I haven't been here in ages. Things have changed a bit!

I've got a weird intermittent problem that is driving me nuts. I'm losing power to my guages in a 92 22re 4x4. When it happens, none of the guages work, the trip meter and odometer don't work, the backup lights don't come on, no turn signals and the AC/heater fan won't work. I do get the green dash lights to come on though they don't look quite as bright as normal.

I can't 'make' it happen and I haven't found anything to make it stop-it just does it on it's own.

I don't have a clue where to begin on this one. Any suggestions?

Those all sound like things that only function with the key in the 'ON' position. Wiggle the key?

Wiggling the key hasn't seemed to help. Ironically, turning the ignition off and back on again sometimes helps. Not usually, but sometimes. I'm really hoping I don't have to dig in to some wiring behind the fuse box or something. R&Ring the ingition switch is easy enough if that is the culprit.

To lose that much, my guess would be you are loosing one of the two power feeds through the ignition switch...

If you can find the schematics for your vehicle I'd check for a common feed point for all the stuff you are losing..

Suspecting the ignition switch itself since it is a mechanical device prone to this type failure. Really need the vehicle schematics though to determine.

You will see one main power feed dividing into 2 circuits that feed through separate contacts in the ignition switch.. One feed through the ignition powers everything needed to run the engine and the other feed for the remaining loads..

Thanks Dandeman

Unfortunately, I am about as incompetent as a person can get when it comes to electrical issues. I have been able to diagnose a thing or two following very specific instructions. I'll have to dig around in the service manual to see if I find something 'simple'.

Would you be of the opinion that a new ignition switch is likely to fix my troubles? I can live without a speedo. I can't live without wipers, AC, turn signals etc. Taking it to a shop is rather pointless as the problem is intermittent.

Thanks,

Jason

Maybe someone here can post a link to the electrical diagram for your '92 or, at least take a look at the diagram and comment on what common point in the wiring would cause the power loss would cause all the items you listed.

One thing you might inspect is the fuses labeled "AM1" and "AM2" in your vehicle.. These are the fuses for the two power feeds that go through the ignition switch.

Since you mentioned the problem is intermittent, when everything is working, try pulling AM1 fuse, replace it, then pull the AM2 fuse and see what goes out with each fuse.. Does either one correlate to the stuff you are losing when the problem is there?

Were it not for this, I'd say to check your ENG fuse. I kept blowing one with the indicated results; turned out I had a bare wire exposed down by the starter; would short every time it touched.

I do believe we have the ignition switch R&R in the Toyota section above; grab a paper clip!

Is there any reason to replace the lock/tumbler or should I just go for the electronic stuff? I only want to tear in to this once if possible.

Thanks again for the help everybody! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Hopefully your ig switch will take care of the problem but for some reason, in the recesses of my mind, I remember having a simular problem and I want to say it had something to do with the Circuit Opening Relay and/or the reostat.

Sorry , that is probably of no help at this time but I thought I'd throw it in there.

You have an ignition problem, not a tumbler problem. Cylinder just needs to be taken out of the way to get to the switch, so don't be over-thinking this when you don't have to. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />