Hey Guys,

I’m having a kind of weird electrical issue that surfaced after installing a 1”BL. I've tried searching but not finding much pertaining to what's going on. My truck will start fine once and then after driving a bit will die while idling when I roll up the windows. I’ll try to start it again and the voltage gauge will show it at like 5-6volts. I don’t believe it’s the battery as its less than a year old and never been worked hard or died until recently. I think I’m noticing a burnt plastic smell, but to be honest this things made all kind of smells throughout its life.

Additionally, when it died yesterday I opened the door to push it into my ladyfriend’s apartment complex and the lights turned back on, 14v on the voltmeter and started right up. When I pulled into the office today, it died rolling up the windows and dropped back to 4-5 volts; no starting. I’ve been meaning to do the Big 3 and military battery terminals; I guess this is as good a reason as any to pull the trigger.

Any insight would be huge, thanks.

 

possibly pinching a hot wire in the door somewhere causing it to ground out. that would explian why it happens when you roll your windows and open the door.

 

Sounds like an issue with the ground bond between the body and the frame.

 

Is that a wired ground or does it rely on the body mount bolts?

When we lifted it, we were super careful not to lend anything bind or stretch, obviously we missed something.

 

I stand slightly corrected- the body ground is from the battery to the fender-well.


Assuming you removed the battery while doing the lift, I'd suggest verifying those connections are clean and tight.

 

Concur.
Definitely check ground connections from battery, and other areas which may have been pulled/stressed during the lift process.

Does it happen only on one door? only on one window?
Where are you measuring voltage? At battery post? At battery connector? At Lighter socket? At fuses?
Where are you referencing ground (black/negative probe)? Battery neg post? Battery negative connector? Body ground on inside fender?

But are your connectors clean and tight?


We also need to clarify terminology.
I am not aware of "Frame Ground", only (exact locations may vary):

1. "Body" ground from battery to inner fender,
2. "Engine block" ground from battery to lower corner of engine block,
3. "Body-Engine Block", from top of firewall to rear corner of engine block.

On the first-gen at least, I have never seen a ground wire to the frame.

This is an example of the FRAME:
new4runner001.jpg?t=1262674919

The body is what O.P. lifted off the frame

 

Guys Im a big old dummy. I hit the terminals and posts with one of those $1 battery wire brush deals since they looked worse than Sarajevo and well, good as new. I appreciate the info you guys have provided and I am going to go over everything this weekend while I do the Big 3. Also, will post wire lengths here, since I haven't been able to find them anywhere and I know I would have loved to have them.

Thanks for clarifying the ground connections RAD4.

 

I have a Frame Ground on every one on my Toyota`s and my Ford F 250 as well

Goes from the battery thingy to a bolt used for the front tie down thingy