HELP in Corpus Christi ! wife is driving and there is BIG problem

[doctorJ]

I just got a call from my daughter that as she and my wife were driving into Corpus all the gauges went out at once in the crusier. It is a 97 FZJ80, 115K and I really thought I got it al spiffed up yesterday for them to take this trip to the beach. They had been on the hghway for 5 hours when this happened. She says the instrumennt cluster functions all 'went to zero', the radio works, the windows do not, the door locks work, the AC is not blowing cold air - and changing the fan level doesn't actulally change the fan level.? She has about 5 minutes till she gets where they are going and the is going to turn it off, wait 20 - 30 minutes, and then call me. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated - of course I am 300 miles away so she may have to go to a Sunday mechanic (Firestone?, Autozone?) YIKES.
thanks
Jay

 

[94landcruiser]

Fuses?

 

[Elijah]

yeah, first check fuses. Also fuses under the hood.

 

[doctorJ]

well, no change after being turned off 45 minutes. No apptitude for checking all the fuses either. I found this link - https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=90184&highlight=cluster - a bit disturbing as it describes her situation perfectly. Especially the part where it is 100 degrees and the AC and the windows don't work. I guess now I need some recommendations for a crusier mechanic she can take it to tomorrow moring 6/26 in Corpus Christi to have the AC checked and I hate to tell her take it to the STEALer, but we may need an AC clutch at least. thanks again. jay

 

[landtank]

well, no change after being turned off 45 minutes. No apptitude for checking all the fuses either. I found this link - https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=90184&highlight=cluster - a bit disturbing as it describes her situation perfectly. Especially the part where it is 100 degrees and the AC and the windows don't work. I guess now I need some recommendations for a crusier mechanic she can take it to tomorrow moring 6/26 in Corpus Christi to have the AC checked and I hate to tell her take it to the STEALer, but we may need an AC clutch at least. thanks again. jay

Not a life or death situation. Tell her to double up on the deoderant and drive it home. Deal with it then.

 

[dlhavens]

A buddy of mine is having the same problem with his '97 Cruiser and we trackted it to the AC Compressor. Apparently it is shorting the fuse anytime he tries to turn on the AC (the defrost too since the compressor comes on when it's operated). He drove his for a day or two in the Texas heat (windows stuck shut) before we figured it out. If that's your problem then turn off the AC and insert a new fuse and everything else should work. It's one of the fuses under the dash. Good Luck.

 

[Clutchee]

Yes-check the fuses in the panel in front of her left knee.

Should find the one for gauges blown.

Happened to my wifes truck when the AC clutch locked up.

Good luck....tell her its her fault....you know she would do it to you!

 

[Grench]

Hmm...

It sounds like the real problem is that the person in the vehicle doesn't have the skilset or confidence to troubleshoot. I can relate. I woudln't expect my wife to know the function of a fuse, let alone be able to change one. Thinking about it I may have to change that.

Anyway, back to your issues... I agree that its likely a blown fuse and a blown whatever is blowing the fuse. It is Sunday though and she's traveling.

Truck stops (the big mega plazas) often have 24 hour mechanics on duty. They grumble a lot when a 4 wheeler comes in and begs for help, but have the equipment and parts to cover most minor issues. Fuses, tire plugs, heater hoses (don't expect custom bent ones) , belts and all the common types of fluids. Expect to pay $100 to change that fuse if she goes this route though.

It would likely get her back on the road home though. Heck, if it gets her within 2 hours, you're doing better.

Another option is to have her drive at night so she avoids the hot part of the day.

 

[alaskacruiser]

A good solution to this problem (esp. for those who have driving around) is to install lighted fuses (a small LED lights when a fuse is blown, so it takes no work to identify a blown fuse), something like this.

Also, I don't have the fuse IDs handy, but with this information it should not be difficult for you to instruct even the most mechanically inexperienced person to replace the right fuse. Pull the old one out, put the new one in. Just have her goto to an auto parts place, get the right fuse, then tell her which one to replace.

 

[Capocaccia]

The brand I use is called Glow Fuse. They light up when blown.

 

[doctorJ]

thanks for all the suggestion, I am sure I could talk her through the changing of a fuse, especially since it is labeled. But with the Temp and Humidity on the Texas coast - I still need a recommendation on a Toyota mechanic in Corpus. They are going to be there a week and that is no fun without AC (especially when your windows are up).
Jay

 

[Romer]

So what is the status?

 

[Panzer]

The brand I use is called Glow Fuse. They light up when blown.

You're pulling my leg. really?

 

[alaskacruiser]

You're pulling my leg. really?

Panzer- as I posted, checkout this link:

http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/467478

for an example.

 

[Sangamo]

if she can get the fuse replaced and she doesn't cut the AC on, she should be able to roll the windows down. It is the activation of the AC system that blows the fuse. So, worst case replace the fuse and do without AC with windows rolled down. It is hard to remember not to press the AC button however and as soon as you press it, the fuse blows. Hope this helps.

 

[Seumas]

It was my truck that dlhavens was talkin about. You can replace teh fuse, but it's gonna blow just as soon as you hit the AC or full defrost button. Like Sangemo said, if you replace the fuse and don't hit either of those buttons, then everything else should work fine. This is currently where I am, and I'm in Texas also.

After talking with some of the guys from TTR, we're pretty sure it's the AC clutch (as I've already ordered this part, it better be it...). If she absolutely must have it fixed before her ride home, it's the clutch assembly (part #8841026110). You might be able to get away with just the stator (#8841126040), but I didn't cause it requires a SST that I can't purchase.

Reffug had the same problem, might give him a ring.

Cheaper solution: Become nocturnal and drive home at night.