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Electronic Circuit Inspection Procedure

  1. BASIC INSPECTION 
    1. RESISTANCE MEASURING CONDITION OF ELECTRONIC PARTS
      1. Unless stated, all resistance is measured at an ambient temperature of 20°C (68°F). Because the resistance may be outside the specifications if measured at high temperatures immediately after the vehicle has been running, measurements should be made when the engine has cooled down.
    2. HANDLING OF CONNECTOR
      1. When removing the connector with a lock, press the connector toward the engagement and remove the lock by making the lock claw movable easily.
      2. When removing the connector, do not hold the harness, but hold the connector.
      3. Before connecting the connector, check that there are no deformation, damage and missing of the terminals.
      4. Connection of the connector with a lock should be securely done until it makes a click sound.
      5. In case of checking the connector with a Toyota electrical tester, perform it at the back side (harness side) of the connector using a mini test lead.
      Fig 1: Testing Connector Using Toyota Electrical Tester
      G02836703Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      NOTE:
      • As a water proof connector cannot be checked from its back side, check by connecting the sub-harness.
      • Do not damage the terminals by moving the inserted tester needle.
    3. CONNECTOR CHECKING POINTS
      1. Checking when the connector is connected:

        By holding the connector, check the inserted condition and locking efficiency (engaged condition).

      2. Checking when the connector is removed:

        Check by pulling the wire harness lightly (missing terminal, terminal crimping condition, core wire break).

        Check visually if there is any rust, metal tip, water and bend of terminal (rust, mixing of foreign object, terminal deformation).

        NOTE: When testing a gold-plated female terminal, always use a gold-plated male terminal.
        Fig 2: Locating Connector Checking Points
        G02836704Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      3. Checking of the contact pressure of the terminal:

        Prepare the same terminal as a male terminal. By inserting it to a female terminal, check the engaged condition and sliding load.

        Fig 3: Locating Terminals Checking Procedure
        G02836705Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    4. REPAIR METHOD OF CONNECTOR TERMINAL
      1. In case that there is any soil at the contact point, clean the contact point using an air gun or shop rag. At this time, never polish the contact point using a sand paper as the platings may come off.
      2. In case of abnormal contact pressure, replace the female terminal. At this time, if a male terminal is gold-plated (gold color), use gold-plated female terminals and if it is silver-plated (silver color), use silver-plated female terminals.
      Fig 4: Preparing Method Of Connector Terminal
      G02836706Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    5. HANDLING OF WIRE HARNESS
      1. In case of removing the wire harness, check the wiring and clamping condition before the work so as to restore it correctly.
      2. Never twist, pull or slack off the wire harness more than necessary.
      3. Never make the wire harness come into contact with a high-temperature part, rotating, moving, vibrating or acute-angled part (edge of the panel, tip of the screw, etc.).
      4. When installing parts, never sandwich the wire harness between them.
      5. Never cut or break the cover of the wire harness. If it is cut or broken, replace it or securely repair it with a vinyl tape.
      Fig 5: Removing Method Of Wire Harness
      G02836707Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  2. CHECK OPEN CIRCUIT 
    1. For the open circuit in the wire harness in Fig 5, perform "(b) Check the continuity" or "(c) Check the voltage" to locate the section.
      Fig 6: Testing Open Circuit Procedure
      G02836708Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    2. Check the continuity.
      1. Disconnect connectors "A" and "C" and measure the resistance between them.

        Resistance: 1 Ω. or less 

        Fig 7: Testing 'A' And 'C' Connector Continuity Method
        G02836709Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

        HINT:

        Measure the resistance while lightly shaking the wire harness vertically and horizontally.

        In the case of Fig 6:

        Between terminal 1 of connector "A" and terminal 1 of connector "C" --> No continuity (open)

        Between terminal 2 of connector "A" and terminal 2 of connector "C" --> Continuity

        Therefore, it is found out that there is an open circuit between terminal 1 of connector "A" and terminal 1 of connector "C".

      2. Disconnect connector "B" and measure the resistance between the connectors.

        In the case of Fig 7:

        Between terminal 1 of connector "A" and terminal 1 of connector "B1" --> Continuity

        Between terminal 1 of connector "B2" and terminal 1 of connector "C" --> No continuity (open)

        Therefore, it is found out that there is an open circuit between terminal 1 of connector "B2" and terminal 1 of connector "C".

      Fig 8: Measuring Continuity Between "A" And "C" Connector
      G02836710Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    3. Check the voltage.
      1. In a circuit in which voltage is applied (to the ECU connector terminal), an open circuit can be checked by conducting a voltage check.

        As shown in Fig 8, with each connector still connected, measure the voltage between the body ground and terminal 1 of connector "A" at the ECU 5 V output terminal, terminal 1 of connector "B", and terminal 1 of connector "C", in that order.

      2. If the results are:

        5 V: Between terminal 1 of connector "a" and body ground

        5 V: Between terminal 1 of connector "b" and body ground

        0 V: Between terminal 1 of connector "c" and body ground

        Then it is found out that there is an open circuit in the wire harness between terminal 1 of "B" and terminal 1 of "C".

        Fig 9: Measuring Continuity Between "A", "B", "C" Connectors
        G02836711Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  3. CHECK SHORT CIRCUIT 
    1. If the wire harness is ground shorted as in Fig 9, locate the section by conducting a "continuity check with the body ground".
      Fig 10: Testing Short Circuit Procedure
      G02836712Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
    2. Check the continuity with the body ground.
      1. Disconnect connectors "A" and "C" and measure the resistance between terminal 1 and 2 of connector "A" and the body ground.

        Resistance: 1 MΩ. or higher 

        HINT:

        Measure the resistance while lightly shaking the wire harness vertically and horizontally.

        In the case of Fig 10:

        Between terminal 1 of connector "A" and body ground --> Continuity (short)

        Between terminal 2 of connector "A" and body ground --> No continuity

        Therefore, it is found out that there is a short circuit between terminal 1 of connector "A" and terminal 1 of connector "C".

        Fig 11: Measuring Resistance Between "A" And "C" Terminal
        G02836713Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      2. Disconnect connector "B" and measure the resistance between terminal 1 of connector "A" and the body ground, and terminal 1 of connector "B2" and the body ground.

        In the case of Fig 11:

        Between terminal 1 of connector "A" and body ground --> No continuity

        Between terminal 1 of connector "B2" and body ground --> Continuity (short)

        Therefore, it is found out that there is a short circuit between terminal 1 of connector "B2" and terminal 1 of connector "C".

        Fig 12: Measuring "B2" And Terminal "C" Connector Continuity
        G02836715Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  4. CHECK AND REPLACE ECU 
    NOTE:
    • Start an inspection of the connector from the backside of the connector at the wire harness side with the connector connected to the ECU.
    • When no measuring condition is specified, perform the inspection with the engine stopped and also the ignition switched ON.
    1. First check the ECU ground circuit. If it is faulty, repair it. If it is normal, the ECU could be faulty. So, replace the ECU with a normal functioning one and check if the symptoms appear.
      1. Measure the resistance between the ECU ground terminal and body ground.

        Resistance: 1 Ω. or less 

        Fig 13: Measuring Resistance Between ECU Ground Terminal And Body Ground
        G02836716Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
      2. Disconnect the ECU connector, check the ground terminals on the ECU side and wire harness side for bend and check the contact pressure.
        Fig 14: Locating ECU Connector
        G02836717Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002