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Truck completely died after a (ill-advised) jump, where to start?

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Old May 7, 2010 | 05:57 PM
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Zelephant's Avatar
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From: New Britain, CT
Installed battery backwards, how badly did I mess up my rig?

I just replaced the radiator in my 22RE 4Runner flushed it, and refilled it. It then had to sit for 2 weeks before I was able to get a battery to test it. What happened next has me stumped.

I put the battery in the truck and the key in the ingition. Everything came on. It tried to start it, but although the starter was turning, the engine wouldn't catch. It was too dark to check for spark or fuel, so I thought I'd try jumping it just to see what would happen. Then it got weird. I hooked another car up, started it, and then tried to start mine. The starter turned once and stopped. I repeated and got the same result. I disconnected the jumper cables and tried it again without them. The starter didn't turn and an instant later the truck completely died. All lights out and the annoying alarm not ringing. Battery is still good (tested in another car). I checked the big 80a fuse, but it was fine. I don't know where to start to look for the problem.

Also, a few days ago, I tried to put a loaner battery in the truck and accidentally installed it backwards. This blew the 80a fuse, and I (obviously) replaced it before this experiment. Could installing the battery backwards have caused other damage?

Thanks in advance!

Last edited by Zelephant; May 10, 2010 at 06:46 PM.
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Old May 7, 2010 | 07:16 PM
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From: hendersonville, TN.
starter relay..
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Old May 8, 2010 | 04:31 AM
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From: New Britain, CT
Shoulda mentioned: my truck's an auto, there is no starter relay (at least not where the FSM says it should be on a manual).
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Old May 10, 2010 | 05:00 PM
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From: New Britain, CT
Installed battery backwards, how badly did I mess up my rig?

I posted a version of this problem in the newb section, but didn't get any real help. I was borrowing a battery out of another vehicle and I realized an instant too late that the battery terminals did not match my truck, and I consequently ended up installing the battery backward. The main 80a fuse was blown-I replaced it-but now the truck only cranks, and won't start. After a few minutes of searching, it seems I could have really done something bad to my truck . It seems I could have damaged the ECU, the alt, the ignition switch, the ignintion coil, or maybe all of them, and maybe something else. My question is, how many of these were protected by the main fuse when it blew, and where should I start setting my mistake right?
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Old May 10, 2010 | 05:05 PM
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From: Lake City, Fl
have you checked the 15 amp EFI fuse?

I recall a certain someone "cough, cough" who just recently did this
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Old May 10, 2010 | 05:08 PM
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how long u leave it on for
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Old May 10, 2010 | 06:42 PM
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From: New Britain, CT
Originally Posted by iamsuperbleeder
have you checked the 15 amp EFI fuse?

I recall a certain someone "cough, cough" who just recently did this
Is the EFI fuse in the engine bay or the driver's kickpanel? Or is it somewhere else?

Edit: just noticed the previous thread was merged into this one. Latest thread starts ar post #4.

Last edited by Zelephant; May 10, 2010 at 06:49 PM.
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Old May 10, 2010 | 06:49 PM
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From: Lake City, Fl
Originally Posted by Zelephant
Is the EFI fuse in the engine bay or the driver's kickpanel? Or is it somewhere else?
should be in the same box the charge fuse is in, under the hood

I think pre 88-89, it was inside the cab, behind the driver's side kick-panel
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Old May 10, 2010 | 06:50 PM
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before you installed the battery backward, I was going to suggest you check your fusible links. sometimes they get corroded. I had similar symptoms as you and replaced my starter only to find out I had a crummy fusible link.

since you installed your bat backwards, I'm not exactly sure what you should do.
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Old May 11, 2010 | 06:02 AM
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From: New Britain, CT
Originally Posted by iamsuperbleeder
should be in the same box the charge fuse is in, under the hood

I think pre 88-89, it was inside the cab, behind the driver's side kick-panel
Just checked all the fuses, found one 15a blown in the driver's kickpanel. They aren't labelled, so I don't know if this is the EFI fuse. BTW, what do you mean by charge fuse?

I'd really like to know that my alt's OK. Can anyone say definitely whether the 80a fuse protected the alt or not?
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Old May 11, 2010 | 06:09 AM
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From: hendersonville, TN.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...use+box+supply

check this wire.. sometimes it melts and breaks...
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Old May 11, 2010 | 09:12 AM
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From: Lake City, Fl
Originally Posted by Zelephant
Just checked all the fuses, found one 15a blown in the driver's kickpanel. They aren't labelled, so I don't know if this is the EFI fuse. BTW, what do you mean by charge fuse?

I'd really like to know that my alt's OK. Can anyone say definitely whether the 80a fuse protected the alt or not?
charge fuse = alt fuse

lol

if it blew, then it did it's job (well, kinda; protecting the alt from backwards hooked up cables is not it's MAIN job ), but you're alt SHOULD be fine

replace the blown 80amp alt/charge fuse, and replace the blown 15amp fuse you found, and see where that gets you
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Old May 11, 2010 | 11:02 AM
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From: Calgary, AB
Sounds like you blew two or three fuses.
Check the fuse box under the hood, it sounds like your AM1 and AM2 fuses went. They are the larger square H-fuses with the clear window.
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