1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ignition

Part 4If your vehicle will not startÐ
(a) Simple checks
161
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If your vehicle will not start
If your engine stalls while driving
If your vehicle overheats
If you have a flat tire
If your vehicle needs to be towed

If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
If you lose your keys
Before making these checks, make sure
you have followed the correct starting pro-
cedure given in How to start the engineº
in Part 3 and that you have sufficient fuel.
If the engine is not turning over or is
turning over too slowlyÐ
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked, the battery is
discharged. You may try jump starting.
See (c) Jump startingº for further in- structions.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will
not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not pull- or push-start the vehicle. It may damage the vehicle
or cause a collision when the enginestarts. Also the three-way catalytic converter may overheat and be-come a fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal
speed but will not startÐ
1. Check that all the push-on connectors are tight. (For example, connections at the spark plugs, ignition coil and/or dis-
tributor)
2. If the connectors are O.K., the engine may be flooded because of repeated
cranking. See (b) Starting a flooded
engineº for further instructions.

173
TOWING PRECAUTIONS: Use a safety chain system for all towing,
and abide by the state/provincial and local
laws. The wheels and axle on the ground
must be in good condition. If they are
damaged, use a towing dolly.
Two-wheel drive modelsÐ
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck From frontÐ
Manual transmission
We recommend using a towing dolly un-
der the rear wheels. If you do not use a
towing dolly, release the parking brake
and put the transmission in neutral. Automatic transmission:
Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission from the
front with the rear wheels on theground, as this may cause serious damage to the transmission.
From rearÐ Place the ignition key in the
ACCº position.
NOTICE
When lifting wheels, take care to
ensure adequate ground clear-
ance for towing at the oppositeend of the raised vehicle. Other-wise, the bumper and/or under-
body of the towed vehicle will be damaged during towing.
Do not tow with the key removedor in the LOCKº position, as thesteering lock mechanism is notstrong enough to hold the front
wheels straight while towing.
(b) Using flat bed truck
(c) Towing with sling type truck from front
Follow the instructions for twoing from
front in (b) Towing with wheel lift type truckº. Four-wheel drive modelsÐ
(a) Towing with wheel lift type truck From frontÐ
Manual transmission:
We recommend using a towing dolly un-
der the rear wheels. If you do not use a
towing dolly, release the parking brake,
put the transmission in neutral and set the
transfer in H2º mode. Automatic transmission:
Use a towing dolly under the rear wheels.
NOTICE
Never tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission from the
rear with the front wheels on theground, as this may cause serious damage to the transmission.
From rearÐWe recommend using a tow-
ing dolly under the front wheels. If you do
not use a towing dolly, place the ignition key in the ACCº position, put the trans- mission in neutral and set the transfer inH2º.

176
If the emergency towing hook is
used to get out when your vehicle
becomes stuck in the mud, sand or
other condition from which the
vehicle can not be driven out under
its own power, make sure to observe
the precautions mentioned below.
Otherwise, excessive stress will be
put on the hook and the towing
cable or chain may break, causing
serious injury or damage. If the towing vehicle can hardly
move, do not forcibly continue the
towing. Contact your Toyota deal-
er or a commercial tow truck ser- vice for assistance.
Tow the vehicle as straight ahead as possible.
Keep away from the vehicle during
towing. CAUTION
!
The following methods are effective to
use when your vehicle is stuck in the mud, sand or other condition from which the ve-
hicle cannot be driven out under its own
power. Use extreme caution when
towing
the vehicle. In addition, keep away from
the vehicles and towing cable or chain
when towing. Remove the soil and sand in the front and the back of the tires.
Place stones or wood under the tires.
If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of Pº position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-pressed, use the shift lock override
button as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCKº
position. Make sure the parking brake is set.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat-bladed screwdriver or equivalent.
ÐTips for towing a stuck vehicle
If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
(two-wheel drive models)

177
3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent
into the hole to push up the shift
lock override button. You can shift
out of Pº position only while push-
ing the button.
4. Shift into Nº position.
5. Insert the cover.
6. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.If you cannot shift the selector lever
out of Pº position to other positions
even though the brake pedal is de-pressed, use the shift lock override
button as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to LOCKº position. Make sure the parking brake is set.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat-bladed screwdriver or equivalent.3. Insert your finger into the hole tomove the shift lock override lever
backward. You can shift out of Pº
position only while holding back
the lever.
4. Shift into Nº position.
5. Insert the cover.
6. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by
your Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever
(four-wheel drive models)

211
If the headlights or other electrical
components do not work, check the
fuses. If any of the fuses are blown,
they must be replaced.
See Fuse locationsº in Chapter 7-1 for
locations of the fuses.
Turn the ignition switch and inopera-
tive component off. Pull a suspected
fuse straight out and check it. Determine which fuse may be causing the
problem. The lid of the fuse box shows the name of the circuit for each fuse. See Part8 of this manual for the functions con-
trolled by each circuit. Type A fuses can be pulled out by usingthe pull-out tool. The location of the pull- out tool is shown in the illustration.
If you are not sure whether the fuse has
blown, try replacing the suspected fuse with one that you know is good.
If the fuse has blown, push a new fuse
into the clip.
Only install a fuse with the amperage rat-
ing designated on the fuse box lid.
If you do not have a spare fuse, in an emergency you can pull out the DOMEº or A/Cº fuse, which may be dispensable
for normal driving, and use it if its amper- age rating is the same.
If you cannot use one of the same amper-
age, use one that is lower, but as close as
possible to the rating. If the amperage is
lower than that specified, the fuse might
blow out again but this does not indicate
anything
wrong. Be sure to get the correct
fuse as soon as possible and return the
substitute to its original clip.
It is a good idea to purchase a set of spare
fuses and keep them in your vehicle for emergencies.
Checking and replacing fuses

212If the new fuse immediately blows out, there is a problem with the electrical sys-
tem.
Have your Toyota dealer correct it as
soon as possible.
Never use a fuse with a higher
amperage rating, or any other
object, in place of a fuse. This maycause extensive damage and
possibly a fire. CAUTION
!
If any washer does not work, the wash-
er tank may be empty. Add washer fluid.
You may use plain water as washer fluid.
However, in cold areas where tempera-
tures range below freezing point, use
washer fluid containing antifreeze. This
product is available at your Toyota dealer
and most auto parts stores. Follow the
manufacturer 's directions for how much
to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it may
damage your vehicle's paint.
The following illustrations show how to
gain access to the bulbs. When replacing
a bulb, make sure the ignition switch and
light switch are off. Use bulbs with the wattage ratings given in the table.
NOTICE
Only use a bulb or unit of the listed type.
Adding washer fluid Replacing light bulbsÐ