The issue is with a 1999 4runner limited 4x4, 3.4L. Starting issues have been covered in many threads, and I have searched them all for an answer without success, so sorry for the new thread. Hope someone can point me in the right direction here.

The runner starts perfectly 99% of the time. Perfectly strong start when it does.

Then on random occasions, it will not start, all I get is a click when the key is turned. All of the electronics do come on, windows and lights work, battery is connected and strong.

What's strange is the timing on when this happens. The truck ALWAYS starts perfectly at home, then I'll drive a mile or two from home, (stopping for food or groceries) I get back in the car, it won't start. Just a single click on ignition.

It has happened about 10 times now, always on the "way back home", after the truck started great on the first leg of the trip. The first few times it happened, and I would continue turning the key over and over, and the truck would eventually crank up fine on the 10-20th try. I would get absolutely nothing, and then on one random turn it will just start strong. This was happening only once every few weeks, with the runner being uses as a daily driver all the while and starting perfectly 100% of the time other than these random indents.

Lately, it has left me stranded twice.

First time- went away for the weekend, came back and the 4runner started perfect after sitting for a few days. Drove the car 5 minutes to pick up my dog at my parent's house. Got to my parents house, grabbed the dog, car would not start when I got back in. Sat there for a half hour trying to start it, nothing. Ended up taking my moms car home. Drove back to the 4runner next day, and it started first crank.

Took it home, cleaned battery terminals, checked starter relay, rebuilt starter with new contacts. Started fine in the driveway about 20 times. Thought my issues were fixed.

Next day started up the truck first crank, drove a mile to Chipotle, ate, hopped back in and the car wouldn't start at all, for 30 minutes, just a click when key is turned. Had a buddy drive me home. Went back to the 4runner next day, and it started first crank.

So, as you can see, this issue seems totally random. After I got it home from the Chipotle time (a week ago), I crank the 4runner up in the driveway every day to check, and it always cranks up first turn of the key. Scared to drive it anywhere.

Does anyone have any ideas on what the issue could be? It might just be my imagination, but it seems to happen more on slightly foggy/cooler times, mostly at night. I live in southern California, so I'm not even talking real cold, 60 degrees plus. But maybe the extra moisture from fog could be doing something? Has never happened on a hot day.

I'm really hoping someone has an idea- really don't wan to send it to a mechanic to start coming up with expensive fixes to this elusive problem. I can't replicate the starting issue at home ever, it only happens on the "way home" after starting just fine to get me there.

Any ideas?

 

When you do this, Does the starter solenoid consistently click energetically, AND the starter motor turns energetically?
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...l#post52367443

If they do, then your problem is upstream. IF someone would care to share the schematic for 1999 4Runner, IT WILL BE EASY TO TROUBLESHOOT.

 

Poor connection that opens when things get hotter !!

I see this all the time.

Where ever it is things will be arced only a matter of time

I have the 98 4Runner EWD I wonder what might be different

Quick look it is pretty much like the Tacoma

Starter relay contacts are direct through circuit protection from battery
Not mentioned if Auto or Manual .nor the mileage might be worn out contacts in the starter solenoid

 

Tnx, Wyoming!
Yes, connections. Everything, not exceptions, not just grounds but also positive connections should have naked, shiny metal.

Also, The O.P. can help us help him by finding out exactly where and what is clicking.

 

Thanks for the quick replies!

@rad4runner- I just get one click, and then nothing. No constant clicking from starter

@wyoming- this is an auto trans, about 175k miles. I replaced the 2 large contacts in the starter

I can't replicate the issue right now, it's starting up just fine, so I can't listen for where the single click comes from when the issue occurs. I will be sure to do that if it happens again.

It sounds like this could be connections? I know next to nothing about electrical stuff but I can definitely check connections if I know which ones to search out. If anyone has any resources to point me towards that would be amazing!

 

It sounds like you may be able to drive around until it gets hot then go home and try restarting it in your driveway. if you get the click have a buddy tap on the starter while you hold the key on crank position. if it starts you know your problem is in or at the starter.

 

Thanks AKwheeler, I have actually done this every day for the past 3 days, and it always starts when I get back home.

The issue does not replicate on every "second" start attempt after a drive, but the "second" start seems to be the only thing I can link to when it does happen. For every trip that it happens, there are 10 or 20 trips where it starts perfectly.

 

I wonder if it might be caused by how things flex depending on how level it is where you are parked.

When you changed the contacts did you change the solenoid plunger as well they also can become so pitted and can cause intermittent cranking problems

Then depending where you live I have seen corrosion from Liquid Brine every where

 

What about the famous 3rd gen starter solonoid contact?
Look it up...bad contact in soloniod. $1 fix......but mine was the same......intermittent. not so easy to get at but a cheap fix.

 

Have you tried moving shifter into neutral to try to eliminate the park neutral safety switch?

 

+1^^^ good thinking vital ! it could also be that your driveway is sloped differently than the other places you have parked like wyoming9 mentioned. try pulling in backwards to see what happens.

 

Did you test your starter solenoid and motor as I suggested above to eliminate them a suspects?

Every time the problem occurs, when you turn ign to "start" something clicks, correct?
Need to know exactly what clicks if we are to solve this problem? Starter relay? Starter solenoid? When starter solenoid clicks does it do it energetically? or faintly?
Please keep us posted.

Have you bypassed the Neutral Safety Switch like vital22re suggested above? The NSS is in a nasty place that sees lots of dirt, oil and temperature extremes. It could easily get dirty or the contacts pitted. Without seeing the schematic I would have to throw this possibility out there:
IF CURRENT TO ENERGIZE THE STARTER SOLENOID PASSES THROUGH THE NSS, then you may be getting too much power loss in the wiring and across the NSS.

 

Ignition switch worn out?




Andreas

 

I had a similar problem with my '99 Tacoma. Fixed it by replacing the starter relay.
The part number is 28300-10020 (purple in color).
This same exact relay is common in many Toyota cars of that era (the 90's). My local pick-n-pull charges about $6.

 

Sometimes my rig does that when the battery is low on water. If your battery isn't sealed or gel, pop the covers off and you'll see two banks of 3 holes each. Fill water to 1" from the top. Careful not to overfill- that's acid in there.

Hope that helps. Might be a lucky break and not cost any $$.