Stupid mistake = No Power

AZRedneck · 05-30-2007, 09:43 PM

Tonight I was trying to install a Optima Yellow top battery into my 4 runner. I removed the old battery and while talking on the phone to a friend I tried to install the new battery. I wasn't paying attention and installed the Optima backwards. I connected the + to the - terminal and vise versa. I saw a spark but thought nothing of it at the time. I went to check things out and I have no power whats so ever in the cab. The only fuse that I can see that is blown is the 100 amp alternator fuse. Is this the location of my power problem and how easy is this to replace? It is dark out and I don't have a garage so I am struggling to locate any other issues. But while trying to remove the fuse the two legs seperated from the fuse housing and stayed in the fuse box while the cover came out. What do I do now? I am new to electrical issues and am in need of help. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Do I need to look elsewhere for issues as well? Could I have fryed the new battery?

DeathCougar · 05-30-2007, 09:46 PM

that 100 amp fust is the main power to the whole truck. Replace that fuse, all should be good...and thank your lucky stars you didn't break anything else.

BTW That fuse does not pull out the top. It slides out the bottom, and is actually bolted to the wiring with 10mm and 8mm (wrench size) bolts. DONT try to pry it out the top, it will only damage your fuse block. You have the press a clip aside, then slide it out the bottom.

AZRedneck · 05-30-2007, 10:23 PM

Thanks for the info. Is it difficult to get to the underside of the fuse block? Do I need to worry about anything else when I go to remove the top of the fuse block? I have to fly out of town tomorrow for the weekend and will not return until sunday late night. Can I get this fuse at any auto parts store or do I need to get it from toyota? Could I have damaged the Optima battery? I also read that if the battery is disconnected for to long that there could be an issue with the air bag sensor or something to do with the air bags not functioning correctly. Could this be an issue I will have to deal with?

DeathCougar · 05-30-2007, 10:27 PM

lemme stop for a sec....what year is your 4runner? Im talking first gen heh. I have 4runner on the brain.

Either way, you DO have to press it down and out of the block regardless of the year it is, and its attached with bolts, no matter what year it is.

AZRedneck · 05-30-2007, 10:37 PM

Sorry i should have stated that. It is a 98 4runner.

Santerianumero1 · 05-31-2007, 09:25 PM

My brother made this same mistake with my dad's 95 Runner. I ended up replacing the fuse you are talking about.

Anyway, after replacing the fuse and getting the truck to start, the two map lights under the rear view don't come on, the radio doesn't come on, and the dome light doesn't come on. All of which blows cause I hate electrical. I hope this didn't happen to you after fixing the starting issue.

AZRedneck · 06-01-2007, 09:45 AM

Well I got the 100 amp fuse replaced yesterday before I had to fly out of town for a wedding. The dash lights came on but that seems to be it. I did not try to start the motor just because I have a lot of other stuff in pieces right now in the engine bay. However, my dome light doesn't work and my electric door locks weren't working. This was all I had time to check out before I had to go. My alarm did work but it wouldn't run the locks either. Could this be due to a fuse or a computer problem? I will hopefully have some more time the first of next week when I get back in town. Hopefully it is just fuses and not something else. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the replies.

AH64ID · 06-01-2007, 09:08 PM

I would guess you blew some other fueses... there is also a fuse block inside the truck, check there.

AZRedneck · 06-05-2007, 08:53 PM

Well I checked all the fuses and only found 1 that was blown. It works with the dome lights and continues to blow fuses. There has to be a short somewhere. I have no automatic door locks and my radio doesn't seem to work. I also get two clicks from the passenger side engine compartment when I turn the ignition to the farthest point before it turns over. I have never noticed this before. I am begining to think I need to take this to a mechanic but I am afraid of the charges. Electrical issues are never cheap from my experiences. Anyone have any ideas.

annoyingrob · 08-19-2008, 11:25 PM

I can't remember, but do these trucks run fusable links too? If so, check those.

Edit. Sorry, I didn't realize this thread was over a year old.

05-30-2007, 09:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
AZRedneck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 25	Stupid mistake = No Power Tonight I was trying to install a Optima Yellow top battery into my 4 runner. I removed the old battery and while talking on the phone to a friend I tried to install the new battery. I wasn't paying attention and installed the Optima backwards. I connected the + to the - terminal and vise versa. I saw a spark but thought nothing of it at the time. I went to check things out and I have no power whats so ever in the cab. The only fuse that I can see that is blown is the 100 amp alternator fuse. Is this the location of my power problem and how easy is this to replace? It is dark out and I don't have a garage so I am struggling to locate any other issues. But while trying to remove the fuse the two legs seperated from the fuse housing and stayed in the fuse box while the cover came out. What do I do now? I am new to electrical issues and am in need of help. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Do I need to look elsewhere for issues as well? Could I have fryed the new battery?

06-01-2007, 09:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
AH64ID Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,644	I would guess you blew some other fueses... there is also a fuse block inside the truck, check there. __________________ -John '05 Dodge 3500 SRW 4x4 SLT 5.9 Cummins QC LB NV5600 6 Spd, Pricol EGT and boost, 2" Level, Jake Brake, Muffler Delete, filtered, lubed and bypassed by Amsoil, Mag-Hytec Rear, Fast Coolers, Baldwin 7977, Smarty JR SW#1, Toyo 285's... 2003 SR5 4Runner, V6 4WD. 1" cornfed lift Previous Toyota's '92 Red Truck NALA Speed doesn't kill, its the sudden stop that hurts.

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05-30-2007, 10:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
AZRedneck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 25	Thanks for the info. Is it difficult to get to the underside of the fuse block? Do I need to worry about anything else when I go to remove the top of the fuse block? I have to fly out of town tomorrow for the weekend and will not return until sunday late night. Can I get this fuse at any auto parts store or do I need to get it from toyota? Could I have damaged the Optima battery? I also read that if the battery is disconnected for to long that there could be an issue with the air bag sensor or something to do with the air bags not functioning correctly. Could this be an issue I will have to deal with?

05-30-2007, 10:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
AZRedneck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 25	Sorry i should have stated that. It is a 98 4runner.

05-31-2007, 09:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Santerianumero1 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1	My brother made this same mistake with my dad's 95 Runner. I ended up replacing the fuse you are talking about. Anyway, after replacing the fuse and getting the truck to start, the two map lights under the rear view don't come on, the radio doesn't come on, and the dome light doesn't come on. All of which blows cause I hate electrical. I hope this didn't happen to you after fixing the starting issue.

06-01-2007, 09:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
AZRedneck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 25	Well I got the 100 amp fuse replaced yesterday before I had to fly out of town for a wedding. The dash lights came on but that seems to be it. I did not try to start the motor just because I have a lot of other stuff in pieces right now in the engine bay. However, my dome light doesn't work and my electric door locks weren't working. This was all I had time to check out before I had to go. My alarm did work but it wouldn't run the locks either. Could this be due to a fuse or a computer problem? I will hopefully have some more time the first of next week when I get back in town. Hopefully it is just fuses and not something else. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the replies.

06-05-2007, 08:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
AZRedneck Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 25	Well I checked all the fuses and only found 1 that was blown. It works with the dome lights and continues to blow fuses. There has to be a short somewhere. I have no automatic door locks and my radio doesn't seem to work. I also get two clicks from the passenger side engine compartment when I turn the ignition to the farthest point before it turns over. I have never noticed this before. I am begining to think I need to take this to a mechanic but I am afraid of the charges. Electrical issues are never cheap from my experiences. Anyone have any ideas.

08-19-2008, 11:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
annoyingrob Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 201	I can't remember, but do these trucks run fusable links too? If so, check those. Edit. Sorry, I didn't realize this thread was over a year old.