Electrical issues

2013 with 149k miles
Screen and dash lights will flash but not stay on. Checked by local mechanic who secured battery and cable. Last night dash flashed, screen went off and it died while sitting at a stop light. Restarted and drove fine short distance. Anyone experienced anything like this?

 

Sounds like a loose connection somewhere although it could be an old battery too. How old is your battery? It is possible for a battery to test fine but still have internal shorting issues when under load. If I were you - I’d start by cleaning up all ground connections on the alternator and battery going to the chassis. Remove, wire brush and tighten down). Inspect the dash connector for tightness - see if wiggling it reproduces the symptoms. And then - battery if it is older.

 

I'd have never thought it was the battery itself, either it's on or it's not...but that's not always true. I agree with the two people above, as many years ago I had a trailer brake controller that would flicker, and I didn't know until I swapped the battery that it was a new battery that fixed it.

I'm not saying that's your answer, I'm just saying some things like a specific voltage minimum to run, some want less. The controller wanted more than the battery had left, but the car operated at less just fine. Odd issue, odd resolution, but it's possible.

 

Battery cables have been cleaned, checked and tightened. Also a new bracket to hold the battery down and snug. Dealership finds no obvious issues so doing more detailed diagnostics. Thank you for the suggestions. Felt it was time to get the pros involved.

 

Welcome to the forum from Canada, Meach. I concur with the others that it has to be something simple, like a battery, because electrical issues are so rare on Toyotas. Now if this was a Land Rover, you'd be advised to check your bank account and start tearing apart the dash, lol.

 

yup...land rovers.....UK money pits.....I've watched several of my friends deal with misc issues with their vehicle

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Diagnostics show nothing. Chased all thru wiring harness and found nothing. Only thing they can give me is a possible phone connection issue.
They did two updates to radio, reset all personal data and deleted Iphone from being paired. Reconnected it before leaving dealership, drove 70 miles and coming into stop light it all blacked out again and disconnected my active phone call. I’ve done as instructed and disconnected/deleted phone again and will see if problem persists.
I’m at a loss so I guess I’ll just drive it till something more happens. Very frustrating.

 

I’m wondering if perhaps it is being caused by your phone or one of its connectors? Just a thought I had after reading this.

 

I’ve disconnected the phone and deleted all info associated with any phone and in three short blocks of driving yesterday the dash lights and radio blacked out three times. If I ever figure it out I’ll post, otherwise I’m at a loss. Thanks for the input.

 

I don't want to get off topic, but as a previous Land Rover owner, Lucas electrics were horrid, and that comment about draining your bank account is right on the mark! Also, welcome from New Mexico, The land of the snowy desert!

 

ah yes, Lucas...the prince of darkness....heh heh heh....owned MG's for eons, and had to deal with misc problems that Lucas provided....MG stands for not ' morris garage ' but MONEY GONE ! (LOL)

 

To be clear, is it just your dash lights and radio that flicker and turn off while you are driving? Or does your 4Runner also die when this happens and it requires you to restart the engine?

 

Well hold on to your hats gentlemen, there’s a new development in this saga! Originally it was just radio, then radio and dash then lights and engine died. After taking to dealership and them finding nothing, it happened three times yesterday with dash and radio. THEN...When I went out to start it this morning, the door unlocked(as usual) i braked and pushed start button and heard a click then NOTHING. Absolutely NO POWER, no lights, no engine, couldn’t unlock doors from fob or from door buttons. Totally without power. After about 30 mins of being gone, I came back to see if we could jump start it and opened the door to all the dash lights being on and the radio playing. I’m beginning to question my sanity.

 

call a Toyota high priest! exorcism ........

 

Is this a 2013 Limited?
Keyless start?
Remote start?
Are you the original owner?
If not, how long have you had it before you noticed these problems?
Did you buy if from a private party or a dealer?
Have any modifications been done to it?
Any electrical mods or add-ons?
Is it the original battery, a Panasonic?

 

2013 limited
Original keyless start
Original owner
No modifications
No electrical mods or add ons. All original factory equipment. Never had a day of trouble before this issue.
Battery has been replaced.

 

Being Keyless start, this sounds like either a failing Smart Key ECU, or more likely the Power Management ECU. The PM-ECU is the electrical equivalent of the physical ignition switch on keyed ignition 4Rs. A failing PM-ECU would cause some of the symptoms you are describing i.e. loss of power for ignition and accessory modes. This would also cause the engine to cut out with the ECM loosing power on one of its two ignition inputs. Something to check is to see if you have a loose connection going to the PM-ECU. You don't need to tear the dash apart to check the connections. Empty your glove box, and on the side nearest the radio you will see a panel that can be opened. This is used to read the IMEI number from the telematics on safety connect equipped vehicles, but you should be able to see the PM-ECU. It will be the black plastic ECU closest to you and have a two connectors, one black plastic, the other white. Make sure those are seated.

 

I really feel for you, Meach! I wish I could be of some help. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

 

Looked in the dash as instructed, I’m definitely not a technician but both look secure to me. I attached the picture. Scheduled another appointment with Toyota dealership to look once more. Unfortunately I’m afraid this one may be finding another home. I’m fearful of electrical problems and all the expense that can rack up trying to chase it down but I appreciate all the suggestions! Y’all have a fantastic weekend.