Ok..

My 4runner is having trouble getting started sometimes. Sometimes it will start on the first turn of the key, no problems! Other times when I go to turn the key, it just goes.. click. so I turn it again and again, only to get a click. Of course, It only does this in parking lots away from home.

I thought it was a battery, so I swapped it with one from my pickup, and I hadn't had a problem for about a week or so.

I don't think it's the alternator, because the volt meter on the dash is indicating a charge when the truck runs.

It just displayed this lil problem at the parking lot in wild oats just moments ago. We tried to jump it and it just made the click sound. It doesn't make that normal continual click like a starter though, just one click.

What do you guys think?

 

yes starter, if your lucky get someone to turn the key while you tap it.

 

yea its most likely worn out copper contacts in the starter that can be replaced for a couple of dollars

 

your starter contacts are gone.

 

excellente, I've heard the starter is a HUGE pain in the 3vze. Is this true?

 

tap nothing. i had to beat mine for it to work. finally made it home and changed it. mine went from working great to nothing.

 

www.4crawler.com
He has some starter info on his website

 

Not HUGE, but not that fun, there's a little access panel that helps a little. I tore mine apart recently to refurbish the contacts after experiencing just what you are. Only to find them in not too bad o' shape.

Ended up being my battery cables, more specifically the "+" cable connector for the battery terminal. I couldn't get the worn-out POS tight enough with the old stripped-out bolt that tightens it. Felt tight enough, but NOOOO, NOT SO!!!!

Had to replace that little bolt and hammer the lead connector back into shape so it'd grip that terminal better, make more surface contact.

Hey, at least I know how to rebuild my starter now!

 

Beat, I been doing this a long time, never beat one.

 

I had a slow crank that wouldnt spin fast enough to engage the flywheel. Long story short get those battery connections clean and tight before going after the starter.

 

Nothing to do with the battery. Exact same symptoms as mine, and several other people in my area. Its the contacts. Paid a Toyota mechanic, works on the side, to replace them. $60.00 here for parts and labor.

 

very good point, all that voltage is fine, but without the amperage, youll get nothing. make sure your cables are in good condition. On mine, i took speaker wire, i think its 4g, made addtional grounds to the frame an to the alternator. I run a lil sounds system in mine, so i occasionally have to go out an clean the pos terminals.