1998 Taco: No Start

rowdy235 · 01-18-2012, 04:37 PM

1998 Tacoma 2.7L 235xxx

I have had intermittent problems with the terminals before, but replaced those about a month ago and have been problem free.

So I was up in the snow today, and killed it. Wouldn't start no how no way. Managed to get it roll started and home. When you turn the key, the radio shuts off and the brake light comes on, with a click. No starting at all, battery is good, both terminals clean and tight.

Now I was thinking starter contacts, but I don't really hear the solenoid clicking. Mainly I just hear what sounds like a relay clicking (it almost sounds like its in the cab). I pulled the starter relay and swapped it and same result.

Could this be the contacts? I've never known them to stop working all of a sudden but I guess anythings possible.

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

rworegon · 01-18-2012, 04:49 PM

Sounds like contacts to me. Mine pretty much just suddenly went from ok to firing about 1 out of every 10 trys.

Did you happen to get moisture someplace it's not supposed to be? A chunk of snow pull a wire or connector loose someplace down low?

rowdy235 · 01-18-2012, 04:56 PM

Its been drying out for a couple hours, nothing yet. I can't very well see the "trip" wire for the solenoid but the big wire is nice and tight and clean. The starter is almost directly above the front diff so its unlikely anything got up in there. I have a feeling I'm going to be pulling the starter very soon.

rworegon · 01-18-2012, 05:10 PM

Fuses are all ok?

rowdy235 · 01-18-2012, 05:39 PM

Will check them, which ones should I check? Engine? ECM? All the lights are working normally and it runs fine when I pop start it so I doubt its fuses.

scuba · 01-18-2012, 05:58 PM

Starter contacts and plunger.

Just my 2 cents.

rowdy235 · 01-18-2012, 06:07 PM

What could be wrong with the plunger and how would I fix it?

rworegon · 01-18-2012, 06:30 PM

This write-up is for a 3.4l starter, but the guts of yours will be very similar.
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/3rd-gen-3...-heavy-105098/

and another pictorial using a 22re starter:
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/starter...ct-fix-193101/

rowdy235 · 01-18-2012, 07:53 PM

I redid the contacts in my 82 starter, really straightforward.

What a PITA getting that starter out. One bolt from top, one bolt from bottom, no room to work on either side lol. My 82 you could get to both bolts through the wheel well, not so on the 98, mainly because the steering is in the way.

rworegon is the winner on the problem. I don't know if something hit it or not (it is actually my guess it was heat-cracked), but the attachment for the trip wire to the solenoid broke off. I noticed in when I couldn't find where it attached to lol.

Getting a new one from napa in the am

rowdy235 · 01-19-2012, 08:34 AM

New unit installed and its starting like new

rworegon · 01-19-2012, 03:18 PM

Glad you're back on the road.

01-18-2012, 04:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
rworegon Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon...east side Posts: 1,230	Sounds like contacts to me. Mine pretty much just suddenly went from ok to firing about 1 out of every 10 trys. Did you happen to get moisture someplace it's not supposed to be? A chunk of snow pull a wire or connector loose someplace down low? __________________ 95.5 Tacoma 3.4L Auto FSMs TSBs P/N & diagrams (source for OEM on east coast) PNW OEM Parts source - Titus-Will, Tacoma, WA

01-18-2012, 04:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
rowdy235 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweet Home, OR Posts: 1,673	Its been drying out for a couple hours, nothing yet. I can't very well see the "trip" wire for the solenoid but the big wire is nice and tight and clean. The starter is almost directly above the front diff so its unlikely anything got up in there. I have a feeling I'm going to be pulling the starter very soon. __________________ 1998 Tacoma 4wd \| 2.7L \| 5-speed \| Pioneer Head Unit \| Toyo A/T 35% Tread- Fun Rig I try not to break/DD 1994 Mercury Sable LS \| 3.8L V6 \| Slush Box \| FoMoCo Factory Stereo \| 2 Toyo's 2 Zexius Less than 20% tread-People Hauler Subscribe & Check Out My Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/rowdy235

01-18-2012, 05:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
rworegon Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon...east side Posts: 1,230	Fuses are all ok? __________________ 95.5 Tacoma 3.4L Auto FSMs TSBs P/N & diagrams (source for OEM on east coast) PNW OEM Parts source - Titus-Will, Tacoma, WA

01-18-2012, 05:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
rowdy235 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweet Home, OR Posts: 1,673	Will check them, which ones should I check? Engine? ECM? All the lights are working normally and it runs fine when I pop start it so I doubt its fuses. __________________ 1998 Tacoma 4wd \| 2.7L \| 5-speed \| Pioneer Head Unit \| Toyo A/T 35% Tread- Fun Rig I try not to break/DD 1994 Mercury Sable LS \| 3.8L V6 \| Slush Box \| FoMoCo Factory Stereo \| 2 Toyo's 2 Zexius Less than 20% tread-People Hauler Subscribe & Check Out My Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/rowdy235

01-18-2012, 05:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: On the rocks, near Temecula, Socal Posts: 10,781	Starter contacts and plunger. Just my 2 cents. __________________ SHUT UP AND WHEEL. My 99 Tacoma Single Cab build. Now representing All-Pro Off-Road. Call us for all your suspension and armor needs. 951-658-7077

01-18-2012, 06:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
rowdy235 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweet Home, OR Posts: 1,673	What could be wrong with the plunger and how would I fix it? __________________ 1998 Tacoma 4wd \| 2.7L \| 5-speed \| Pioneer Head Unit \| Toyo A/T 35% Tread- Fun Rig I try not to break/DD 1994 Mercury Sable LS \| 3.8L V6 \| Slush Box \| FoMoCo Factory Stereo \| 2 Toyo's 2 Zexius Less than 20% tread-People Hauler Subscribe & Check Out My Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/rowdy235

01-18-2012, 06:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
rworegon Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon...east side Posts: 1,230	This write-up is for a 3.4l starter, but the guts of yours will be very similar. http://www.yotatech.com/f2/3rd-gen-3...-heavy-105098/ and another pictorial using a 22re starter: http://www.yotatech.com/f116/starter...ct-fix-193101/ __________________ 95.5 Tacoma 3.4L Auto FSMs TSBs P/N & diagrams (source for OEM on east coast) PNW OEM Parts source - Titus-Will, Tacoma, WA Last edited by rworegon; 01-18-2012 at 06:39 PM.

01-18-2012, 07:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
rowdy235 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweet Home, OR Posts: 1,673	I redid the contacts in my 82 starter, really straightforward. What a PITA getting that starter out. One bolt from top, one bolt from bottom, no room to work on either side lol. My 82 you could get to both bolts through the wheel well, not so on the 98, mainly because the steering is in the way. rworegon is the winner on the problem. I don't know if something hit it or not (it is actually my guess it was heat-cracked), but the attachment for the trip wire to the solenoid broke off. I noticed in when I couldn't find where it attached to lol. Getting a new one from napa in the am __________________ 1998 Tacoma 4wd \| 2.7L \| 5-speed \| Pioneer Head Unit \| Toyo A/T 35% Tread- Fun Rig I try not to break/DD 1994 Mercury Sable LS \| 3.8L V6 \| Slush Box \| FoMoCo Factory Stereo \| 2 Toyo's 2 Zexius Less than 20% tread-People Hauler Subscribe & Check Out My Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/rowdy235 Last edited by rowdy235; 01-18-2012 at 07:55 PM.

01-19-2012, 08:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
rowdy235 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sweet Home, OR Posts: 1,673	New unit installed and its starting like new __________________ 1998 Tacoma 4wd \| 2.7L \| 5-speed \| Pioneer Head Unit \| Toyo A/T 35% Tread- Fun Rig I try not to break/DD 1994 Mercury Sable LS \| 3.8L V6 \| Slush Box \| FoMoCo Factory Stereo \| 2 Toyo's 2 Zexius Less than 20% tread-People Hauler Subscribe & Check Out My Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/rowdy235

01-19-2012, 03:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
rworegon Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon...east side Posts: 1,230	Glad you're back on the road. __________________ 95.5 Tacoma 3.4L Auto FSMs TSBs P/N & diagrams (source for OEM on east coast) PNW OEM Parts source - Titus-Will, Tacoma, WA

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-19-2012, 03:18 PM
Yotatech 4WD Truck Paid Advertisement