84 camry help needed - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ek_b16 · 12-27-2010, 07:26 PM

here is the problem:

My older brother tried to change out the thermostat on his 84 camry Le but forgot to disconnect the negative on the battery. The wire he remove from the alternator touched the metal casing on the alternator and he saw smoke from the radiator fan and saw a spark. Now the car wont start. He's got power but not on the cluster or rear taillights. The signals and horn works fine. All the fuse's are fine. None are blown from which I have checked.

Is there a fuse or reply somewhere that I can check? Or do I have to test each wire on the main engine harness for a fried wire? If so where can I get a diagram or does anyone know which wires to test? Any help is appreciated. Thanks for all the input in advance.

atobe · 12-28-2010, 12:45 AM

i don't know about the gen1 but on the 87+ camry there's 3 fuses on the battery+ side, and there's also a circuit breaker on the driver side kick panel ontop of the fuses.. might fix it might not i don't know GL

dem2757 · 12-28-2010, 01:16 AM

pretty much it could be anything. the current went straight to ground. multiple things in the engine bay could have been fried. this is why when you jump a car make sure the person who is jumping knows how to do it.

good luck though, i would check the main fuses and breakers in the engine bay by the battery and then check the kick panel breakers.

Mike Gerber · 12-28-2010, 05:10 PM

I don't remember if they used this on the first generation Camry (1983-1986), but the other generations actually had an alternator fuse. It acts as a main fuse for many of the car's functions. If I remember correctly, when this fuse blows only things like the emergency flashers will work (and maybe the headlights). Check the owner's manual for if, if that is still available. Many times you have to unbolt the fuse box in the engine compartment and lift it up to change this fuse. It usually is held in by an 8MM hex head bolt that has to be removed from the side, hence having to unbolt the fuse box itself and lift it. THis large fuse runs $3-$4 at places like Autozone. It runs about $20 at a Toyota dealer. Just be sure to disconnect the negative battery cable first.

Mike

ek_b16 · 12-29-2010, 02:05 AM

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I will check the fuse's again but I'm sure none were blown. You guys state that there is a breaker on the kick panel side? Also which fuse in the engine bay? There is a fuse connected to the positive wire but those two are good as well. I've changed all the fuse's in the fuse box by the battery to make sure but still nothing.