hi i have a 91 4runner 22re 5speed and the last few months if it was cooler the truck wont just crank when u turn the key (cold truck) the lights would dime and the starter clicks but no crank. I figured i should check the battery so i cleaned the terminals and it was no different. If i rock the truck with it in 5th and use the clutch cancel it will normally fire right up. So i just dealt with it until last night i had to park in the wet grass and this morning the tires are froze i was not able to rock the truck my self so i can't get it to start i need to find the problem fast i Need my 4runner. About 2 years ago i had to replace the starter with a reman it already had a remain on it due to the po and when i did it i had no idea about rebuilding it at the time

Thank you
Tom

 

Have you had the battery tested?

 

it's it's less than a year old i get good voltage and last time they tested it it was fine about 5 months ago

 

most likely it is the starter again . . . I've never had good luck with any remans. In fact, I'm ready to pull mine again (it's like a yearly ritual for me) to clean the contacts even though it has a lifetime warranty.

check out 4crawler's page
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

 

here's the test - when it won't crank, have someone hold the key in the "start" position and tap on the starter with a hammer (I sometimes use a metal rod against the starter and tap on that to get in there) - if it starts cranking, it is the starter

 

thats such a classic move i did that to a humvee starter in kosovo. we stopped for a meat and greet with some town people and went to leave damn thing would start. pounded on it with a lug wrench. got us back to base.

 

ya i used to have to do that with the lawn mower havent tryed it on the truck yet

 

Check all of the connections, when it's cold it can make a difference. I had to snug the big one one the starter just a bit a few weeks ago when it started getting cold.

 

Starter Solenoid would be my guess (contacts). The above are all correct in diagnosing it (quick tap though, nothing fierce). At the dealer we did solenoids just about every day on all sorts of Toyotas - Runners included. To save a few bucks, you can get the contacts alone.

Toyota charged 1.5 hours to do the solenoid in most vehicles. The part was about $100. Much better off using a OEM Toyota starter and Solenoid than a remain.

 

ya i'm thinking solenoid now i tryed tapping on it to no avail

 

well i can get a reman for $60 with a lifetime warranty so i may just have to swap them out ever few years

 

I had this last winter as it started to get colder.I look up on the net and i found a good write up how to change the contacts.I was lucky and was able to get the same contacts from a shop where they rebuilding starters and electric motors.I changed only one side because the other side was still good.
Try to find that write up.It is very easy to do.If i will have time tomorrow i will post it here.

 

Ever get this fixed?
I'm having the same problem, it clicks but no crank. And after enough random times of hitting the ignition, it cranks.

 

Thats exactly what mine did in the summer of '07. Most likely it was just the contacts on mine, but I went ahead and bought a whole new starter for $145. I haven't had a problem since. so either replace the contacts or the whole starter itself.

 

ya mine was the starter i replaced it and blew the motor so it's sitting agian

 

if you have the option to park on hills they do wonders just hop in put it in reverse roll back a lil bit let out the clutch and it'll start right up just remember to watch out behind you lol

also with remans make sure you get one with a big meaty solenoid the lil ones are crap

 

I've been having sort of the same problem. For me though, the engine will crank but it won't turn over when its cold out (just replaced the battery). It will start fine if it gets warmer. No problem starting when its wet out. I've did some searches and looks to be related to the following:

1. Check cold start injector.
2. Check antifreeze.
3. Possible gas line freezing.

Anything else you guys think I should check?

 

my starter was the culprit