Turn key.... but engine won't turn over ...sometimes!

FLArunner · 10-16-2006, 04:52 PM

Sometimes she starts, and stalls immediately after start-up. Other times, I turn the key and the dashboard lights up, but the engine doesn't crank at all. Usually, when she's cold. Oher times, she's fine. No codes showing up when the computer was hooked up. New timing belt recently. Any help is appreciated. A mechanic, I ain't. But if I follow the Hanes manual, I can do most jobs.

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rdharper · 10-16-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLArunner

Sometimes she starts, and stalls immediately after start-up. Other times, I turn the key and the dashboard lights up, but the engine doesn't crank at all. Usually, when she's cold. Oher times, she's fine. No codes showing up when the computer was hooked up. New timing belt recently. Any help is appreciated. A mechanic, I ain't. But if I follow the Hanes manual, I can do most jobs.

Bad contact somewhere. Can be mechanical or electrical. Ignition switch, starter relay, ring gear with a bad tooth or two.

If you hear nothing when it does not start, meaning no cranking, and no click (the starter relay), then it may be the ignition switch or the starter relay. If you hear a click, but no cranking, I'd suspect the starter motor, assuming the battery is ok.

FLArunner · 10-16-2006, 05:23 PM

I tested the batt., and it was good. Turn the key, and no clicking or turn-over whatsoever. I'll look further into your suggestions - thanks for your help.

lowmaintenance · 10-18-2006, 06:22 PM

FLArunner, I actually just had the same issue with mine.
I changed the batt and all of that and ended up having to change the starter.
I got it back from the shop a few hours ago and it seems as though I'm still having issues....

Now the engine seems like it is about to stahl and I need to gas it so that it doesn't. Also, the exhaust is kicking out some smoke and is more odoriforus than normal

Any suggestions from anyone?

lee · 10-18-2006, 06:47 PM

i am having this issue, but it always eventually turns over. only hasnt started up twice, and both of those times it started on the 3rd try

im gonna put in a new starter, though its likely the contacts

lowmaintenance · 10-18-2006, 06:50 PM

My problems started right after replacing the timing belt/ waterpump. Just like you lee, it would eventually turn over after a few tries but then one day...she only gave me a click, nothing else.

fireteacher · 10-18-2006, 07:08 PM

start cheaply with the starter contacts. no real need to buy a new one, i made that mistake. search around the forum, there is a write up somewhere.

heres a good write up for it
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/starter/

kev · 10-14-2008, 10:01 AM

connections between batt. and starter (check for loose / corroded wires) Also check Batt. ground. Kev

Island4Runner · 06-14-2009, 09:42 AM

im having this problem too...got power but it wont turn at all.

ETRNL · 06-14-2009, 11:00 AM

wow i thought i was the only one having this problem... everytime i turn my key though i hear a click, so i know it is the starter contacts. i already have new ones just waiting on time to tear it down.. local alt/starter shop had the contacts for $5 a set so $10 dollars and she will start everytime again!

Hoopster · 08-23-2010, 05:27 AM

My 4runner has just developed a similar problem. It has a fairly new battery and I also tried cleaning the terminals and chassis ground.

I don't think I'm getting a click when turning the key (I'll have to check when I get home) although the dash lights do light up.
It will eventually start but sometimes requires quite a few tries.

Does this sound like a starter relay or starter contacts?

4Crawler · 08-23-2010, 08:53 AM

Easy way to check out what the problem may be:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest

Hoopster · 08-23-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Crawler

Easy way to check out what the problem may be:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest

Thanks for the link. I think I ran across it early and it seems to be one of the better places to start. I guess I'll get out the multimeter and start digging around this evening.

Rhyno · 07-10-2012, 05:45 PM

I know this thread is way old, but it is one of the first ones that comes up when searching for answers to this issue. I had the same thing, once in a while it would turn over, i thought it was the battery. Jump started no problem. lights worked, and i had the starter click, but no turn over. I thought for sure it was a starter issue, but just to be safe i cleaned the wires first that connect to the battery terminals. Amazingly, just a little bit of crud that has built up was the issue. A little bit of sandpaper and i am back to immediate crank and start. Start there before tackleing more expensive/difficult issues.

sunshine · 11-15-2012, 09:33 AM

wow same problem for me,too. cleaned battery terminal 4 runner started fine for a couple of days. Just went to start and nothing. I get the lights and the clicks, what's going on?

4Crawler · 11-15-2012, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshine

wow same problem for me,too. cleaned battery terminal 4 runner started fine for a couple of days. Just went to start and nothing. I get the lights and the clicks, what's going on?

Could be the starter solenoid contacts or starter relay (if you have one). Easy test to find out which:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest

10-16-2006, 05:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
FLArunner Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	Thanks, Rich. I tested the batt., and it was good. Turn the key, and no clicking or turn-over whatsoever. I'll look further into your suggestions - thanks for your help.

10-18-2006, 07:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
fireteacher Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 1,718	start cheaply with the starter contacts. no real need to buy a new one, i made that mistake. search around the forum, there is a write up somewhere. heres a good write up for it http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/starter/ __________________ Shaun 99 limited 4runner 3.4L MODS: TJM-17/Sonoran shackle hangers/driving lights - DIFF Breather - Sliders - Cobra 19 ULTRA III cb and 3ft. Wilson ant - 265/75/16 Definity Dakota A/T - "SATOSHI MOD" - All Weather Mats - Locker Mod - Fog Light Mod - Vortex Classic Muffler My profile http://yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=96117

06-14-2009, 11:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
ETRNL Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clackamas, OR Posts: 461	wow i thought i was the only one having this problem... everytime i turn my key though i hear a click, so i know it is the starter contacts. i already have new ones just waiting on time to tear it down.. local alt/starter shop had the contacts for $5 a set so $10 dollars and she will start everytime again! __________________ 2001 4Runner LTD, ISR/deckplate/ECT mod, 90w/130w Hella headlights, 12g headlight wire harness, Satoshi, Hood Emblem, fog light mod, constant power mod, big 3 mod, NO DRLs, Remote start with ~1 mile range, Toytech OMERun-3 3" lift, 285/75/16 Toyo ATs. True Flow air filter, Aux reverse lights my favorite video

08-23-2010, 05:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
Hoopster Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kentucky Posts: 250	My 4runner has just developed a similar problem. It has a fairly new battery and I also tried cleaning the terminals and chassis ground. I don't think I'm getting a click when turning the key (I'll have to check when I get home) although the dash lights do light up. It will eventually start but sometimes requires quite a few tries. Does this sound like a starter relay or starter contacts? Last edited by Hoopster; 08-23-2010 at 05:40 AM.

08-23-2010, 08:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (2) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 10,671	Easy way to check out what the problem may be: - http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad - YotaTech discount code Gettin'Off 4WD Club

10-18-2006, 06:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
lowmaintenance Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 5	FLArunner, I actually just had the same issue with mine. I changed the batt and all of that and ended up having to change the starter. I got it back from the shop a few hours ago and it seems as though I'm still having issues.... Now the engine seems like it is about to stahl and I need to gas it so that it doesn't. Also, the exhaust is kicking out some smoke and is more odoriforus than normal Any suggestions from anyone?

10-18-2006, 06:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,731	i am having this issue, but it always eventually turns over. only hasnt started up twice, and both of those times it started on the 3rd try im gonna put in a new starter, though its likely the contacts

10-18-2006, 06:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
lowmaintenance Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 5	My problems started right after replacing the timing belt/ waterpump. Just like you lee, it would eventually turn over after a few tries but then one day...she only gave me a click, nothing else.

10-14-2008, 10:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
kev Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 92	connections between batt. and starter (check for loose / corroded wires) Also check Batt. ground. Kev

06-14-2009, 09:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Island4Runner Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C. Posts: 1	im having this problem too...got power but it wont turn at all.

07-10-2012, 05:45 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rhyno Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 24	I know this thread is way old, but it is one of the first ones that comes up when searching for answers to this issue. I had the same thing, once in a while it would turn over, i thought it was the battery. Jump started no problem. lights worked, and i had the starter click, but no turn over. I thought for sure it was a starter issue, but just to be safe i cleaned the wires first that connect to the battery terminals. Amazingly, just a little bit of crud that has built up was the issue. A little bit of sandpaper and i am back to immediate crank and start. Start there before tackleing more expensive/difficult issues.

11-15-2012, 09:33 AM	#15 (permalink)
sunshine Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1	wow same problem for me,too. cleaned battery terminal 4 runner started fine for a couple of days. Just went to start and nothing. I get the lights and the clicks, what's going on?

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11-15-2012, 09:39 AM
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