My 88 3.0 wont start unless it gets jumped. When getting jumped the truck starts fine and drives fine after that. The alternator and battery are both new, new terminals have been put on and the battery terminals have been thoroughly cleaned. Would it be the starter even though it starts fine when being jumped?

 

How new are they? Might have an autoparts store double check your battery to be on the safe side, and I would also double check to make sure your termals are not only clean but tight. I had this same problem and it ended up being my cables going from my battery to my starter. I replaced both the positive and negative terminals.

 

I think it's probably your starter contacts. The extra amperage from the jump will kick it but unless you change out the contacts you'll have the same problem. I had the same thing last year; replaced both contacts & sanded/smoothed out the center contact piece and all is right now.

 

does it click but nothing happens? just because the terminals are new and clean doesnt mean they are good, i learned that the hard way at midnight at the theater. im guessing that your not getting a good enought connecting from your battery to your positive terminal. replacing that should help you out

 

Probibly the starter contacts.

Mine does it once a month or so, thank god its a 5sp, I can just bump start it

 

just take it to shucks, and they will test all 3 of those major componets.

 

Ill run it by auto zone tomorrow. My last guess would be the starter contacts. Thanks everyone I will report back tomorrow.

 

I'm guessing either bad battery cable or possibly bad battery even though its new...

 

It was the battery. I bought it new in august 06. piece of crap walmart
"(n)Ever Start" battery.

 

as the saying goes, you get what you pay for...

Walmart Strikes Again!!

I hate that ˟˟˟˟˟˟˟ place...

 

I've had very good luck with their batteries... They have a good warranty and a good price.

As always though save your receipts.

 

I have also had good luck with the walmart battery in my 90 celica. I bought it in 2001 and it already had the even start battery put in it a year or two earlier. It lasted me all the way up to 2006. It survied many sub zero days in chicago and below freezing in southern IL. Given that this car was never taken off road which all the jarring could severly shorten the life of a cheap battery. Im going to be throwing yellow top in my 4runner once I get it running

 

I've owned THREE of the WalMart "MAXX" batteries (1000 amp) in various vehicles; Consumer Reports rated them the BEST battery on the market & I agree. I got 6 years of hard service out of my last one and it was still under warranty! I only had to paid $35 for a duplicate replacement under warranty last year.

Avoid the EverStart batteries.

 

i've also had a bad experience with the Everstart battery. apparently they do not last too long with demanding engines. the battery only lasted 2 months in my Nissan Altima VQ35. good thing i kept the receipt. it looks like the 3.0 eats them up too.

 

everyone i know runs walmart batteries and they work great.

as for the starting issue, someone was talking about a wire from the ignition in another thread.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116/my-truck-eating-starters-115363/

 

I hope my luck holds out, Ive never had a problem with walmart batteries or reman. parts .. Carquest batteries are the only ones ive had trouble with..