Hello,

My first time posting here so I hope I'm in the right spot. I apologize if I'm not.

I have 1998 Montero (full size) v6. Don't have the owners manual. Just got it a year ago from my dad. A friend of mine borrowed it couple days ago and left the lights on. Thought I just needed a jump but the battery wouldn't charge. Took it to auto zone and they said it wouldn't hold a charge. Got a new battery, installed it. After truck wouldn't start I found the solution (on this forum!) of turning ignition to ON and holding down the little blinking red light. So truck started up. HOWEVER, now the instrument panel lights seem to be out, the fans, radio, power windows and locks won't work.

(So the problem of having an aftermarket radio and possibly not be able to enter the code to make it work haven't even been tested yet. sheesh.)

Also, it doesn't accelerate like normal, seems to be lacking power.

We've been checking the fuses/relays and found one that was broke (interior box, heater 10) and that didn't really change anything but fixed it while we saw it.


I am not knowledgeable about mechanics at all but I can follow instructions.
Open to all ideas. Thanks in advance for your time!

 

wow. 1998. Buy an earlier vehicle next time.
Sounds like its in lockdown mode. Beggared if i know how to fix it, its electrickery. Push the thing in a lake, get insurance, and buy an 80s wagon.

 

What you are going to need here is the shop manual and the schematics to follow and resolve the problem. Sometimes there are two fuses .. one inline and one in the fuse box depending on the situation. The main fuse usually by the battery somewhere and one in the box. So I would get the shop manual as you will need it soon with that vehicle..good luck dude.

 

Having very same problem with my 2000 Montero. Did you ever find the problem. Thanks

 

Had the same issue with an 09 outlander, Dead AC, head unit, central locking, power outlets, random engine lights before the cutout as well.
Auto electrician found a blown fusible link and faulty alternator which was the root cause. ECU doesn't like flakey voltage.