1992 Toyota Pickup Arcing Kick Panel

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RICHEE
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  • 1 POST
i have been from time to time for the last few years been hearing a arcing noise at or around the ecu on the passenger side of my 92 toyota truck 4x v-6 3.0.i took the ecu out this summer to check for moisture and no luck as well as checked all the wiring to be sure there were no cuts or loose connecters and all looked well.i blamed it on moisture but it did it again and its 20 degrees now so do ya have any input?heres whats going on,when and only when i start the truck i hear this arcing sound from the passenger side kick panel area.i then turn the ignition key to the off position and try to start the truck again and its not there so the truck starts.the lights and guages all are fine when this happens and i pull the codes out of the ecu and all is well.from time to time it will reset my alarm system as if it would do when say a loose battery terminal or starter contacts go bad.soooo do ya have any input on this?thanks in advance and i look forward to seein what ya have to say
Dec 5, 2006 at 1:52 PM
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DERON93Z28
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I have heard there is a "nurser switch" located there that will shut off an engine after a collision and will not allow it to restart.I had this happen when I totaled my 94 4x2.
Dec 8, 2006 at 12:34 PM
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RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,988 POSTS
[quote:46e44c73c4="richee"]i have been from time to time for the last few years been hearing a arcing noise at or around the ecu on the passenger side of my 92 toyota truck 4x v-6 3.0.i took the ecu out this summer to check for moisture and no luck as well as checked all the wiring to be sure there were no cuts or loose connecters and all looked well.i blamed it on moisture but it did it again and its 20 degrees now so do ya have any input?heres whats going on,when and only when i start the truck i hear this arcing sound from the passenger side kick panel area.i then turn the ignition key to the off position and try to start the truck again and its not there so the truck starts.the lights and guages all are fine when this happens and i pull the codes out of the ecu and all is well.from time to time it will reset my alarm system as if it would do when say a loose battery terminal or starter contacts go bad.soooo do ya have any input on this?thanks in advance and i look forward to seein what ya have to say[/quote:46e44c73c4]



Sounds like a circuit breaker or relay going on the fritz
Dec 9, 2006 at 12:55 PM

Suggested Repair

Inspect and test the circuit breaker or relay in the passenger kick panel near the ECU. The intermittent arcing on start and occasional alarm reset point to that component failing rather than moisture or cut wiring.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1992 Toyota Pickup hears an intermittent arcing noise from the passenger kick panel near the ECU only when starting. Moisture and wiring checks found nothing, there are no codes, gauges stay normal, and a second start attempt usually works. The noise sometimes resets the alarm. The expert says it sounds like a circuit breaker or relay failing.

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