Hi,

I have a 1999 4Runner V6; currently have been experiencing some problems.

When I don't drive the car for a few days, the following occurs:

1) When I try to star the car, NOTHING happens. I'll turn the key and silence, nothing.

2) When I try to start the car the second time, the car really struggles; I‘ll hear it churn a couple of times before the car finally starts

3) After I drive the car around for awhile, this problem goes away. Ie: after a good drive, I'll stop the car and take out the key. Then immediately try to start the car again and everything works just fine. The car instantly starts.

4) After a few days without driving though, the same problem comes back


Do you guys have any idea what might be causing the problem? Igniter? Battery? I have no idea

Your help is much appreciated!

 

I just replaced my 3rd set of starter contacts for my 180k miles 98 4runner.
You may want to check the contacts. It always start dieing on me when is cold, it just got worst after, before I replace the contacts.

 

Ignitor doesn't control the action of the starter.

Battery is a possibility, but if it turns over after a few trys, i would be looking at the starter.

 

So... it is starter?!

Thanks.

 

Well thats where I would start. Take it out, and have it tested.

 

Could be the starter- could just be the battery.

From the symptoms you describe the battery has a low charge and is left to sit for several days without a recharge from the truck's alternator. I am presuming no trickle charger or solar charger is in use while the truck sits....

The battery is cheaper and easier to test than the starter. I think-I am no mechanic.

Several of the large chain auto stores will test your battery for free. If you don't trust one-go to two stores and see if they test out the same.

How many miles on the Runner? How old is the battery? I hope you can see it is a guess for us with limited information.

If it is the battery you can check some threads here for suggestions on what to buy.

If it is the starter you should be aware the starter itself is rarely bad-it is just the contacts. You will still have to pull the starter-but replacing just the contacts is a lot cheaper than the entire starter. The starter is a Pain in the butt to pull from what I read- search "starter contacts"

Good luck and let us know what you discover.

 

New contacts...not new starter.

 

Sometimes its the starter too... I replaced my contacts to no avail; I had to replace the whole starter.

 

That is good to know kmcaprice14 -from what I am reading the starter itself is rarely bad but it does happen..

I wanted to make you all aware of this thread just above regarding an "upgrade starter" from Tacomas that bolts right up. Here is the link:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/1...r-info-148846/

 

Now I am stuck in my office.

Before it was twice now I need to try 5-6 times to start. It is sunday and I am stuck in my office.

I hope I can DRIVE to a dealer tomorrow.

Thanks for helps.

 

is yours a manual or auto trans?

 

it is automatic.

 

ok never mind then
mine was having a similar problem
the clutch switch was going

 

you know about smacking the starter right? When people suspect the starter is going bad they start to keep a rubber mallet or similar in their vehicle and then when it will not start they smack the starter with the mallet.

That would narrow it down at least, and the more I read about fires (!!)potentially starting if it is a bad starter, then it is probably best to get it dealt with pronto.

Best of luck and let us know what it is....