Hey all this may sound stupid to some here but im gonna ask anyways. Last week i turned the key in my 4runner and just got a click. Well i figured i just had left a light on and ran down my battery. So i tried again and it turned right over. Over the last week this started happening more and more, but would always eventually turn over until today. So i went out and bought a new battery and the first try after putting the battery in it worked like a charm. Then next time it clicked again. Is my starter going out, do i need to let the new battery charge or what? Please help guys.

 

if it is just one single click and not a bunch of consecutive clicks i would say your starter needs to be fixed or replaced something is sticking inside, a new one for my truck was $85, some are also rebuildable and the kits are not to expensive.

 

If its a single click:

Check all your battery cable connections. On the battery itself, grounds and the cables to the starter.

Next probible cause would be starter contacts. How old is your starter? IF its a Denso (toyota) starter, you can buy contacts and rebuild it yourself. Rebuilding the starter is actually the easiest part of the job, the hardest being removing and installing the starter itself...

 

yes, this seems to be an all too common problem with the toyota starters. if you search there is quite a bit of info already posted. also 4crawler.com has replacement contacts and wiring info if the relay is involved.

good luck and welcome to YT!

 

my bad i thought you had just joined and i see you've been on for some time!!!

 

Mine does the same exact thing. It is not too ofter though. I had to give the starter a smack to get it going. I also cought it in gear once. Im going to switch it out it it gets worse. Good luck.

 

same exact problem here. 15 dollars for contacts and an hours time and its never done it since. *knocks on wood*

 

yep, starter is going out

 

The solenoid that pushes the starter gear out to match up with the ring gear is dying! You might be able to just replace that. Is this on a 22R(e) or a 3.slow?

If it's a 22re, it's an easy removal and installation. Just open the little access panel in the right inner fender. You can get to it from there without issue. : )

Good Luck!!

 

My girlfriends was so bad that it sometimes required 20+ clicks and a few good whacks with a hammar to start it. Rebuilt it with a set of new contacts, starts first time every time. Dont replace it, fix it!

 

just to add to the possible causes- the current to operate the solenoid goes through the ignition switch so poor contacts in the ignition switch can cause similar symptoms... enough current to partially energize the solenoid but not enough to fully engage it.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

 

Its your starter. Same thing happened to my 95 4runner. Id turn the key and click and then sometimes it would start.. you can replace the starter of your buy a rebuild kit.

 

Yeah, +1 on this. If you get a click and suddenly the lights and everything die, your battery posts/clamps need a scrub.

 

Your starter is not properly sealed. there is a breather tube going into the charcoal canister that takes all the humidity out and other things from the starter. Mine broke and within a week i had problems, dust, water, dirt was damaging the starter, i replaced it and sealed it 100% and have had no problems, even drove it under water (the starter was under water) and i have had no issues.

 

WHy not relocate the breather outlet to higher up, like you do with diff breathers.

 

Thats what im thinking. I never saw a breather on the 22re starter I rebuilt..

 

I've not seen breathers on a toyota starter, but have seen them on some rebuilt starters, particularly from Kragen/Schucks.