I've been fighting this truck ever since I bought it! Today, bout to leave work for lunch and when I turned the ignition on smoke came from under hood. I've looked for burned wires, cant find any. All fuses seem to be O.K. Anyone got any ideas. When I turn the ignition on now all I get is a buzz. No wait to start or any other lights. Definitely no fire to starter. HELP!

 

Whatcha got there? Toyota? Ridgeline? Something else?

 

I can't give you a definate answer, but if it was me, I'd get a test light/ multi meter and see what worked when it was supposed to in the fuse box. Hot all the time, hot when the key was on.

I'm no mech, or brain child, but if/then usually works. What year? I have a service manual for an 04, I can get it to you to help you chase wires. PM me if you want it.

Good luck, and welcome to the DTR! Fill out your sig so everyone knows what you have. Left top side of the page, user CP, then edit signature.

-mad

 

i bet on relay.

 

sorry left out so much info. pretty ****** right now. 91.5 d250 pod's, pump tweaked, 16cm, bad everything in seems

 

Sounds like a fusible link or two has burnt. My truck had this problem when i bought it. I used the wiring diagram in the first gen section under sticky, along with a few others i rounded up, but it was the most helpful. It is for a 91.5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I had to replace all the fusible links in my truck, everything works great now. I will help any way possible

 

I looked all over the truck for other types of fuses and what not, but guess I dont know what a fusible link is or where to look for them. I did look at the wiring diagram I just have no way to print it off right now. I appreciate your help.

 

The truck is my daily driver. All the problems I've been experiencing is becoming expensive. Been thinking on getting another vehicle to drive just didnt want to spend the money. How you like that 04 jetta?

 

I really like the jetta, excellent fuel mileage, and puffs a little smoke with a chip on it And as for the fusible links, they are wires under the hood that are made to burn before any other wires(like a regular fuse). You should have four orange wires that come from the main big black wire on the positive side of the battery, I would start with them. They should also say fusible link on the wire its self, that should give you somewhere to start. If the wire isn't burnt completely in half, but looks burnt, try pulling the wire in half. Sometimes the copper will burn in half on the inside of the link, without completely burning the outside. Good luck, you can PM me if you have anymore questions. If you are anywhere close to me i wouldn't mind giving a hand also.

 

I have a jetta with 285kmi on it. RUNS LIKE A CHAMP! street kart style too. I want to put my Holset 3b turbo on it!!! 80lbs baby!

 

It could be your preheater mine went today and it realy stinks like electrical fire I don't know if your has this unit on it or not if it does you should check it.

 

I've checked fusible links with multimeter and looked inside the starter relay and those black electrical units that appear to be solinoids. all appear to be fine. I have no idea what a preheater is or where to look. something to do with glow plug system?

 

There are no gloplugs on gen-2. the pre-heater is a grate that heats the air after it comes out of the intercooler. it bolts on with the tube that comes into the heads. it works like a gloplug but heats all the air at on its way in.

 

How did you check the fusible links? I know you said with a multimeter but, how did you go about doing it. And for the relays on the drivers side fender it may take more than just inspecting them. The ones that have the same plug on them are able to be switched around to try to figure out if one is bad.

 

I unpluged what I could and did continuity checks, also check several for 12v
the truck wont run if the ignition is off but I had to run a hot wire from the battery to the pump to get the truck started and home. Doesnt make much sense to me. none of the wait to start lights come on nor the cig lighter but guge cluster comes on and head lights and dome light in truck. The charging system doesnt work either. the way I have to start it is to unplug the link that runs from + batt to relay and jump the wires. Not the best in the world but I was stuck! If the ignition works (cause truck wont start with out it) why doesnt the cig lighter work. I realize prob diff systems but I caint find any burnt wires and the way some stuff works but other things, that seem would be on same system, dont has me stumped.