NRM

I've got a '95 3.0 V6 4runner that just had the headgaskets replaced last winter and a bunch of other work done. It's been running strong and I've got a new Optima Yellowtop battery that I know is good. Earlier this week it was brutally cold (-10 deg F overnight) and when I came out to start it up in the morning it started but then sputtered out and died. When I tried to start it again it just clicks, doesn't even try to turn over. I tried again today and it's much warmer (46 deg) and still nothing. Any idea what else this could be?
Thanks in advance!

zrxer

mAKE sure your battery is fully charged . then i would suspect the starter

NRM

My battery is definitely good and my next thought was the starter but it just seems weird that it started up ran for about 25 seconds then died and wouldn't start again. But I'm still gonna check out the starter

Matt90V6SR5

Optima has had problems with quality.Thats why I chose a Diehard Platnum winter battery.

zach@sparkplugs.com

Doesn't sound like a starter issue, but if you need a new one we've got new Denso starters in stock for your runner.
Use the code YTECH10 for 10% off your order

MuddfreaksOffroad

well if it started and ran for 25 seconds then died and wont start its etiher the starter or if not hte starter your alternator. but it should run if your alternator is out for a lil while until your battery is dead so its prob your starter. CHECK ALL THE WIRES TO THE STARTER. i was wheeling my lil toyota one time hit a lil rut hard and it knocked out a little wire and it wouldnt start took me 35 mins to figure out that it was that ONE LIL damn wire! lol

yada21

could be starter solenoid. its not the alt and the cold tends to drain batts but it woulnt start and die because the batt is dead. it sounds like a loose connection or your solenoid.

NRM

so update on my situation...messed around with it again today and had my roommate try starting it while i was checking things under the hood and while in reverse it started trying to turn over, but it wouldn't while in park. We got it rolled into the garage and tried starting it again and it finally caught and started running but was running really poorly. I then realize that there's a small puddle of oil on the ground already! So short of it is that my left headgasket has completely failed so now it seems like I have two separate issues. I just had my headgaskets done by a supposedly reputable shop last christmas and I am exactly 1 week out of the 1 year warranty they gave me on the work. Regardless I'm calling them first thing monday morning.
I'm still a little confused about this whole thing of it starting while in reverse/and or neutral but not while in park. Seems like I might have some sort of electrical problem going on too. Has anyone else had this kind of issue?

rangerruck

could be ignitor/ignitor coil, or wires going to it, could be there is a neutral start switch also; but I am also leaning toward something knocked loose on the starter, or some starter solenoid, or starter itself. I am having a very similar prob right now, and mine only occured after I had a shop do some 4 wheel parts addition. two of those parts, are right near the starter.