billkmiami

My 97 4 runner has a starter issue- with the key off and out of the truck, the starter runs without stopping- I pulled the Napa starter off and had it tested and it worked fine- can it be the key switch or the fuse solenoid under the hood in the fuse box near the battery? What do I need to replace? battery is fully charged as well. My Haynes manual tells me how to test the key switch but they show eight terminals and my 97 4runner has only six terminals- Help!!

rworegon

From another thread 4Crawler said:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...inning-227437/

Might be the solenoid contacts are worn or there is too much dirt/grease inside the solenoid bore and causing it to stick on:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...l#Introduction

Or it may need some lube on the bendix drive gear or there may be a relay sticking on and keeping power to the starter solenoid:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest

4Crawler gives great advice on starter issues.

billkmiami

Since this truck is 2 wheel drive only- the fuse panel under the hood is spotless- local Advanced auto parts recommends a new key tumbler- since they have this in stock, I am assuming this is a part that does fail every so often- truck has 170K miles on it so this could be the cause? Any more suggestions?

bobben

Remove the start wire, and if the starter motor still runs. Recheck your hot wire hookup, make sure the wire isn't turned so that it touches the main motor terminal. I'm assuming you had the starter tested at the auto parts store. If, when you pulled the start wire off the starter, it stopped running replace the ignition switch.

billkmiami

Starter tested fine at the local auto parts store- the key tumbler seems to be fine- it is mechanical- when the key is in the tumbler- it turns fine- when I pulled the tumbler out, it turns a device behind the tumbler- assume this is the part to replace? the tumbler when removed with the key in turns perfect- assume it is the part behind the tumbler as mentioned??

4Tard

My starter did this right after I bought my 4Runner with 149K. The contacts in the solenoid had welded themselves together.

Unfortunately, you can't really rebuild a starter with the $20 contact kit once this happens. I did, and it failed off road about 4 months later. All that strain on the drive gear caused it to grenade inside the bell housing when I went to start the engine.

Get yourself a new starter and the problem will be solved.

Don't trust some retard at an auto parts store putting your electrical component on a mysterious universal tester. I turn my ears off whenever I walk in to Autozone.

nv4runner

Find the starter relay in the under hood fuse box and pull that out. If the starter still runs without that relay, then your problem is with the wiring from that fuse box to the starter or the starter itself. If that doesn't solve your problem, then try a new relay. If new relay doesn't solve the problem then you should look into the wires or ignition switch.

bassbro1

My starter did this exact same thing. I took it in and tested it and it checked out fine. I went ahead and bought a new one and it doesn't do it any more. I'm thinking that even though a test checks out, it won't always tell you if something internal is wrong with contacts getting fused together. Take it apart:
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/starter/

billkmiami

When Advanced tested the starter they sent a 12 volt charge to it and it worked fine- Installed in my truck, the starter will not turn off so when the key is turned off and removed the starter will continuously run and not stop so it has to be something related to the signal going to the starter to engauge- I am leaning towards the ignition switch which is behind the key tumbler- I tested the starter relay under the hood by hooking up a 12 volt battery to it and hearing the click when the relay is energized- Thanks to all for your suggestions- I will try the ignition switch and let everyone know!

billkmiami

Replaced the ignition switch which is behind the key tumbler- this worked- all electrical issues are solved .........except the hazards will not work but the turn signals still work. When I push the hazard button the turn signal, if on, will stop working- any suggestions?