Ran the cruiser today after getting the carb rebuilt. It shut off on me completely died while driving around the hood. Now I am unable to start it or jump it. No electrical power at all totally dead. What should I check first? I swapped in a known good battery still the same. I'm thinking altenator but have no way to test it? Does autozone test alts if I take to them? I'll change the fuses as well. I did some searching on here, anyone think it could be the voltage regulator? Thanks.
No start...unable to jump..help!
- Thread starter Megadiesel
- Start date
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it is not the alternator... that isnt a symptom of an alternator either.
the fact that it shut totally off says you lost power to the ignition, the fact that when a new bat is swapped in and it wont jump and has no power to anything points to a main fuse or fusible link (asuming when you say "No power" you mean no power and it wont even turn over).
first step is following power from battery and seeing where it ends. so if you dont have a volt meter get one or borrow one and learn how it works if you dont already. start at the fusible link that is down the positive battery cable it should have a plug on it where it can be disconnected, you can check power there. then if it has power work your way down the line to the next power conjunction and check that till you find where it no longer gets power. my bet is that is the source of the problem, next step is to figure out that connection lost power in the first place. in other words was there a short and something was going to ground, or was there an open somewhere somehow along the way.
It really is prolly something simple.
Trent
the fact that it shut totally off says you lost power to the ignition, the fact that when a new bat is swapped in and it wont jump and has no power to anything points to a main fuse or fusible link (asuming when you say "No power" you mean no power and it wont even turn over).
first step is following power from battery and seeing where it ends. so if you dont have a volt meter get one or borrow one and learn how it works if you dont already. start at the fusible link that is down the positive battery cable it should have a plug on it where it can be disconnected, you can check power there. then if it has power work your way down the line to the next power conjunction and check that till you find where it no longer gets power. my bet is that is the source of the problem, next step is to figure out that connection lost power in the first place. in other words was there a short and something was going to ground, or was there an open somewhere somehow along the way.
It really is prolly something simple.
Trent
cruiserbrett
GOLD Star
You would be best picking up a decent book on auto electrics, or I forsee you giving away $$$ to less than trustworthy mechanics.
alternator and voltage regulator are for the charging circuit. so if you hadnt swapped the battery in, then maybe an issue. but with a charged good battery, they are not the root cause.
a vehicle will start with spark, fuel, air and a good starter supplied with the correct signal(ignition switch) and adequate amperage from a battery...
when you say doesnt start, are we talking cranks over but doesnt catch, doesnt crank but clicks audibly, or no click at all?
alternator and voltage regulator are for the charging circuit. so if you hadnt swapped the battery in, then maybe an issue. but with a charged good battery, they are not the root cause.
a vehicle will start with spark, fuel, air and a good starter supplied with the correct signal(ignition switch) and adequate amperage from a battery...
when you say doesnt start, are we talking cranks over but doesnt catch, doesnt crank but clicks audibly, or no click at all?
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks for your response Cruiserbrett, I am not getting anything at all no click or turnover. I will start checking items with the voltmeter and see if I can find out what's going on. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
cruiserbrett
GOLD Star
if no click check a few things: fuse panel, fuseable link(should be right next to battery+), missing connections(white wire to + side of battery)... you say no other lights or anything work? I would figure out where the wiring harness gets it power from(should be in most years a fuseable link(or 2) at or near the positive battery post. work back towards switch from there...
how original is the wiring? for some reason Previous owners didnt like the way toyota wired it and choose to screw it up... a haynes manual is a good start and generally about $15 or so. wiring charts and colors are for the most part accurate.
how original is the wiring? for some reason Previous owners didnt like the way toyota wired it and choose to screw it up... a haynes manual is a good start and generally about $15 or so. wiring charts and colors are for the most part accurate.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
thats what i say also...check the fuseable link
Start with the battery cables and their connections to the battery, frame and starter. Then (depending on the year) check the main power feed to the chassis (large white wire at the battery with fusible link or a ring terminal at the starter motor. Then work up to the amp meter (depending on year), Ignition switch, fuse block.
I had the same problem last week. I checked everything and still no power. I ended up cleaning up the frame where the ground is attached. It then cranked right up (I still have no blinkers, taillights or wipers). It definitely sounds like a ground issue. You should start there. Good luck.
oh...;p
- Thread starter
- #10
Thanks for all the input guys you are awesome. Guess what I found, the freakin ground cable from the starter was not connected. I connected that and was able to get it jumped. I went for a ride because I was happy to get it running, this time it died even faster. I had to get it jumped and drove it back home. The fusable link was also disconnected I connected that back. My voltmeter wasn't working I gotta get another one. Im still at a loss as to why Im loosing electrical power. Once I get the voltmeter hopefully I will find out more. Thanks agian guys.
