rewind206

So a few months ago randomly I started having the clicking but not starting problem, usually after a few tries it would fire up. Most of the time it would fire up first try no problem. The other day I went out and could not get it to fire for the life of me. I realized it was very low on gas so I added some and eventually through repeated turning of the key and having to pump the gas I got it going.

It was fine for another couple weeks, had the problem maybe once but after a few "click" turns, it fired up.

Now it will not at all. I have done a lot of searching on this so I will let you know what i know for sure:

Battery and alternator are good.
Starter Relay is clicking and so is the starter when I turn the key.
There is plenty of gas in it.
All fuses are good and the wiring I see is fine.

I'm trying to figure out if it is a problem having to do with the fuel or if it is indeed a starter problem. Everyone has seemed to find a different solution to this and no one has mentioned the gas issue like mine seems to have. Note that it only needs me to pump the gas if it takes a long time to start. The times it fires right up it doesn't need gas at all.

Anyway I just lost my job and am trying to find work, it's my daily driver and I am a beginner mechanic at best. I hear any work on the starter is a huge pain because of where it is located, (I think I found it but am still not sure, but I hear the clicking coming from it when I try to start it, along with the click from the relay.)

Anyway, any ideas or suggestions would help. Keep in mind I'm pretty new but I have managed to fumble my way through repairs with help from you guys so I have some knowledge especially of my 90 yota (3VZ-E)

Thanks in advance guys =\

rworegon

Starter contacts are failing/failed. They can be replaced....no need to replace the entire starter.

rewind206

I have heard this, but doesn't this involve pulling the whole starter out? I tried reading up on it but it goes over my head once it gets techinical..

My other problem is where it is sitting is in a Condo parking lot where you are not allowed to work on vehicles.

rworegon

Yes, the starter need to come out, although, some have replace the contacts without pulling the starter.

With the condo limitations, it may be best to have your mechanic fix it.

rewind206

Yeah well I just checked and I do have roadside assistance so I can have it towed to a friend's house to work on it. I can't afford to spend anything really, but if I can accomplish getting it out and doing the contacts it is going to have to be on on my own, can't afford a mech.

I guess I was curious about the gas thing because no one else mentioned pumping the gas or anything. On the times it took quite a few tries before it started, I really had to pump the gas to get it to fire all the way up. I figured the problem might be with the gas somehow.

RAD4Runner

Concur with rworegon.

BTW, gas has absolutely nothing to do with cranking (starter motor turning), except of course if your drained your battery cranking starter to try to make it "VROOM!", when you actually had no gas

rewind206

Yeah I decided to do the fix, was on my way to get the extensions I needed and boom, head gasket went Anyway I'm working on finding a dealer that will honor the recall because toyota said it is still in effect.

Red Leader

Wow, bummer about the HG. There was a recent thread here about some guy having a bear of a time trying to find a dealer to honor the HG recall. Most were bs'ing their way out of it, so it might help to get some official documentation from Toyota, if that is even possible. Good luck!

scope103

Just so you know there was NO "headgasket recall." There was Technical Service Bulletin. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...l#post52174451 I have not heard of anyone getting a free headgasket in the last 5 years, so if you prevail by all means give us the details.

Red Leader

Good info, thanks for the correction.

rewind206

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...update-271575/ This guy had given me some hope but now it seems they are not doing it. However I did find some documentation from Toyota that says it will never expire, so basically if you contact Toyota and do enough kicking and screaming you can get it done. I'm going to start tomorrow because I have heard success stories from several people.

Here is the documentation which says they are committed to repairing EVERY single vehicle affected. http://www.brian894x4.com/V6headgasketrecall.html Start with Toyota rather than the dealer itself.

rewind206

http://www.brian894x4.com/V6headgasketrecall.html