Hey guys,
Picked up the 4Runner of my dreams about a week ago. Very happy to finally have it BUT there are things to always fix about older vehicles. Besides a knock sensor that I'll replace later this week, I have been having issues with intermittent starting. I'll run it 9/10 times and on that 10th time when I need it most it wont start (always at emissions too smh), just clicks. I've gotten wise to carry my jump starter with me and itll always start back up after being hooked up. The vehicle has a new starter and new battery and I've had them along with the alternator tested and they are all confirmed good. I replaced the distributor, spark plugs, and wires just to cover some bases as well as testing my batteries connections.
I've read through the forum and have read through RAD4Runners posts, they have been informational but unfortunately I'm pretty novice when it comes to working on cars. I don't know where to start when it comes to addressing this issue. I haven't seen any threads that deal with the 91 4Runner and given a thorough breakdown.
If any of ya'll have any advice and can point me in the right direction, anything would be appreciated. This is my first project car and I want to do it right.

 

The simplest place to start would be the starter relay addition/upgrade, was that the thread you read from RAD? Even if it’s not the issue it’s a must to do in my opinion and may be your solution. Most starter systems are pretty similar in older vehicles so some you tube searches on the subject may make you feel better tackling it. It’s a pretty simple set up once you dig in. Between RAD’s starter relay thread and some you tubing that should be all you need to get it done

 

Yeah I spent my down time at work going through his threads trying to narrow it down to my vehicle and engine type. I’ll go ahead and do just that. I did recently learn that knock sensors can be the cause to intermittent starting so I will change that out as soon as I get the part in and see if there’s any change in variables before moving on.

 

I added a starter relay to my 91 pickup as I was having the same issues, as quality parts are always my preferred I ordered a starter relay kit from painless wiring, it wasn’t that expensive and has everything pretty much ready to go. I try to stay away from cheap kits from Amazon that come with really cheap relays and crappy low end wires.

Since I added the kit I have never had an issue, it was the same thing, worked fine until it didn’t in a drive through, or at the bank ATM, or leaving for work

 

FYI here is the painless kit,

https://painlessperformance.com/prod...part-no-30202/

 

I did actually buy that same relay kit through JEGS performance just in case the knock sensor doesn’t solve the issue.
i am curious, how long did it do the trick for? Or was it just a different issue entirely?

 

My issue was specifically the factory relay starting system, it would just do nothing, I had power and dash lights etc , turn key to a whole lot of nothing. I would have to turn the key 5, 10, 15 times and it would finally start…. Is that what you meant by trick??

 

oh I see ok. That’s makes sense.
I was trying to confirm if the problem ever happened again as in the rewire did the trick.

 

Yes, I haven’t had any issues since the relay fix, again this may be your fix but if it’s not just have some confidence that you would have had to do it at some point anyway and it’s one less thing to worry about

 

Right on. I'll keep you posted, will give it a decent shot this weekend