wwilme

I recently noticed that the ECT switch has stopped working or at least the little indicator light on the dash is out. My '97 4runner has 230k on it and is in need of a tuneup so its hard to tell from driving it which mode its in. I pulled the switch out and saw that there are 4 terminals on the back, so no telling which leads you would cross in order to test it. Is the ECT indicator on the dash supposed to light up with the oil, amp and other indicators when you turn the key to acc? Would that be a way of at least knowing if it is just the indicator that is out? Any one else have this problem or know how to tell for sure? If it's not the switch, what else commonly goes wrong with the ECT?

Jeffires

The light may have burnt out. Turn it on, drive, and see if it takes longer to shift than normal. You should be able to tell the difference.

wwilme

Problem is that the light ceased to work probably a year ago. I wouldn't know the difference in how it felt then. I can't tell the difference now when the switch is either in or out, but the 4runner is a little sluggish no matter what. Time for a tune up (never been done on this vehicle) and while I'm "under the hood," I wanted to hit all the probelms at once including getting the ECT working the way it is supposed to.

toy_tek

That ECT switch may have 4 terminals, but it only shows two wires going to it on the Wiring Diagram. The Blk/Org wire is power in to the switch, which should be 12v hot with IGN On or during Start. When the switch is ON, you should have power at the Grn/Red wire, which goes to both the ECT lamp on the instrument cluster, and to the ECM. The diagram shows the Grn/Red wire running to a junction terminal (J/C6) in the center of the dash, with two additional Grn/Red wires running out of it, and that terminal also has three Blu/Org wires in it as well for a total of six wires. The Blu/Org wires are for the O/D selector circuit.

On the Instrument panel "combination meter" plug, the ECT bulb power in is pin A5. Ground out is B11.

wwilme

Cool, I'll try jumping the switch by crossing the Blk/Org and the Gr/Rd - that should tell me if the switch is dead or not. If the dash indicator lights, then it's the switch, if not then keep try the bulb, if not keep going!

xcmountain80

Damn mine has like 8 wires. What to do?

Aaron

toy_tek

Geez I forgot I did that post over a year ago. Aaron, where are you talking about 8 wires? At the switch?

*Linky to other thread*

xcmountain80

Yes at the switch there are 8, after suffering no beer in the fridge thinking I know the 8 are for the defrost, rear window, and I think thats it. There isn't a plug for every accessory on the dash in that are which leads me to believe more than one are tied into the connector. I fully admit I am to blame for the damn thing not working but just want to know where I went wrong.

Aaron

Ron Helmuth

111db that is good info regarding the connections of the ECT switch.

xcmtn80 I agree it is a combo switch for the rear window and other functions -the ECT switch has 10 pins for my 99 woodgrain radio bezel- perhaps you all are earlier year Runners

I am getting ready to install Limited Woodgrain bezel into my SR5 5 speed. I was hoping to use the ECT switch for my antenna up and down-kind of a custom touch. Finding a good schematic of the switch pin connectors has so far eluded me.

I found you guys through search. Thanks for blazing the trail ahead of me

Ranger Megan

I hate to ask this for fear of sounding like an idiot, but for the five years I've had my 1998 4Runner, I've never used the ECT...Does it really do anything? Under what circumstances should one use it?

Yes, I'm rather blonde this evening...

raydouble

For changing the speed at which the transmission shifts up and down gears.
For using more fuel
For getting fast and furious