'86 4Runner Problem With "On Time" Devise or Starter?
1986NY4runner
03-09-2004, 06:49 PM
Hello, this is my first post.
I own a 1986 4runner. Last night I had to get towed home when I was 75 miles from my house, here's why.
I'm less then $200 away from owning this 4runner from one of those "Buy Here Pay Here" car lots. They put one of those "On Time" devices connected to my starter. Each week when I send then my payment they give me a code, I plug in the small code box and my light on the gadget turns from red to green to give me another week. Well, I left my lights on while at work for 8 1/2 hours. I tried jumping it with my charge pack and had no luck. I called AAA and they couldn't jump it either. He checked the fuses too, but no luck. here's what I do have as for power right now. My headlights work on low or high, I can eject a cd from the player, and the "Charge" light is the only light that comes on the instrument cluster. I have no other lights on the cd/radio and nothing starts, not even with a good battery out of my wife's car. Is it possible that in the dark last night, I accidentally put neg to positive and fied either my starter or this on time gadget? Is anyone familiar with this such item? Well, the sad par of the story is that this was my first day on a new job and my boss let me go today. Now I need my 4runner fixed and a new job to fend for my wife and three kids.
Any help would be great.
Thanks
Mike
I own a 1986 4runner. Last night I had to get towed home when I was 75 miles from my house, here's why.
I'm less then $200 away from owning this 4runner from one of those "Buy Here Pay Here" car lots. They put one of those "On Time" devices connected to my starter. Each week when I send then my payment they give me a code, I plug in the small code box and my light on the gadget turns from red to green to give me another week. Well, I left my lights on while at work for 8 1/2 hours. I tried jumping it with my charge pack and had no luck. I called AAA and they couldn't jump it either. He checked the fuses too, but no luck. here's what I do have as for power right now. My headlights work on low or high, I can eject a cd from the player, and the "Charge" light is the only light that comes on the instrument cluster. I have no other lights on the cd/radio and nothing starts, not even with a good battery out of my wife's car. Is it possible that in the dark last night, I accidentally put neg to positive and fied either my starter or this on time gadget? Is anyone familiar with this such item? Well, the sad par of the story is that this was my first day on a new job and my boss let me go today. Now I need my 4runner fixed and a new job to fend for my wife and three kids.
Any help would be great.
Thanks
Mike
Brian R.
03-09-2004, 10:12 PM
Check your fuses
1986NY4runner
03-09-2004, 10:48 PM
Checked the fuses last night with the AAA mechanic and again this morning in the daylight. All are well.
Brian R.
03-10-2004, 11:38 AM
It is difficult to connect a battery backward. The cables are usually so stiff and only long as they need to be. Have the dealer who sold you the truck to come and replace that device or pay it off and get them to remove it. Until you know its status, it is difficult to troubleshoot. I have not seen this behavior previously without having either blown a fuse or fried a wire(s). Look under the dash for blackend wires or connections.
1986NY4runner
03-10-2004, 12:08 PM
I meant when I connected the chrger power pack, that positive and negative terminal I believ I put on the opposite of each pole on the battery.
My neighbor, a decent mechanic may take the truck to trouble shoot with today.
I live in upstate, NY and the place I bought it from is in Newton, NJ, which is a good 1 1/2 away, so no one from the dealer will be coming anytime soon.
My neighbor, a decent mechanic may take the truck to trouble shoot with today.
I live in upstate, NY and the place I bought it from is in Newton, NJ, which is a good 1 1/2 away, so no one from the dealer will be coming anytime soon.
1986NY4runner
03-10-2004, 06:15 PM
It looks like the culprit may be the fusible link, #80, which is under the hood. It's broken in the middle of the thread. I'll take it out tomorrow and replace it. The 'On Time' device has been plugged, it's cut off. So this looks like a good lead. Will update tomorrow.
1986NY4runner
03-12-2004, 07:50 AM
Good news! It was the fusible link 80, under the hood. A pain in the butt to switch out, but atleast the 4runner is running again.
Thanks for all suggestions everyone!
Thanks for all suggestions everyone!
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