My 93 4Runner just started an annoying problem. I will turn the key to start and I get a click from under the hood. I check to make sure it is all the way in park and it still does it. You can jump the starter straight to the battery and it starts fine. when I use the key it will take from 2 - 6 times turning the key before it will crank. because I can start it everytime while jumping it straight to the starter I do not feel it is the starter. I feel it could also be a neutral safty switch but on occasion the key doesn't want to come all the way back to lock. but in the 2 years I have had it that has happened maybe 3-4 times. any ideas?

 

you could probably use search and find about 5 million threads on starters and ignitions.....

 

your negative battery terminal might be loose. enough connection to power lights and stereo and crap, but when the starter draws its huge current the resistance across the loose connection makes everything shut down. clean + tighten your battery connections!

 

also it could be your starter's contacts. I've heard when they start getting corroded or dirty they start with one or 2 clicks, and the amount of clicks grows as time passes, soon it just clicks and will never start. I'm assuming the click is the sound of the starter getting some electrical power but not enough to begin turning the engine's fly wheel.

 

It is definitely not the ground cable. I have also tried jumping it and even changed the battery to one with more cranking amps. I was just hoping it was not the starter. But if it is it is not a big deal.

 

its not the ignition switch, its the starter. If you are getting the click from under the hood, that means you are throwing power to the starter, thusly meaning the switch is ok.

 

batteries with a low charge will give the same effect. i cant tell you how many tow-ins i see that just need the battery replaced.

 

So...Laser Guy....what did you figure out? I have the same prob. I've swapped out the battery for a new one and the starter as well. Still the click! It's gotten progressively worse.

 

New brass battery terminal on the negative side did the trick! I think isaac338 was right. at least in my case...

 

i'm telling ya. you can swap batteries all you want but if your terminal is loosely crimped onto the wire, or your ground strap is falling off, or something as simple as you didn't tighten the terminal bolt enough, it'll act like your battery is dead.

 

My old terminal was cracked underneath. Whenever I jump started, it would turn right over. Shoot, I even went as far as a new starter. I should have known... Usually, it's the easiest solution...

Now, it's on to the VW bus whose engine I'm remantling....