Flat batteries.

[Maverick]

Where mine can sit for a month or two between runs, I now leave it connected to my Camping Solar panel (45w). This counters the drain from the alarm, and car phone, so she's ready to go whenever I need her.

[Hazzo]

I've had the same problem for three years and waiting at present for Toyota to deliver 2 new ones, I've checked all earths and connections and 3 days is maximum before it won't start, Its the immob on mine, nothing wrong with the batts as if disconnected, which is what I do if away at the caravan or holiday, they will fire the car up fine even 6 weeks later. H

[adpsimpson]

This is a problem I've not had (been collecting other common ones). I only have one standard Surf battery, I replaced the other with a deep discharge leisure battery, connected via a relay. It's stood like that for months, and still starts fine. Admittedly slightly sluggish to turn over on the first start after a month or two standing still, but a long way from flat. And the battery I left in place is a long way from new - maybe 2 or 3 years old.

So, my conclusion is that there's something wrong with your wiring. I'd rig up a ammeter to measure current draw while it's sitting idle and see what that tells you, then see if you can identify which fuse is letting power through to see what circuit it's on.

[NiftyNev]

Alternator upgrade -

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/v...rnator+upgrade

Nev

[slobodan]

Where mine can sit for a month or two between runs, I now leave it connected to my Camping Solar panel (45w). This counters the drain from the alarm, and car phone, so she's ready to go whenever I need her.

45W solar charger? I'll bet that's a size.
I Thought they only went up to about 15W

[MWS]

Alternator upgrade -

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/v...rnator+upgrade

Nev

Thanks Nev. Thats brilliant. Just the sort of info I was looking for. Ill bet that info is going to be useful to a lot of others who run a lot of extra lights, winches etc. And thanks to everyone else for your ideas and input. Keep it comming...Cheers....Mick.

[MWS]

Alternator upgrade -

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/v...rnator+upgrade

Nev

Has anyone on the forum done this, or a similar upgrade?

[Hazzo]

This is a problem I've not had (been collecting other common ones). I only have one standard Surf battery, I replaced the other with a deep discharge leisure battery, connected via a relay. It's stood like that for months, and still starts fine. Admittedly slightly sluggish to turn over on the first start after a month or two standing still, but a long way from flat. And the battery I left in place is a long way from new - maybe 2 or 3 years old.

So, my conclusion is that there's something wrong with your wiring. I'd rig up a ammeter to measure current draw while it's sitting idle and see what that tells you, then see if you can identify which fuse is letting power through to see what circuit it's on.

My electrical expertise equates to putting a plug on a lamp, I know the problem is down to the immob after wiring up my temp guage and seeing the mess of the wiring from the immob into the system and know I couldn't sort it out, I have two new batts on this morning and plan on an isolator switch sometime in the near future, till then I'll be disconnecting physically after a run. I'm sick of spending on this car lately and have no intention of buying meters of any sort to diagnose problems, next problem will be a big fire, electrical I hope. H

[adpsimpson]

My electrical expertise equates to putting a plug on a lamp, I know the problem is down to the immob after wiring up my temp guage and seeing the mess of the wiring from the immob into the system and know I couldn't sort it out, I have two new batts on this morning and plan on an isolator switch sometime in the near future, till then I'll be disconnecting physically after a run. I'm sick of spending on this car lately and have no intention of buying meters of any sort to diagnose problems, next problem will be a big fire, electrical I hope. H

Lol, fair enough. With my habit of buying bangers, the surf is the only car I've had that I've driven without that attitude that a crash/fire just big enough to write it off might be a blessing

[Hazzo]

I've only ever bought bangers, in fact till I paid 3 grand for this my most expensive car was a Honda accord which cost 1200 quid and apart from a timing belt/cv joint and a set of rubber cost me nothing more whatsoever in four years ownership, this mothaf**ker on the other hand just keeps eating every spare penny I ever have, so much for Toyota reliability, they might be ok from new but at this age they're a money pit. H

[wishbone]

so much for Toyota reliability, they might be ok from new but at this age they're a money pit. H

It's the Toyota reliability that got them through the first 15 years + of their lives (talking 2nd gens here). If you're prepared to spend on regular maintenance then they will carry on going for ages. Right now I've got a 3.0 that is about to have all the bushes / shocks / springs / steering components / bearings etc done. Once this is done and the chassis wire brushed and sprayed it should see me good for years to come. Am putting on a new head and considering engine bearings too.

I agree with DBob about the 2.4's. The 3.0 heads all seem to be going too these days so it's fair to say these engines are not the most long lived.

[Hazzo]

I service this mutha every 3000 without fail, anything that needs doing to keep it roadworthy is done, apart from these age related probs I think its a ###### good car and even with the $hit which happened most recently with mine I reckon I can keep it going for a long time to come. Apart from that my wife's Scottish and the pair of us want twenty years of motoring for our 3 grand, we have 3 now, only 17 to go. H

[wishbone]

That's the spirit! I had my 2.4 sorn'd for a year while I did the head, suspension, brakes etc (saved up for a month bought some bits, saved up next month bought more bits etc..) Since then it's only been general servicing and a few bits and bobs.

I'm sure yours will settle down and behave itself soon enough.

Cheers,
Rob.

[Maverick]

Mine set me back just under 2 grand in repairs and servicing in it's first year of ownership. Admitedly this was due to a questionable dealer who closed shop and ran off one night, and a mechanic who charged over the top for work that wasn't always done.
That was back in 2003.
Nowadays she normally costs me insurance, roadtax, and normal service parts per year.
If it wasn't for her drinking problem she would be my best and only car.