redtruck91

Hi folks,
First time posting. I just got a 1991 v6 4x4 a few weeks ago. When the battery is ever so slightly down it just clicks instead of turning over slow. Starter was replaced shortly before I got the truck. I thought perhaps it was suffering from the poor starter relay wiring I have read about. My understanding was that the '91 v6 automatics did not have a starter relay, but the manual transmission did. My truck is a manual but I cannot find a starter relay anywhere. Can anyone verify whether a 1991 4x4 v6 does or doesn't have a starter relay? And if so where it's located?

Thanks!

scope103

I don't know the answer to your specific question, but the manual for the '93 http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b.../2powersou.pdf shows the starter relay in Relay Block 2. Did you rule that out?

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

The 92 has the starter relay in the fuse block in the engine Compartment


Why is your battery not holding a charge??

Do you have a charging system problem causing the no crank problem??

A poor ground connection will do this as well.

Have yours ever been up graded ??

Of course it is possible you have a poor rebuilt starter causing your problems

This is a Toyota who knows what might have been removed or added.

Are there wire nuts on your engine harness lots of butt splices ??

redtruck91

Already looked in there. My relay block looks a bit different. Don't see a starter relay in there.Thanks for the link though!

My relay block and immediate area:

redtruck91

Oh, could it be AM1 or AM2? What does AM mean?

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

That is weird 91 must be a change over year.

The 88 has the relay outside the fuse block.

I don`t have the 91 EWD

redtruck91

Hmm. When I try to search parts stores online I don't find any listings for a starter relay for my model of truck. Maybe they stopped using them? But what then, is it just wired straight to the solenoid old school style? Perplexing. I tried tracing the wires from the starter, everything has plastic sleeves on it but I didn't see anything relay like.

The battery only very marginally runs down I think. Such that the headlights, fans, interior lights, stereo, etc. all still seem to power up fine. And if you let the truck sit overnight it will start right up. Or if you pop the clutch and drive it for even 5 minutes with the heater fan off it will charge back up enough to start on its own. But if it runs down slightly it won't even attempt to turn the engine over at all.

Xinorok

My 90 4Runner 3VZE had the same issue until I rewired it. Relay was with the fuses in the left hand kick panel.

redtruck91

The cover for my interior fuse block is missing so I don't have a definite diagram for that one. Wouldn't expect the starter relay to be inside but I guess it must be. There is a relay or two of some sort in the upper right hand corner but all I can find online for the '91 is a diagram that weirdly says one relay is "starter or backup lights." Guess I'll try pulling it while the battery is up and see which one it is. Though if it is backup lights I don't know what I'm going to do... You know you've got problems when a diagram can't even make up its mind.

At least I've got something to investigate, though, thanks!

redtruck91

I can verify the starter relay on my '91 is on the interior driver side fuse block. Sort of separate from it but attached, furthest to the front of the vehicle and at the very top. Hiding, basically, behind the tail light relay. I may try to talk my mechanic into doing the rewiring if he verifies that's an issue. I got the fuse block off but there is only about an inch of wire to work with and I can barely reach it. I'll get him to test the alternator while he's at it. Thanks folks.

ksti

Your battery sounds like the culprit to me.
Have you checked for proper voltage?
Done a load test?
Ever so slightly down sounds vague.
I would make sure it's not the battery before I re-wire anything.

SacRunner

I'll confirm that for you. I have the full FSM/EWD for my 91 4Runner and yes, the v6 M/T models do use a starter relay, and it is located in spot 'A' of Junction Box No. 1 (which you posted above).

Sorry, but no real advice for your issue, but wanted to confirm the starter relay location.

RAD4Runner

Definitely check your connections- power and ground. Make sure shiny bare metal contacts shiny bare metal.

How good is your battery?
With ignition in ON but engine OFF:
What's voltage at battery POST? POST not connector.
What's voltage at fuse block? At connector?

Turn highbeams on, AC full blast, Radio full-blast.
What's voltage at battery POST? POST not connector.
What's voltage at fuse block? At connector?

Does the starter relay in post above click when you put in start position?

This Special Service Tool will help you diagnose if starter motor, starter solenoid are good.

If someone could post schematic of starting circuit, then we can check IF it is wired properly.

Rbloxham62

I have the same issue with a 91 toy with the v6 and automatic transmission (2 wheel drive); I thought the starter relay was one of the 2 relays on the drivers side, however, I checked or replaced both relays and discovered (after pulling both out) that the truck “still started” even without these relays being in? Therefore, I am perplexed as to where the “starter relay” is actually located. Like you, I also checked the box under the hood and it’s not there either. Any ideas?
My truck always starts when it is cold, but after you run it for 20 minutes and then turn it off, it won’t crank for about an hour or so until it cools down. I checked the current and there is no voltage getting to the safety switch when this happens. Already replaced the battery, starter, fuses and every relay I could find - during me nuts!