Before you guys tell me to search please hear me out.

I have a 92 4runner v6 5speed with 220k on the clock. Earlier this year the 4runner had issues starting at first it was a loud click but starts but eventually it doesn't. After a little bit of research I found out it was the starter contacts and had the starter replaced with a new (not rebuild) unit.

it's been 3 months since my starter swap and today as I'm getting into my car and turn the key, i can only hear a very faint click and then nothing. No matter what i do it wouldn't start. I put a jumper on her and still nothing.

any guesses on what this may be? please tell me it's not the new Denso starter went bad.

thanks a bunch ahead of time.

 

check the small wire that goes down to the starter, make sure it's not loose and also test to see if your getting voltage there when turning the key.

the faint click you hear is most likely just the starter relay.

 

What is the appropriate voltage for the relay and how do you fix it if it's bad?

 

the relay is supposed to click, but that wire should have something like 11-12 volts when the key is in the start position. You might need two people to test the voltage on it.

 

Great, thanks for the feedback.

If for some reason I don't see 11 or 12, what are the next steps to fix it?

and without sounding like i'm going to rig things, if i was stuck, can i run a + lead from the battery to the relay spot and get the start to kick over? of course i won't be doing this if i'm not completely stuck in the woods.

 

I am not sure where the relay is on those but yes the spot for the wire on the starter if you attach that to the battery directly it will close the plunger (solenoid) allowing the battery cable to turn the starter motor. This is one way people hook up push button starters. I have never done it nor do I know how much actual amperage goes through that wire, but by the size of the wire, it can't be as much as the battery cables.

 

anyone else experience this issue?