Couple months back, some jackball decided he liked my CD player more than I did... (The deck came with the truck when I bought it in 02'). Needless to say they weren't exactly nice about the removal. Even though they yanked it out and took some wires with it, it's now evident that the chowderhead I bought it from hacked out the stock plugs (and upon closer inspection decided to play "electrician" elsewhere under the dash). He obviously had it rigged good because everything worked great until now! At this point I'm driving w/out dash lights, my interior lights work in ignition only and countless other surprises keep emerging. Every time I break out my handy ol' multimeter and THINK I have the right connections, I end up blowing multiple fuses (including my own) and the "Haynes" diagram has proven less than helpfull. Any tips or at least a good direction to start? (sorry for the rant, I'm just slightly frustrated!)

 

http://www.installdr.com/InstallDocs...a/4Runner.html

This site should help you make sense of the wires at the stereo.

 

thanx for the link man. Cool info which will come in handy but my problem is that I have way more than just the stock stereo wires dangling under there. Look forward to talking with you in the future!

 

Post a broken-down list of everything electrical that is no longer working correctly,not working at all, and/or so-so works, and I'll get the wire codes out of the FSM and post 'em for ya. Go out and get at least the Chilton manual for 91, and burn the Haynes.....! For our year trucks, IMO,the haynes book covers too many years,powerplant setups, suspension and wiring configurations w/out really touching on anything.And the information they do give is beyond vague and for the most part innaccurate. Now I'm only speaking from my personal dealings w/ the book covering '84-'90.

Just my opinion

 

Thanks in advance for your help man! I'll make a list this afternoon and get back to you. As for the Hayne's, I couldn't agree more!!!! I have replaced the CV boots AND the clutch with no help from that rag! I was afraid to drop another $20 on a Chiltons fearing that it wouldn't be any better. I'll take your advice and get one to keep around.

 

Chilton is by no means the best, but it's a million times better than haynes. Now If ya want some GOOD advice.....bite the bullet and go down to the stealership and buy the FSM's. Trust me, it'll be the second smartest thing you did...the first was of course buyin a Toy....but we all know that...

 

Take a look at the reostat(thingy for dimming dash lights). Had a doorknob working on my stereo and with his great wiring fried it. When that happened the dash lights, tail lights, and a few others that I can't think of now(was a long time ago).

 

My problems..... the courtesy lights work when the doors open but the domes only work manually. The backlights for the instrument cluster and a/c controls won't come on at all. I have all dummy lights, cruise and 4wd indicators though. I have also been through every fuse I know of inside and under the hood (and made sure it isn't the dimmer turned down). Now, under the radio bezel where the original stereo plug was, i have about 8-10 wires that are not connected. The factory speaker wires are obvious, those are pulled aside and not included in the 8 to 10 I can't place. I have pretty much isolated the stereo constant and ignition, but they all vary in size, color, and voltage. I have connected diffrent combos and gotten the dash lights to work before, but now they won't respond at all...

thanks again. No hurry, just when you get a spare minit

 

Wow, What a challenge you have. Keep us posted on your progress. If I were in your shoes I would plan on doing the following: 1. Buy the service manual from the dealership. 2. Get colored electrical tape and a sharpie pen. 3. Get some paper and a pen. 4. Remove as much of the dash as needed to work comfortably (to include the front seats if needed). 5. Plan on a weekend. THEN 6. Go through each wire. Rememember, wires that you do not see may have been pulled further back then from the stereo system. This will take some time. A lot of time. When something like this happens, you have to have time. You may have to unrap each wire bundle and physically trace the wire from the fuse to the source. Best of luck!!!

 

Ok tex, no problem. Gimme a few days. In the middle of re-plumbing the house due to shoddy so-called construction. .But whaddya expect for a 50+year old house w/ an attitude!! Din't want ya thinkin that I forgot or anything.....
T