1998 Tacoma 2.7L 235xxx

I have had intermittent problems with the terminals before, but replaced those about a month ago and have been problem free.

So I was up in the snow today, and killed it. Wouldn't start no how no way. Managed to get it roll started and home. When you turn the key, the radio shuts off and the brake light comes on, with a click. No starting at all, battery is good, both terminals clean and tight.

Now I was thinking starter contacts, but I don't really hear the solenoid clicking. Mainly I just hear what sounds like a relay clicking (it almost sounds like its in the cab). I pulled the starter relay and swapped it and same result.

Could this be the contacts? I've never known them to stop working all of a sudden but I guess anythings possible.

 

Sounds like contacts to me. Mine pretty much just suddenly went from ok to firing about 1 out of every 10 trys.

Did you happen to get moisture someplace it's not supposed to be? A chunk of snow pull a wire or connector loose someplace down low?

 

Its been drying out for a couple hours, nothing yet. I can't very well see the "trip" wire for the solenoid but the big wire is nice and tight and clean. The starter is almost directly above the front diff so its unlikely anything got up in there. I have a feeling I'm going to be pulling the starter very soon.

 

Fuses are all ok?

 

Will check them, which ones should I check? Engine? ECM? All the lights are working normally and it runs fine when I pop start it so I doubt its fuses.

 

Starter contacts and plunger.

Just my 2 cents.

 

What could be wrong with the plunger and how would I fix it?

 

This write-up is for a 3.4l starter, but the guts of yours will be very similar.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3...-heavy-105098/

and another pictorial using a 22re starter:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...ct-fix-193101/

 

I redid the contacts in my 82 starter, really straightforward.

What a PITA getting that starter out. One bolt from top, one bolt from bottom, no room to work on either side lol. My 82 you could get to both bolts through the wheel well, not so on the 98, mainly because the steering is in the way.

rworegon is the winner on the problem. I don't know if something hit it or not (it is actually my guess it was heat-cracked), but the attachment for the trip wire to the solenoid broke off. I noticed in when I couldn't find where it attached to lol.

Getting a new one from napa in the am

 

New unit installed and its starting like new

 

Glad you're back on the road.