Today at the Summit Truckfest I drove my 4Runner theough the mud pit (it was more like a canal). I got stuck and got pulled out OK.

I have a few issues though, The warning lights for the battery, rear ABS and the BRAKE warning light won't shut off. Also, my tach neddle is going CRAZY jumping up and down all the time.

Not sure if these are just false indicators or a real prob.

Will this stuff dry out and work OK or do I have some real issues. Any help/advice at all would be great.

Thanks,
Lamm

 

Sounds like a case of mud stuck where it shouldn't be

Not sure where those places are though.

 

The warning lights for the battery, rear ABS and the BRAKE warning light won't shut off. ~~~~ that almost sounds like the car not detecting a battery, like running with an alternator only... meaning bad voltage regulator or diode

 

Lammy WTG for running the pit. It sucks to have to be pulled out. I was pulled out on my first try running my last comp. They made the imports run the pit before the domestics or limited's. They had to pull us out to. Which way did they pull you out? front or back? they pulled us out backwards and all that mud went into our skids and engine bays. Luckily being 7"s high on 35s it wasnt as bad as some factory rigs swallowed it. I agree it sounds like your alternator gulped way to much mud/water. Run it down to a parts shop and make sure its pumping out the 14+ volts. As for the brake sensors or abs I would pull them and clean them up. sucks huh. The mud pit after math can be hellish.

 

I got pulled out backwards, I almost made it too, 35"s and I would have had it.

As far as the Alternator, can that be cleaned or is that permanet damage?

I dont know where the "brake and ABS" sensors are, or how I would clean them...


Lamm

 

it may not be the sensors at all.... i drove my truck around one day with no battery at all... well the battery light, the brake light and the oil light stayed on at this time... while the truck was running

 

This sounds about right, brakes feel fine but I know the battery is loosing its charge.

What would be the test points to check? I have a multimeter and know how to use it.

Lamm

 

If your ABS lines are like mine, they are poorly routed and may have been damaged during the pull. I severed my left rear ABS sensor line on a rock and the light stayed on until I patched the wire up. Check the condition of the lines along the rear axle. These are the most likely to get torn, cut, or just plain ripped off. As for the brake light, is this the same light that stays on when the e-brake is engaged?

 

The brake light is the E-Brake indicator but the manual also states that it warns of a brake system failure.

I drove 60 miles home, so I don't think they are broken, but I sure would like to get my 4Runner back into the A-1 comdition it was in before i took the plunge.

Lamm

 

Update, the ABS light has gone off and the tach is back to normal, they must have just dried out.

The brake light is still on and the alternator is still not charging, when you disconect the battery with it running, the engine dies instantly.

I'n not really sure what my next step should be... new alternator?

Lamm

 

Check the fuses under the hood maybe the one from the alt popped. Also make sure the belt is not slipping on the alt pully. If still no luck just remove the alt and clean it up real good with some contact cleaner and pull the brushes. After you clean it hook up your volt meter and spin the alt by hand you should generate some juice if its working.

 

All issues resolved, to the tune of $170!

I had to get a new alternator. I got a nippin denso 80 AMP unit with a lifetime warrenty from Advanced Auto Parts.

I needed that cash, but it runs fine now.

Thanks for all your help.

Lamm