I was driving down a bumpy road and my dimmer lights started flickering. I hit a bump and they went out completely. My tail lights, brake lights, running lights and dimmer lights went out. My head lights still work though along with my instrument panel lights when I go to start the truck (Charge, brake light etc on the dash). I don't understand what could be wrong. I used a voltmeter on the fuse box and neither side was getting power with the running light switch on or off. Anyone have any ideas? I'm not to good with electrical.

 

when all else fails check a ground

 

I've checked them all, still nothing. So confused, just about ready to give up on it and re-wire everything.

 

fuse box, try jiggly the wires coming out of the fuse block.

 

check alllll the plugs up by the battery, i have like 5 wire sets ( plugs ) that connect to the positive wire on the battery and i had alll my lights but my head lights go out and my truck wouldnt start till i fixed the wire going into the plug ( THE WIRE CAME APART ) so chekc htat out and in not go from there

 

I've tried this. If I'm not getting a volt reading on the fusebox even when playing with the running light switch, does that mean its before the actual switch and the fusebox?

 

yes means your shorting or its grounding before the box, check near the batter or even start at the battery and chase all the wires down its a long process but it might be worth it. theres not a whole lot to it with these 1st gen toyotas

 

before the fuse block

 

on the positive battery cable @ the battery , you have 2 fuse links , wires with green connectors .. give them a "tug" if they break there burnt . these are the main power supply fuses



.

 

If you have a bad ground you will not have a complete circuit!!!

If you have a short you will have a open fuse if not a fuse a burnt wire that is cooked

If you are going to keep this vehicle I would say chase down the Toyota Electrical manual

Good luck

 

i'm probably just gonna rewire my '80 LMAO..i really dont wanna go through the trouble of chasing the poblem down

 

Just re did every ground we could see and cleaned every little connector. One of those things made it work. Also replaced every fuse just for the hell of it.