Sometimes no start, sometimes dash lights

[Rivvy121060]

After two years of messing with van, I finally got it running and put back together! So when I was ready to take for a drive the battery was low, so put it on charger and when I started it my oil light came on. So not knowing why I shut it off then restarted and then brake, oil and radiator light stayed on, but went off within just about a minute! Then the oil light came back on and went off again! I am confused because I started van half a dozen times and none of the dash lights stayed on! So is this fusible link issue or is it due to the fact the battery had run down? Or loose wire somewhere? So close to being mobile and now stumped?
Please and advice would be so awesome!!:dizzy::?::doh::(:

[JDM VANMAN]

Check out the search feature on the top right corner, there's usually something very similar to your issue that has been discussed.

Type in "Christmas dash" "radiator light" "brake light" and a few postings will come up, you just need to read thru the ones that are closest to your issue. There's a lot of good threads, scenarios and resolutions to issues you've posted.

Radiator light- could be the sensor in the the over flow bottle
Brake light- could be low brake fluid
Oil light- could be low oil or even, just a bad oil light sensor which is usually the case but you must confirm before you rule that.
Chrismas dash- could be bad alternator causing all the lights to come on

I don't know all the all the technical terms so I'm throwing out what I remember from searching the forum and experiencing some of the same issues.

Check it out and report back

good luck:thmbup:

[Rivvy121060]

Thank you I will reread them as I have read some of them before but didnt have the issue and of course tonight when I started and run it for a bit all lights went out as supposed to! They of course never came back on either, so not sure what the deal was but I will read all info and go from there! Thank you so much for you quick response! I will let you know how it goes!:wnk::yes::wave1:

[Rivvy121060]

:wall::wall:Ok I am stumped! I ran van for awhile then shut it off, and started up to go for a drive and after a minute the lights came on. I shut it off and then it did nothing when I turned the key to start, so rolled it back down the drive and messed woth the key and it started and lights went out! So today I start it up everything was good and drove it over to see if I could figure out whats up and had no issues! About the forth time I went to start it and now I have nothing again! Tried headlights and had nothing but a noise in the dash but have flashers?? I still have nothing when I turn it over? Could it be my ignition switch or do you think it is fusible link issue or maybe ground? I am so miffed by this van! Any help would be so amazing!!:cry::cry::wrthy:PLEASE HELP!!!

[zak99b5]

General experience would make me look at the ignition switch. Also the cluster grounds.

[Rivvy121060]

Thank you that is what I was going to do after work tomorrow, as I have reading all the valuable information you all provide! I have the steering column exposed along with the glove box area! I dont however know where to look for the grounds could you point me to the right direction? It has made me feel as if I am spinning in circles! For three days now no start/power and then today it fires right up and this time headlights/ brake and dash lights worked but the warning lights oil/radiator and a faint charge light again stayed on and the seatbelt and check engine light both went out! Tried several times with same results and go eat dinner come out and again no power nothing? Thanks so much for all the amazing info! You are all awesome!

[originalkwyjibo]

I will be in Hoquiam Saturday for a swim meet with my kids. There's a possibility I could give you a hand. We were thinking of camping somewhere down there before heading home on Sunday.

[Rivvy121060]

:doh:Omg! I would so love that except I will be in Port Angeles this weekend for the Jet Sprint Boat Racing! A very awesome inexpensive event! So you live in the Western Wa area? Its nice to know as I would love to learn all I can about my baby as I dont want to give her up so I am determined, cant say I have had such a challenge with any car I have had in the past! Maybe another time or ?? I cant tell you how much it means for you to offer to help me out almost want to cancel my plans!:?:

[originalkwyjibo]

I'm in Tacoma. We go to swim meets in Hoquiam a few times a year at the Y. I was going to offer about a month ago but we ended up skipping that meet. If you get it up and running in time, I'm really hoping to have a Japanese van meet in Tacoma sometime in August. Planning to invite Toyota and Mitsubishi since I own both as well as Nissan but I haven't seen any of those around in quite some time.
My brother has been to those boat races and said they were a blast. I tried to go a couple years ago but schedules didn't work out.

[Rivvy121060]

That sound fun! I do hope I get it going soon, been down for almost two years! Very sad!
the boat races are great and really cheap for a family to go! Well hope to have her rolling soon and make it to your get together it would be super neat to see all the different toys!

[JDM VANMAN]

Ok throwing out a couple of threads that I remember reading about the headlight relay, not sure if you've already covered these ones but doesn't hurt to put it out there-


http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?366-running-taillights-platelight-and-dash-lights-out&highlight=Headlight+relay


http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?456-Headlight-problem&highlight=Headlight+relay

[originalkwyjibo]

Rivvy, do you have any suggestions for a little known amazing campsite around the area? I am meeting someone in Grayland probably Sunday and was going to stay at Grayland Beach State Park but when I checked two weeks ago it was booked solid. I suppose something in that direction would be better.

[Rivvy121060]

I have a friend/co worker who owns a campground somewhere in grayland so let me check with her and see what I can do for you!

[Rivvy121060]

:yes: You may be in luck, my friend said there is still some sites left at Kenanna Rv Park and the # is
360-267-3515! I know the park is in grayland and most of the campgrounds are very similar but that is about all I know! Wish I did know more but I myself have only lived down here for two years next month! My folks about 18 years but they dont do much site seeing! Hope this works out for you!

[Rivvy121060]

update!
so this is the latest on my who knows dilema!
so for a short time had van running without any issues
then warning lights came on and then stayed on! Had no
headlights but a buzzing from fuse box area when turned on!
turned off went and ate came back and it started and headlights
worked and everything looked good! Helped my dad with his boat
motor he had to rebuild and say less than an hour came back to van
and now I have nothing, no warning lights, no headlights and no click
when turning key over! So today I begin again fusible links appear good,
battery shows 12+ and there is power to ignition switch but when I turn the
key to start position I have no power to the start 1 and Start 2 contacts on
the switch just a click . Stop for awhile and then back to nothing again!
I am miffed!! Is it my clutch switch, started battery? I just dont get why one
minute things are good and without even messing with any wiring or anything the
situation completely changes! I am crazy so any input that can save what is left of my
mind would be so very awesome! Thanks again for all the amazing advice and information!
:cnfsd::cnfsd::dizzy::doh::bdmd::wall:

[JDM VANMAN]

Man I know how you feel cause I was just going thru is as well. Here's my thread and with in the thread are some good redirect links provided by Timsrv and helpful tips by some of our more experienced DIY members-

hope this helps:thmbup:

http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?2883-3Y-4Y-starters

[Rivvy121060]

Thank you so much! Seems I have not figured out may way around here but what information and articles I have read have been amazing! With that being said I have never had such a puzzling vehicle before! Not to mention one that can go from one problem be repaired and then come up with several new and very different symptoms while sitting right in front of you! It is a little draining and heart wrenching! I will read up tonight and begin anew bright and early in the morning before work! Thanks a billion!

[originalkwyjibo]

Thanks for the info on the campground, I'll definitely check into that.

Noooo doubt, intermittent electrical issues can be very frustrating. If you have a burnt or corroded connection it could certainly be causing an intermittent malfunction. You mention a buzzng from the fuse box. Could this have been electrical arcing? There are some common issues wth the fuse box arcing and burnng out the circuits on the back of the panel. I can't seem to find the threads where this is discussed so you'll have to do some searching.

[Rivvy121060]

Thank you yeah it happened when I turned on headlights, but flashers work fine throughout all of this! So wierd, and when I turn the key on the clock stops working!

[tbkilb01]

Battery level at 12.6volts? But it still could not be "good" battery, may need a load test?..have you checked resistance across all cable connections? Done a headlight test? May need a slow charge or replace? If its just a battery problem its not that hard to eliminate...then the fun starts...
search read search read...luck

[Rivvy121060]

Thank you and actually I havent done battery check under a load, nor light check. Hadnt gotten any further yet as I had to work and then going to races sat so will jump in again on Sunday! It is very possible that the battery is at least part of the problem as not sure how long it was in van before I got it but it has been sitting for well over a year so?? Will be borrowing a good battery for testing purposes Sunday! Thanks again!

[originalkwyjibo]

When will you be home Sunday? I'm not planning to head home until early afternoon.

[Rivvy121060]

Planning on getting home early Sunday morning or depending on how we feel I may even drive home Sat night! So either way I should be here Sunday morning!

[originalkwyjibo]

PM'ing you my number.

[Rivvy121060]

​Ok so was able to get back to working on the van and for days I have had nothing when turning key!
more checking all the wiring again found that the positive wire to starter wasnt tight and needed a washer to get it tight! Done! Still dont like the negative cable ground so am replacing that as soon as I can find a good place that I can actually get the bolt or nut loose as the old one I cant bugde. But took a jumper cable from battery and grounded it to a bolt on engine and bam it starts, but with all warning lights again! So after a few minutes of messing with the next item inder suspision the ignition switch as a couple of the soldered points were able to be moved some and when I started again no lights they went out as supposed to!
So at least for now I need to locate an ignition switch and a place to attach my negative cable from battery!
Does anyone have any ideas on either item in question! Gosh seems always so close and yet so far away! :dizzy::clap::silvervan:

[Rivvy121060]

:bdmd:Help one more question? Do you have to by separately headlight switch/dimmer switch from the ignition switch as I am thinking that when I use my dimmer switch it seems to drag motor down for a second, nothing else that I see just that? Anyone have any input on this? Should I replace all or can you even get them anymore???????

[Rivvy121060]

well great news! Knock on wood!:clap:, replace the negative battery cable and the loose solder points on ignition switch my dad soldered them and so far so good! Been starting
right up and the warning lights have all went out as supposed to! Have driven it a little further each time just to make sure nothing pops up! So hoping that maybe tomorrow night
I will bring her home for good!
My next adventure is somehow re doing the interior as the carpet is basically just disintegrating! Any advice?

[Jdelgado]

I had a similar problem with the "christmas tree lights" situation, I was out driving last night enjoying the nice and cool weather and my brake, oil, charge & radiator light came on but wouldn't stay on. It just would periodically flash ( freeway was kinda bumpy don't know if that matters or not ) However, I pulled over and noticed I was a little low on oil and brake fluid. I topped them off and drove about 80 miles and they didn't flash again. Car turns on fine, everything works but should I be worried? or is there something else I should check just in case?


Thanks again!

[coeurdelovesyou]

I feel this seems a good place to ask my question, I'm new here, but probably will be around for awhile as I'm in love, already looking for my next 4x4. Anyways.. my van started acting up and read the codes for the ignition switch starter or ignition switch. Long story short it would take forever to get started it seemed it didn't want to fire up but after awhile would go. I can't drive it hard anymore and decided I'd start attempting to fix and smooth out my experience with this beast. I replaced the ignition switch and now the car won't do anything, no power atoll, no lights, nothing, I tried jumping the car and nothing, my battery is fairly new. Tomorrow I'm gonna try and test a different battery but does anyone know why might be going on? I assume maybe I knocked some wire loose on the starter but to be honest I don't even know where it is. Any help is soo appreciated, I'm about to take this thing around the country traveling and painting so I'm hoping to get it moving soon!

[Rivvy121060]

I started post before about about no spark issue, then xmas lights and nothing!
so got all of issues resolved and drove the van several times with no problems,
then I broke my wrist so havent started it for about three weeks until yesterday.
when I started it the dash lights once again stayed on and so I shut it off and when
tried to start it again I had nothing! Could this be a insufficient battery even tho it
reads 11.7 volts? Or am I back to the drawing board again? Clearly makes no sense
to me how it is fine fine then not!!
please help I have 3 vehicles and all broke down this one being the most wanted and
closest to running, my other is a 2000 Taurus very nice but blown head gasket and seems
they are not worth fixing! I have never thought of any car being a "throw away" but
this is what I am hearing!:?::dizzy::bdmd:

[Rudy]

You should have more than 11.7 volts. 12.5 would be ideal.

I've had batteries that would charge to 11.9, but they failed the load test. Take it to a battery shop and have them load test it.

The dash lights are a concern though too. Is your power steering pump leaking on your alternator?

[Rivvy121060]

I dont really see that the power steering has been or is leaking. The battery I will have tested it is just wierd that it so randomly does this and then be good for several runs, I havent driven it very far each time because I am unsure of whT is going on with it! Very perplexed!:cnfsd:
thanks!

[Rudy]

The fact that it started, you shut it off quickly, and then it wouldn't start leads me to believe that the battery was low and the alternator didn't have time to charge it up enough to start it. You should be above 11.7 volts.

Did it crank at all when you tried to start it again or was there literally "nothing"?

If the battery passes the load test, then you should put it on a charger and have your alternator tested.

[Rivvy121060]

my problem is from the plug going to ignition switch as I unplugged it and then just touched them slightly together and then it fires up but I still had the radiator and oil staying on the charge light did go out!:clap: So I guess I need new ignition harness? Or switch or both? I am tempted to just by pass and hot wire but dint really want to have it all apart just want to be drivable:wall:
Does anyone have or know if it is possible to even get these parts? Any input why the charge light went out but other two stayed on? One more question I replaced the negative
battery cable and it does not go to body and then block just to block, it does however have a smaller wire thatcan be a ground to the body, so should that smaller wire also be grounded?:cnfsd:

[Ace MM]

it does not go to body and then block just to block, it does however have a smaller wire thatcan be a ground to the body, so should that smaller wire also be grounded?:cnfsd:
Always start with easy / cheap things first. The key switch does sound faulty.
A good body ground is important, so yes connect it.
Check all connections for corrosion.
Should see 12.4v w/o any load, open a door and see if the light drops the voltage rapidly. It shouldn't.

I'm here to find parts myself.

[Rivvy121060]

Update!!
I was able to get my hands on a new ignition switch harness and when all hooked up turned key over and nothing no lights or anything! Battery is reading 12.4! So I start again looking for an obvious problem. See nothing so I unplug the harness and turn key on and when I barely put the plugs together the I believe is relay clicks and my charge light comes on! I was alone so I couldnt try to see if it would start by barely touching together, but if I push them as if plugging in then nothing! ao I just had my light that checks for power and with key off there was power at the white/red wire and the white/green and nothing else! But with key on white/red was the only one that had power! More confused now so decide to see if I could hot wire it and by running a wire from w/r to w/g and to b/r and I think it was b/w I could get it to turn over but didnt start as I was more just checking to see if it was battery or starter or ??? So is this switch faulty as well or is there something I am missing?? please or please someone have some thoughts on this before I loose my marbles!!:dizzy::wall::(:

[Rivvy121060]

Ok here I go again! With new ignition switch and new battery; I attempt to start it and I have nothing! I have headlights and that is all! Now I can turn key on and run an jumper and it fired right up and purrs but nothing with the key! Also when running I have no guages or tail lights just the headlights and flasher but no turn signals! Any ideas what I am missing here?:?: