AznSky

Ok I tried replacing my bulbs in my headlight, and after putting one side in I wanted to see the difference. Well I try to start my car, and it doesn't start now!!! I unhooked the negative battery terminal before I started everything.

Now when I put the key in, I can go to the electrical part, headlights work fine, radio works fine, dome light works fine. So I don't think it's a battery problem. But when I turn the key to start it, I get a click, then a buzzing sound (really fast clicking sound) from the fuse box up front behind the battery. I'm thinkin I blew a fuse somehow, but I don't know how to check, and my truck doesn't start so I can't drive it to anywhere. When I left I tried using the alarm, nope doesn't work. Then I tried the auto lock button inside, nope, I get some where clicking sound again.

So.......what do I do????

keisur

check the cartridge fuses under the hood. do all the gauge lights and stereo and everything work just the starter doesn't crank? Check this fuse: JCASE 30A fuse marked AM2

the fast clicking you here is a relay.

midiwall

Wow... okay, so I guess you don't need me to help you through things on your other thread.

I have no idea what could have happened... You know you have power, since electrical things work. You know that you didn't short out the hedlamp wiring harness since the lamps work.

The Superwhites will draw more current than the stock bulbs, but that shouldn't be an issue unless you're trying to start the truck with the lamps on.

Keisur has the only idea I can think of. But, if you find that the fuse is blown, then remember that _something_ happened to cause it to blow. A blown fuse is just a reaction to something gone wrong and a cause of a symptom, not the cause of a problem.

Mark

keisur

The reason mine blew was that I was too proud to disconnect the battery while hooking up my lightforce offroad lights. when I tapped into the power it popped the fuse.

AznSky

ok well I just finished cleaning the battery terminals and clamps with a mixture of baking soda and water.

Now the auto lock on the doors work. But when I turn the key there's a LOUD sound coming from the middle of the engine bay, sounds inside lower somewhere. this time a loud constant fast clicking sound. just like a wood pecker.......sorta. but the little clicking sound is still coming from side fuse box as well.

Another thing was weird was when I walked out to the car after posting the thread, my alarm was going off like crazy.

Lastly, the "new" bulbs I tried putting in where just ordinary bulbs I believe. I think he just put his old oem bulbs in the piaa case and taped it up. Wow I feel stupid......all this and I still don't have new mods.

AznSky

I should say I disconnected the red terminal, which I thought was negative, but there are ppl telling me it's positive. But I don't think that would affect anything

edit: All the terminals are in the correct places. I just thought red was negative in my head. I did everything accordingly, I put both clamps on the correct sides. Red on left, Black on right.

AznSky

ok problem found I think, we tried jumping it and it started.

So...it's the battery.

keisur

They battery should also have a "+" and "-" in raised symbols by the posts. you want to make sure you disconnect the black next time.

When you were turning the key, were the lights dimming ? that's usually an indication of the battery giving up the ghost. and the starter not turning over?

also, is your 4runner a manual tranny or auto? if it's a manual like mine, you can just put it in neutral, push it from the drivers door (yes, stand outside and push like the Flintstones) and then once you get moving pretty good, jump back in and stand on the clutch, throw it in 2nd or 3rd and pop the clutch. that will turn the engine over and should start it.

Also, are you sure your alternator is in good shape? if your battery is relatively new the alternator might be on it's way out and not charging the battery.

AznSky

the lights looked fine to me, however the dash looked like it was dimming, and by the time I got out the second after jumping the battery, I could see the dim light slowly dying. I'm just glad it's the battery and not the starter or alternator or anything like that.

keisur

how old is the battry?

AznSky

not that old at all, had it replaced probably a year ago.

I think it's cuz of my subs, they're really ghetto wired where I have the subs and the amp goin straight to the stereo.

But what I'm confused about is how it just suddenly died. It was totally fine just 10 minutes before.

jimrockford

I had the same problem with my 4Runner a couple of years ago. I think the battery had partially shorted out. It seemed to work fine with a small load (interior lights, radio, etc), but as soon as I tried to start it, everything dimmed and I heard the same clicking. I had the battery replaced under warranty (it was about a year and a half old) and haven't had a problem since.

AznSky

yea I think mine's under warranty too, so I'm gonna check it out tommorrow

keisur

that's what I was thinking too.

You should think about dumping the week stock-like batteries and drop in an Optima Red Top. It'll last about 3 times longer and it's all around a better battery.

Were you playing the stereo with the car off while doing the work under the hood? I sometimes do that but my Optima Blue Top always cranks my runner right up.

AznSky

Nope, no playing with the stereo or anything.

Yea I really want to get an Optima, but if my stock battery is warranteed then I'm gonna save the $$ right now and stick with the warranty.

Thanks for your help Keisur!

INsr5runner

didn't they discontinue the blue tops? I thought those were marine ones.

BTW, glad you got your rig running again rob

keisur

discontinued is news to me.

Blue Tops are just more abuseable Yellow Tops. basically they are the same but the Blue Tops have more resistance to vibrations, which is good for our wheeling 4runners.

INsr5runner

Keisur, how much do those run approximately?

keisur

got mine for 150 at Costco.