I have a 2003 tacoma, 2.7, manual trans. First symptom was that my tach and speedo stopped working and the diff lock light came on (I don't have a locker in this truck). Found a blown fuse, replaced it and things were fine. Next day, gauges failed again, diff light came on, and then the entire truck died. After a few minutes, it would start again, but would only run for a short while and then dies.

Other key piece of information is that after it dies, the hazards would work, and then they would slow down until they died. Once again, I turn the key off, wait, and then the whole thing starts again...blinkers work, and then slow down and die.

I've been searching grounds, and looking for shorts but nothing so far. Any advice on where to look next or what to do would be welcome. I've been searching the forums and haven't been able to find any similar problems.

Thank you!!

 

Time to break out the Meter and get some voltage readings

Start at the battery Terminals they should be clean and tight .

Sounds like a poor connection some place .

By searching grounds I hope you mean removing things and cleaning things to bright clean metal again

Just what fuse was open ?? That might point you in a direction to look.

What caused the fuse to open?? Is that fuse loose in the socket ??

 

Having problems posting a reply so apologies if this gets posted twice.

Battery terminals are tight and clean.

I am looking at the ground wires for exposed metal, removing the bolts, cleaning and then re-attaching.

The open fuse is the one for the instrument panel. I have run a few tests and what's odd is that the ACC fuse terminal has a resistance reading about 6 times higher than any others. I'm not sure what that means, but found it a bit anomalous. I have removed the instrument panel as well and am checking all of those connections for proper resistance/signs of damage.