Hey guys-
Have a weird problem with my 2003 4Runner SR5. Every once in a while when I go to start it, everything lights up great on the dash, but turn the key and nothing, or maybe a click. No starter sound, no cranking, nothing. Then, after a couple more tries, it starts up like nothing has ever happened.

I had the battery and charging system checked out, and everything seems to be fine. Has anyone had this happen to them before? Any ideas?

I'm wondering if a bad ground might be the problem- Figured I would check and see if anyone has experienced this before or has any ideas before I get it up on the jackstands-

Thanks,
Adam

 

bad starter?

 

is it still under warranty

 

No, unfortunately, Too many miles.

 

how many miles do you have and also where do live

 

It has just under 50K on it- We're in Gainesville, FL-

 

I would guess starter contacts, cheap, just takes time to R&R. Toyotas are "famous" for starter contacts going bad.

 

For the contacts, are you talking about the electrical connections hooking up to the starter (needing connection cleaning), or contacts that are internal to the starter (needing starter replacement)?

Thanks for your insight, guys- I'm going to try to do some troubleshooting tomorrow-

Adam

 

Its the contact plates that are inside the actual starter. Which means you have to take it out and open up the starter. It is fairly a simple procedure on the 3Rd gens it shouldn't be too difficult on the 4th's. Only problem you may have is getting the starter out. After that its the easiest thing possible

 

So you can just by new starter contact plates and replace them within the starter? Is this a dealer only item, or would a common auto parts store carry them? Can they be cleaned, or is it a wear item that needs replacing?

Thanks for your help, guys-

 

I think I found a great page for what you guys are talking about- Doesn't seem too difficult- Looks like I just need to order a starter repair kit from the dealer:

http://4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

 

Good luck, I hope that fixes your problem.

 

I tried the contacts on mine and it didn't fix my issue. I then replaced the starter and it works fine now.

 

I second the contacts. Sell them everyday here at TOD. Here is a link.....

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55424

 

Hey guys- Finally got the starter out and sure enough, looks like the contacts are bad- Here are some pics of how easy it is to pull the starter on the 4.7L (2UZ-FE) engines:











Not exactly an easy job, compared to looking at some of the other 4-Runner engines.

I cleaned the contacts and plunger with some sandpaper, starts just great now- I ordered some contacts, so as soon as I get one click I'll pull it again and put in the new contacts.

Thanks for your advice, guys-

 

The 4.7 is a bit of a pain. Glad you got it going.

 

The starter is under the intake? Better you than me...although working with something as new as that motor then it really wouldn't be a pain.

 

the Caddy northstar engines are the same way.

weeirrrrrrrrrd

 

Hawk,

Glad you torn into it and found the problem. I just did a starter job on my '99. FYI you will find that the "battery" side contact will always wear down faster than the opposing side. When one contact wears deeper than the other, it forms a 1-2 millimeter gap between the plunger and the opposing contact, and that's all it takes to keep her from starting.

 

i think id rather take apart the intake to get to my starter than get my blasted starter out of my 3.0 motor. OMG it sucks. it turned out that it wasnt even the starter contacts that were causing the problem! well atleast i got new contacts now too!

nice job and pics!