I have a 1993 4 runner with v6. For a while I'd have to turn the key over a few times in order for the starter to engage. Now it just clicks and whines if I hold the key. I pulled the starter and it test good. The battery cable ends have been cleaned and look good. Any ideas? I can hear the fuel pump kick on when key is in start position. Thanks, Ryan I forgot to mention that it is a manual tranny.

 

Mine did the same thing. It would just click. I'd beat the starter and it would do fine for about five months then 3 months then 2 weeks then eveery time I went to crank it i would beat on the starter. I took it off and checked it and it cleared about 10 times. I was all set to buy a new starter and my buddy told me to test the wire running from the battery to the starter. I did and it was putting out about half what it was supposed to. I replaced it and its now good as new. I hope my starter will get over me beating it. He said that these wires just go bad and dont send current like their supposed to. I saw the same thing on a 98 silverado as well.

Check the wire its worth a shot. Worked for me and a couple others. Hope it works.

 

Thanks redyota. Any hidden tricks to pulling the old cable out? Wouldn't budge for me the other day.

 

Did you test the wire to see if that was the problem? If you want to check it before you strip it out and you have the new wire just undo both ends and hook the new wire up temporary like and see what you get.

If that solves your starting problem then just start at the battery or the starter and follow the wire either way removing it from the insulation and other wires etc. It is aggrivating being so tight in there.

 

Do you have a clutch start cancel button? Try starting with that, in neutral. There is a position switch on the clutch that tells the engine it's engaged and ready to start.

 

sounds like the solenoid on the starter is starting to go. i have brought starters to autozone to be tested and they always test fine, but they won't start the trucks...

 

The clutch cancel button does work. All it does is click at the solenoid.

For a long time I'd have to try starting it 3or 4 times before the starter would engage and then one day it wouldn't engage at all no matter how many times I try.

I haven't been able to get back to working on it yet so I don't know about anything else at the moment. Hopefully sunday.

 

yeah ive seen those solenoids go out to. ever considered swapping over to grizzley winter green? The connecting wire is about the cheapest fix to check and i've seen it work multiple times, i've always wondered if it was a mechanic conspiracy to cause you to buy a new starter.

 

Check where the negative battery cable attaches to the engine block. Mine was loose when I bought my rig and it did the same things.

 

make sure you get 12v at he starter signal wire, sometimes the connector get worn or loose so maybe replace that. If you've got the starter out, pull it apart and take a look at the starter contacts just in case.

 

The funny thing here is I haven't chewed in three years and at one time I chewed grizzly when I couldn't afford cope or kodiak. lol

 

straight long cut skoal for 8 years.

 

Test the voltage at the solenoid wire:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest

 

could be a stuck relay, or even a stuck starter brushes/rod thingy. Simple as cold weather could be causing it...

 

Guess I forgot something that may be of good help.

This all started after I went through a puddle that was deeper than i thought.

 

Well there you go, either bad parts/windings/brushes wet and gooey, or same can be said for moving parts in there, plus the little piston, and since it is now cold here, that would easily make things harder to move, if they are dirty/gooey/sticky.

 

The contact on the battery side was the culprit. There was very little left of it. Maybe an eighth of an inch left were the plunger makes contact.

Thanks to 4crawler for giving me the courage to do the repair!

 

Thanks for following up.

My contact failed the same way. At first the starter only occasionally needed some smacking. Didn't take long to require more frequent beatings. When it got to be almost every time I wanted to start, I replaced the contacts. It has worked fine ever since.

Our Toyota starters are supposed to be pretty tough. The solenoid contacts, and really only one side, are the weak point. I remember reading an article years ago about barstool racers favoring Toyota starters because they could be run nonstop (powering the barstools) without burning out.

 

^^^Yup!, Me too.

I did mine 5 years ago. $10 worth of parts and your to go again. I bought an extra pair just to throw in my tool box but I haven't had to use them.

Best tip I've ever had was to rebuild your own alternator, starter, etc. Because it's cheap, effective, and leaves you with your OE part that just lasted 15 years.

I rebuilt my alternator 14 years ago and haven't touched it since. Although I think it's due sounds like the front bearing might be starting to give up.

 

Not so much that is is a weak point, it is just a wear item, easy and inexpensive to replace. You'll probably have worn out several sets of tires before those contacts wear out:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml