unplugged battery and plugged in same thing.

Someone suggested jumping. It started rigjt up. I did and it started and all was good. Pulled out and it stalled.

Now I'm sitting on side of road.

When I put key in, all power including clock goes off, except for a BUzZing sound. I popped hood and it's coming from the ABS fuse box.

Any ideas? An unnessary repair especially when I don't know the shops here would suck. I don't have a job here yet.

Thank you.

xxxtreme22r

Sounds like you got a dead battery and/or bad alternator. Also, I don't know if the newer models have a charge fuse in the fuse box under the hood, but you might want to make sure that s good too if there is one. While it was running after you jumped it, did you notice if the alt/charge light was on?

ksti

Im wondering if that clicking is result of alarm. If you dont use it I'm assuming its in valet mode with a solid red light on left side of dash. Is the light flashing?. If so turn on key and either press button or flip switch under left side of dash. That might do it

yotaman85

Check wireing to your starter, battery and alternator. Inspect closely to make sure all wires are solidly connected and clean.

BoostedRNR

Sounds like a bad connection to me. Check all major connections for loose fittings or corrosion.

ksti

I wonder if he's still stuck on the road?

yotaman85

i would assume he is doing one of two things right now.

1. franticly checking all wiring like suggested

2. crying in his cab trying to call someone to help haha JK...




i usually resort to option 2.

Chickenman

he's not on here right now, so something has happened

ksti

lol Its been awhile, maybe went surfing

StartGroup

Thanks everyone for the help. I understand wiring to a certain extent. But this just baffled me. A few people pulled over for me and helped me. One was an electrician.

What was strange is the car freaked out with the key out of the car. Never happened before. It was the head lamp relay clicking. So I pulled that out. Then when I tried to start the ABS relays (3) were freaking out. So I would pull each one individually. Long story short, we pulled about every fuse out to limit the load. Added water to the battery (I would never had thought of that), and drove to napa auto with the gas held down to keep it running. I even lost power brakes and the car had an ear piercing alarm inside I didn't know about.

They said my battery was bad. Replaced battery and all is working.

I am a big beleiver that you have to find the cause of the problem. What could have drained my battery so much in 10 minutes. Plus what could have made it freak out while parked and no key in ignition? I mean even speakers we're hissing.

StartGroup

Thank you for everyone's comments.

justin_4runner

when i battery goes sometimes there is no reason, when some of the systems on cars dont have 12 volts the relays will freak out like that, i dont think u had anything draining the battery it just went out and when u put the key in it drained it all the way and causing them to flip out. good to see that u got it figured out.