I am stumped, I got nothing I need help and yes I have searched.

88 3.0 manual Click but no start. It starts up every morning and I take it to the hills to run with my dog, an hour later when I get back it will click but not start, so I push start it down the hill and its good to go, then I get home turn it off and an then try again and nothing. So I try to push start it and just by rocking it back and forth it magically wants to start now. So where do I start? Is there a relay? a safety switch? Help me please, because its all good if I plan it ahead of time and park where I can just roll down, but I haven't stalled yet, and I know it will happen. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

Check the plunger inside of the starter solenoid (take the three bolts off of the back of the starter to gain access). The contacts can get corroded causing excessive resistance between the plunger (The moving part that clicks) and the starter contacts. Also check all your cables for corrosion and make sure your grounds are good and clean. Check the cable that comes from the relay box to the positive terminal.

 

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest

 

Easiest would be next time it does it tap on starter a good tap with a hammer then try starting it. Most likely it will and you need a starter.

 

Or you could try cleaning the contacts on the plunger inside the starter, that is what always goes bad on Toyota starters from this era. There has been many times customers have brought in starters to me that just needed a steel wire brush in order to work like new again. Save yourself the $$ and pull the three screws off of the back of the starter and clean the plunger and solenoid contacts.

 

Its usually the half moon side that wears out. Just replace the contact. Most of the time it gets to the point of failing, its so thin compared to the squared side that you'll be pulling it apart soon.