Just got a 1991 toyota 4runner V6 Auto 4x4.
Guy didn't know what was
wrong with it at all, if anything.
So I got it, had been sitting since april/may 09.
I put in a good battery and all the lights and everything work. EFI
makes the injection sound. All lights radio heater wipers horn
windows all that work.
I turn the key and there is just a little click. I dont know if it is
just the solenoid clicking, but the engine does not turn over at all,
doesn't really sound like the starter is engaging to the flywheel.
What might be my problem. I am pretty sure that it is the starter. How do I check for the voltage and what should that be reading?
Obviously want to start cheapest first.
Just looking for ideas and suggestions.

 

First try the search function on this forum. If you hear a click when you turn the key thats either the starter relay (if you have one) or the starter solenoid. Try hooking a lead directly from your battery pos. to the starter solenoid and see if she turns over. And make sure all of the grounds are firmly attached. Welcome to Yotatech.

 

I forgot to mention one thing. When I did try to start it with the new battery and nothing happened, The ground wire did get pretty hot. I don't know what would be causing that, maybe you do?

 

Excessive resistance in the wire. Could be a loose connection at the battery or the engine block, or corrosion in the cable. I have seen the battery cables so corroded inside the insulation that the wire was basically just white powder. You could bypass the negative cable by hooking up a jumper cable from the battery post to a metal point on the block (not the intake or heads) and try to start the truck.

 

same thing happened to my 95 just disconnect the battery and take off the main lead to the starter and clean the contact really well and should work for a bit but its a bad starter and your gonna have to replace it or rebuild it

 

My best guess would be worn starter contacts. Swap the contacts...make sure they stay flat when tightening them or they'll not contact the plunger correctly.

My 2 cents...

tom

 

Alright, I'll tackle all of those ideas tomorrow.

And I'll report back what I found out.