northernroot

Hey everyone, havnt been on in a while, havnt had any problems thank god, but now im running into some. When it started getting cooler my runner started starting funny dim lights but always started up, now its clicking the first time and then starting up. Is this just the battery, starter, alternator, can someone tell me what happens when each of these go bad and how a car acts when it happens. The reason I ask this is because today i was just cruising down the road and while just idling there was a noise coming from the front of the vehicle kind of just a medium pitch noise that would stop when i would start accelerating. Any help would be appreciated asap, because im in college and need my car to drive everyday. Thank you for your time

MTL_4runner

Sounds like you might have a bad battery that is taxing your alternator. You should get the entire charging system checked and load tested before it leaves you stranded somewhere. You should see about 12.3-12.4V min at the battery if the vehicle has been sitting any length of time and over 14V with the engine running at the battery. Just checking voltage is not a substitute for the load test but it can pinpoint a problem quickly. Post back the results and we can help you out.

Firefightertaco

get a new battery, and u can test the alt. by putting a screw driver in the middle of the alt pulley and if it pulls the screw driver like a magnet then its charging if its not pulling it its not charging.

northernroot

what could be making this noise then while i am driving

MTL_4runner

Alternator brushes or bearings, idler pulleys, any number of things.
It is very had to diagnose without actually having the vehicle in front of you and hearing it.

Buy yourself a cheap digital multimeter (Walmart, Sears, etc) and check the voltages as I mentioned.

Ironmike4x4

Take a long screwdriver and put the tip to the alternator casing but be careful of the belt. Put your ear to the screwdriver, in my case I can "feel" the noises, but if you can hear a whining or grinding then it's most likely the alternator.

northernroot

went and bought a battery and put it in it starts right up it only made that noise once, If it does it again ill keep yall informed

northernroot

to good to be true!! Hey guys having a problem with the 4runner again. Today I went and got some food and came out started it up and it was making that high pitch noise again. Me not knowing what was wrong with it I turned the car off. I pulled the key out and the car tried to start itself it didnt actually start all the way up but it began to. I got kinda scared and was near a toyota dealer so I went and asked them what it sounded like and they said it was the starter and that high pitch noise was normal when the starter is going bad. What do yall think about this? Where can I get a cheap new or reused starter. I know you can put them in yourself but how much time does this take and where can I find a writeup in doing so? Thank you for all your help.

cackalak han

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f131/starter-battery-100495/

Follow the links in the thread.

northernroot

thanks im going home wednesday from college and im gonna do all this then

northernroot

so is there anyway to take out the starter an easier way because looking at that the write up it looks pretty difficult.

northernroot

Someone please explain to me in steps how to remove the starter from a 96 limited 4x4 4runner. If you have any tricks in doing so it would be greatly appreicated.

cackalak han

There is a red lever right underneath the steering wheel. Push on that and the starter should drop right down.
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There is no easy way around it (so I've heard). I need to do this, as well, and I'm not looking forward to it.

northernroot

Alright thanks buddy