Stranded by Sequoia!!!

florit · #1 (**permalink**) 09-07-2008, 11:14 PM

Well, almost.

Took the family for a ride up the mountain in the gondola and a hike down @ the ski resort today (last day of the season and beauitful weather). After the hike, it was back to town for some dinner.

Dinner went well then we all head back to the Sequoia, buckle up, start 'er up and pull the shifter into R. Only problem is the shifter wouldn't budge. Then I notice that the nav screen "failed to launch". I turn the engine off and start it again, no nav, no clock, ABS light, power steering malfunction light, tire pressire light, airbag light, no climate control, no power windows and it won't shift out of park.

My wife and I commence to trying to figure out what's going on, and trying all different forms of reentering and starting the car (remote lock & unlock, using the key, remote start (which didn't work BTW)). Nothing is working except the engine starts and the guages light up.

20 minutes later, I learn to use the transmission lock override button next to the shifter, shift the thing into gear, and drive 15 miles home. On the drive home still nothing worked including the headlights, taillights, brakelights, blinkers, guages, etc.

I guess I'll be visiting the dealer tomorrow with a near $60,000 Sequoia Platnium with 2,172 miles on it that "don't work".

Anybody guesses out there what the problem might be?

JBK23 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 07:38 AM

Man that's not good how far were you away from home go in there and raise hell

you pay all this dang money and go half way up the road and it breaks down !

DavidTaylor9 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 03:00 PM

Did you try disconnecting the battery?

TraderHal · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by florit

I guess I'll be visiting the dealer tomorrow with a near $60,000 Sequoia Platnium with 2,172 miles on it that "don't work".

which is now worth barely 45k

florit · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidTaylor9

Did you try disconnecting the battery?

Yes I did. No help.

florit · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TraderHal

which is now worth barely 45k

Which is still ALOT of $$!!!

florit · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 08:17 PM

OK, here's the deal!

The dealer was able to get the Sequoia in the shop this afternoon. They found the cause of the problem to be an "open AM1 circiut", and the correction was to "replace fuse AM1", after which they performed a "zero point calibration" (all according to the invoice they provided me with).

I think the AM 1 fuse they replaced is the 150 A fuse that is located in position #51 of the engine compartment fuse block. And, according to the information in the owners manual, I'll make an educated guess that this circiut routes its 150 amps to the fuse block under the insterment panel, which then distributes that power to 30 seperate 'sub-circiuts'.

The cost of the 150 A fuse was $1.17 and was covered under the factory warranty, as were the labor costs.

What the dealership was not able to tell me, however, is why the fuse blew for sure. Their guess was that there was a possible overload of the power outlet. My answer to that was that my wife had her cellular phone charger plugged into the outlet, but her phone was not plugged into the charger. Although I doubt it is the culprit, I conceded that it is possible the charger could have a "short" in it. I guess time will tell.

I think it would be wise for us all to carry these types of fuses in the vehicle at all times. Or am I just paranoid?

DavidTaylor9 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 08:38 PM

Its always good to have fuses in your vehicle. Just like jumper cables

florit · #9 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidTaylor9

Its always good to have fuses in your vehicle. Just like jumper cables

You're preaching to the choir there.
My thing is this; I'd be willing to bet none of us have ever carried a spare 150A fuse in our lives. I have anywhere from 5 amp to 30 amp in my spare fuse collection.

JBK23 · #10 (**permalink**) 09-09-2008, 08:59 PM

Well I'm glad it got fixed and that is wasn't any thing major !

florit · #11 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBK23

Well I'm glad it got fixed and that is wasn't any thing major !

Mabey, It went back into the shop yesterday for the same thing. Now I guess they'll have to track down an electrical short. I don't look forward to what lies ahead, for the tech, or me.

BTW, the cell phone charger wasn't plugged in this time, nothing was.

florit · #12 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 09:15 AM

Well I think the problem is fixed now.

The tech isolated the 'short' to something in the remote starter. Parts came in & it will be fixed today.

ToyotaTech · #13 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 11:50 AM

The AM1 fuse is NOT a 150A fuse. It's a 7.5A fuse that is used in the Starter, shift lock and power source circuits. A remoter starter surely could cause this fuse to blow.

Pellapat · #14 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008, 04:24 PM

Don't feel so bad my wife hit a dear 2 days ago and 9000k in damages.

I still cannot believe a 150 pound deer took it out. Radiator blew as well.

florit · #15 (**permalink**) 09-13-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToyotaTech

The AM1 fuse is NOT a 150A fuse. It's a 7.5A fuse that is used in the Starter, shift lock and power source circuits. A remoter starter surely could cause this fuse to blow.

Fuse #51 in the engine compartment fuse block IS a 150A fuse and it does control the AM1 circuit, as well as many others.