A major Electrical problem on 2013 Grande

[mayhewga]

Had an interesting (read expensive) problem with my 2013 Kluger Grande (the last of the Japan built gen 2).
I have never had anything more major than a dirty rear door motor across three gen 2s I've owned. They are ultra reliable.

This week the good wife heads out only to return in 1 minute. Grabs me to have a look.

The blinkers stopped, followed by all the dash lights and buttons. Within 5 minutes the engine stopped and the starter wouldn't turn over.
So, I reckon, obviously battery, sure enough dead flat.
Had a new one delivered, $300, started ok but not charging.
Ok, that's why the battery is dead, so alternator is shot, not charging the battery, therefore (I'm thinking), all the dash electrics went out in sympathy. And still out even with new battery.
But the lights and emergency flasher still work??.
So, I fit a new alternator,$350.
Still no charge or change in symptoms.
OK, Now it's time to think outside the box.

Check all the fuses. Engine bay...all OK.

But where are the cabin fuses, not under the steering wheel as expected.

They're under the glovebox!

Ok, there is a 10A fuse gone, which according to some info sheet, feeds power to a myriad of items, but no mention of alternator.

So replace that fuse, all working for 10 seconds, then everything dies again. The new fuse has blown!

OK, this is getting tricky. What's causing this fuse to blow?

Whilst at the cabin fusebox, there's a lead feeding the cabin fan just next to it, I pull out the plug, put in another fuse and voila, everything works apart from the AC and fan.

I teplace the fan....another $350.

Everything now works and the alternator is now charging.

Yippee.

Only the drivers window is going up and down halfway then reversing. The battery removal has upset the limits, so turn on ignition, hold window switch down and keep holding, turn ignition off and back on, let go switch and the window now behaves.

Hope this helps others to save replacing a perfectly good alternator and perhaps save a battery too.

[SteveinTamworth]

Hi Mayhewga

Really appreciate the write up of the sequence of events leading to the issue!

I have a 2016 Kluger and you provide an insight as to what to look for.

I'm sure that your information will assist a lot of others on the Forum. Thanks again for the detailed information. 👍 

Safe Travels 

Steve in Tamworth NSW 

[Speedz]

haha nice to see your Kluger still going strong!

Is your suspension still stock or you went with a lift for your road trips? I've decided to try keep mine for another few years so looking for lift kits for those long road trips when I get to pack the house with me.