For $103 and me doing the labor I'll have a brand new starter in the truck tomorrow.
Dealer wants over $500 to do it. I figure I will get a few new tools (Ball Swivel impact sockets) and the pleasure of doing it myself and still save several hundred dollars.

Thanks, this site is awesome.
Did the valve cover gaskets not too long ago.

 

Is that $103 for a complete rebuilt and you taking it out and putting it in the truck? That's awesome! Good luck
I am always up for new tools!

 

yea, $103 including tax for a complete rebuild. When I get them back, they look brand new. Took me 1 1/2 hours to get it out but that was a leisure pace, taking wheel, skid plate off etc. You have to tun the alternator around 180 degrees and then upside down to get it out the back. I did remove the power steering line. I also removed the exhaust bracket just so I could get my air ratchet in there.

 

oh, passed on the new tools. Those ball swivel impact sockets are $$$ at Sears. I got it done with my regular stash.

 

If you have an auto trans try it in neutral if it doesn't work in park. If it starts in neutral you likely have a problem with the neutral safety switch on the transmission. If it won't start in either position or you have a manual trans, it's likely that the ignition switch itself is bad or the starter contacts are bad.

The next time it's not starting (and you have checked the neutral safety switch) put the truck into neutral with the parking brake firmly set and jump the starter solenoid terminal to the battery cable connection on the starter with a piece of 16 ga or larger wire and see if the starter turns. If the key is on, the truck will start. If the key is off, the starter will turn but the engine won't start. If the starter doesn't turn, you have a bad starter; if it does, you have a bad ignition switch.

 

I tried to start my 1996 4runner and all that happens is the lights on the dash flash and the door open buzzer sounds. I have had an issue with a ground wire once however this I fixed. Any ideas what might be happening

 

I have a 96 4Runner with this exact issue. I went through changing the battery, terminal posts, checking the relay, changing the ignition switch and so on for 3 years now. It would just happen for about a week then once I changed something work again for about a year. This time it is really down. I just found this info and want to change my contacts but the link stir_fry_boy posted is no longer active. If someone would please re-post and active link so I may work on my car that would be grand!
Thanks, Lira

 

Here's a working link to some repair information:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

 

Thank you! Now I am off to start trouble shooting and to make a parts list.