sysuleman

My 1999 TL was stolen and recovered the next day - essentially it was gone for the night. Car wouldn't start at the impound lot that it was towed to because the ECM was disconnected - all 4 harnesses were detached. I've never fiddled with that part of the car before so I got 3 of them back in and was able to start the car and limp 1.7 miles home in safe mode or whatever. Transmission seemed to be stuck in 4th gear so acceleration was crap and the SRS, TCS and CEL lights were on and D4 was blinking. I should've spent a few extra minutes and gotten the 4th wiring harness plugged in but I just wanted to get the hell out of the impound lot and get the car home. Plus I didn't have a flashlight to see what I was doing.

Anyhow, got the car home and got the 4th harness (closest to front of car) plugged in and was able to drive the car normally (D4 stopped blinking and transmission was shifting so acceleration was restored).

I read the codes and got the following P0753, P1676, P1768. Figured these were tripped when the computer was unplugged so I reset by pulling clock fuse. That got the CEL light off. Next steps are to follow the SRS reset procedure and TCS reset procedure and see if they anything comes back.

I assume the car thieves used some device to bypass the computer and therefore get the car started since the ignition switch showed no signs of tampering.

So here's the thing. Is something missing from my car??? There's a wiring harness that's just sort of hanging and I can't figure out where it goes. I've attached a picture of the view from the passenger side foot well. Please help.

ErickUa5

Looks like the connector for the Cooling fan module.
Do the cooling fans come on at all ?

sysuleman

Thanks for your prompt response. Not sure. Let me test drive with the A/C on and see if the temp gauge goes beyond 1/3.

ErickUa5

You shouldnt have to do that, just press the AC button and check under the hood for the fans.

Oh Sickest TL

iTrader: (3)

man what the fuck did they do to your car??? thats wild

sysuleman

Quick update:
I figured out where that wire goes. On the driver's side of the ECM there was an empty socket. Fished that harness from the passenger side to the driver's side and it fit like a glove. Once I did that the TCS light went off.

On to the SRS:
Found the passenger side airbag wire was disconnected. Reconnected that after a bit of struggling although the SRS light is still on. Called it a night. Tomorrow will check the driver's side airbag connections and run the SRS reset procedure.

Now I have to figure out how to prevent these guys from stealing my car again since clearly they've got the upperhand still.

01tl4tl

If they want your car its gone!
Clearly someone has put the time into knowing the wiring harness

maybe the old school style lock that goes from brake pedal to floor under it- pretty hard to cut and must be removed to drive the car

I do not recommend the steering wheel style lock bar, as the thieves only have to cut the steering wheel
With the advent of 18volt small power saws = steering wheels are no match for the blade

Chojun

Just a quick question - what method did they use to get access to your car? You say they didn't mess with the ignition - if so, how did they shift out of park?

sysuleman

I have no idea. Is that a mechanical switch?

01tl4tl

it may have left where it was parked on a tow truck!
then they can play with wires to airbags they want to steal etc at a shop
no key required to tow it away, and defeats all anti theft devices on brakes or steering!

Like I said- they want it = its theirs!

thoiboi

Manual shift lever release?

sysuleman

That explains why the trim around the gear shift lever was popped out.

ErickUa5

Remember our J32 engines are gaining popularity for swaps, This looks like a failed attempt. Cant think of someone that would go through all that for a joy ride.

Chojun

that's good info - what are they swapping them into?

Americandream

Cant stand theivs, good luck with the car