starter troblem. i need help.
07-16-2008, 07:17 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: GA
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
starter troblem. i need help.
Hey,this is my first post and i had a question.
some times my 1988 4runner starts and sometimes it doesn't even click.
i dont no whats wrong i herd my friends said might be a starter problem.
do you no what i can do to check it and make it work?
thanks guys.
-myers504
some times my 1988 4runner starts and sometimes it doesn't even click.
i dont no whats wrong i herd my friends said might be a starter problem.
do you no what i can do to check it and make it work?
thanks guys.
-myers504
07-17-2008, 08:05 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A shot in the dark, but it took care of my starting problem
This is maybe the strangest thing you'll ever read on this website, but I swear every bit of this is true.
I bought my '90 pickup used, and shortly after discovered I had a starting problem. Sounds exactly like yours, it wouldn't even click when it wouldn't start. Other times, no problem.
First, get a voltmeter and test your battery - it should read at least 12.5 volts, if not 12.8 or more. Now go to start it, with the voltmeter still reading. It shouldn't drop below 9 or 10 volts. If it drops much below that, try charging the battery, and try starting again. Your battery will either be good or not after this. If that doesn't do it, read on...
After countless hours trying to diagnose my problem, and a brand new starter, I finally figured it out. (BTW, it wasn't the starter!) A previous owner had installed an alarm system, which had been mostly removed by the time I bought the truck, but there is still a relay installed that won't let the truck start if the driver side door is closed AND the dome light switch is turned to 'DOOR'.
As soon as you open the door, it will start, OR the switch can be turned to 'OFF' or 'ON', and the starting is as normal. After I figured this out, in testing, you can actually hear the relay switch click when you turn the dome light switch back and forth.
What I don't know is whether or not it was intentional or not, but I presume so. If your's is not like this, sounds like a starter to me. If you rule out the stealthy dome light security device and the battery, next time it doesn't start, hopefully you will have a friend close by. One of you hold the ignition to try and start it, while the other taps on the starter motor with a board or something else. You don't have to hit it hard, just give it a good tap. A 2x2 or a 2x4 works great for this, but really whatever you have on hand should work. If it starts as soon as you do this, you know you have a bad starter. PS Don't run over your friend or vice versa!
Good luck!
Brandon
I bought my '90 pickup used, and shortly after discovered I had a starting problem. Sounds exactly like yours, it wouldn't even click when it wouldn't start. Other times, no problem.
First, get a voltmeter and test your battery - it should read at least 12.5 volts, if not 12.8 or more. Now go to start it, with the voltmeter still reading. It shouldn't drop below 9 or 10 volts. If it drops much below that, try charging the battery, and try starting again. Your battery will either be good or not after this. If that doesn't do it, read on...
After countless hours trying to diagnose my problem, and a brand new starter, I finally figured it out. (BTW, it wasn't the starter!) A previous owner had installed an alarm system, which had been mostly removed by the time I bought the truck, but there is still a relay installed that won't let the truck start if the driver side door is closed AND the dome light switch is turned to 'DOOR'.
As soon as you open the door, it will start, OR the switch can be turned to 'OFF' or 'ON', and the starting is as normal. After I figured this out, in testing, you can actually hear the relay switch click when you turn the dome light switch back and forth.
What I don't know is whether or not it was intentional or not, but I presume so. If your's is not like this, sounds like a starter to me. If you rule out the stealthy dome light security device and the battery, next time it doesn't start, hopefully you will have a friend close by. One of you hold the ignition to try and start it, while the other taps on the starter motor with a board or something else. You don't have to hit it hard, just give it a good tap. A 2x2 or a 2x4 works great for this, but really whatever you have on hand should work. If it starts as soon as you do this, you know you have a bad starter. PS Don't run over your friend or vice versa!
Good luck!
Brandon
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LotOMiles
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
8
09-14-2015 11:45 PM
