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lost power to gauges?

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14K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  Azul  
I
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
My RAV4, 04 replaced alternator after vehicle died and now have lost dash lights, gauges,
tail lights,etc.
Checked all fuses that I'm aware of and no luck. Starts up OK, but can't drive it this way. Any ideas of where to look? I don't know if a fusible link block is bad or how to check them.
 
D
#2 ·
First off you did not say where you checked ?

It looks like the fuse is blown.

Recheck the fuses in the drivers kick panel and the ones in the engine compartment.

You have to look carefully as sometimes a blown fuse may not be obvious.

Did you disconnect the battery first before installing the alternator?
 
I
#3 ·
I went back and double checked all fuses. OK
took the fusible link box off of battery terminal and unplugged pigtails from bottom.
Took it in to warm house and opened up. Sure enough it is burnt between 2nd and 3rd fuse links.
I took pics of it with my phone, but not sure how to post em here.
 
#4 ·
I
#6 ·
DL175 -The fuselink block is the big gray box, that bolts to the right side of the battery. It has 2 wire plugs, that plug into the bottom of it. I had to unsnap the harness clamp down lower, to be able to lift the whole thing up off the battery positive terminal. It may be a dealer replacement part?
I repaired mine by crimping it together with a copper sleeve, but won't recommend it to others.
 
I
#7 ·
As you can see in the pic, there are 6 links that any one can get burnt and will cause you to loose a cluster of electrical components, that will be dead.
Mine burnt thru where I had 2 legs good and the rest were dead.
You could use an ohm meter to check each line, but would be hard to do when still on the vehicle.
 
#8 ·
So......you DIDN'T disconnect the battery while replacing the alternator, right?
 
D
#9 ·
So it looks like you need to pull the fuse link out in order to check if the fuse blew.

I checked the prices and Toyota sells the fuse link close to $50. Hopefully your fix is temporary otherwise serious damage may occur if the electrical system is shorted again.

Forgot to ask what alternator brand did you buy ? New or reman ?
 
D
#12 ·
What part do you mean on this 10 year old thread?
 
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