1987 4runner with a 22re and 5 speed. Had a no crank, no start problem when I bought it. Previous owner had an automotive 40 amp relay in place of the original starter relay, but it wasn't wired correctly. I wired it up and it fired right up. I've been slowly working on this rig whenever I have time and it's always fired right up. Now, it won't crank over. Just like what it was doing when I acquired it about a month ago. I found factory starter relay and wired it in according to how I've seen it on this forum. Still nothing. New battery, alternator, and starter. I've redone the grounds. I tested the battery cable going to starter and it's at 12.8 volts, the smaller wire that connects to the starter isn't reading any volts, earlier today it was reading .002 volts on my multimeter but now it's at 0. I'm not good at electrical stuff so I need some help....thanks in advance for any suggestions, tips or advice.

 

The smaller wire that goes to the starter turns the starter "on." It's controlled by the starter relay. So if you disconnect that wire, and measure its voltage to ground, it should jump to battery voltage (~12v) when you turn the key to start.

Presumably, you're not getting that voltage change. You should be able to hear the starter relay closing with key-to-start. If not, before you mess with the relay, make sure you get ~12v to the relay from the ignition switch (the factory color is, unfortunately, Black, with W-B to ground on the other side of the relay coil, but colors probably won't help you if there's been rewiring.)

Saying "I'm not good at electrical stuff" is like saying "I'm not good at math and stuff." You're not born knowing it, you have to learn it. At least if you want to work on cars and trucks. So dig in!

 

I did disconnect the the smaller wire on the starter, didn't have anywhere close to 12 volts on that wire while my wife turned the key. The only rewiring that has been done was at the connector for the starter relay. Previous owner was trying to fix it I guess. I did have it starting and running real good, I ran a wire directly from battery to the black wire on the plug for the starter relay, I think the guys name is rad4runner or something like that, that's where I got the info on how to do it. It was working fine until today. I also stripped the tape/loom off the harness that goes under the intake and tested the wires there, and just like the small wire going to the starter, no voltage. So I'm assuming the issue is between there and the contacts at the ignition switch?

Edit: I forgot to mention, the starter relay DOES NOT click, I've tried the factory relay and also 2 aftermarket automotive style relays, one of which was being used and worked fine until today. Only clicking I hear is from the circuit opening relay in the passenger kick panel area.

 

Update: I checked the connections at the ignition switch, st1 is reading battery voltage when the key is turned to start, I checked where its soldered to the switch and also again a little way down the steering column where the plug is. I did notice I can move the wire around where it's soldered on but I don't think it's what is causing my issue. I stripped the loom back in the engine bay and didn't find any broken wires, I also took the dash apart and started opening the loom but I can't seem to find the wires I need.

 

Still haven't figured it out. Starter relay doesn't click when turning the key, haven't found any broken or loose connections. I did bypass the clutch switch at the pedal to eliminate that as a possibility.

 

I’ve heard you can use an old Ford Bronco relay on these Toyotas. I have put them on other cars. I use the 79 Bronco relay. It has an extra terminal that supplies 12v at the same time as the one switching the battery cable so you can shoot full 12v to the coil just when starting the engine.
They don’t cost much. And they mount anywhere