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I have a '96 Runner with the V6 (3.4L) engine and auto trans. The battery is fully charged and the Runner won't start. When attempting to start it, it just clicks. Does that mean I have to replace my starter. What else can I check?
I hope they did a load test on that battery before and after they charged it.
A fully charged battery =12.6 volts.
Do you have a volt/ohm meter to check the voltage?
Also look into the possibility of worn contacts and plunger though that usually starts as intermittent. Write-up by Hrt4me in my build thread, there's write-ups on them in all sorts of places because it's pretty common.
In the video the solenoid sounds like it actuates energetically and most likely is closing the contact well.
Most likely root causes (assuming contacts were done right):
1) Poor connection to battery,
2) Weak battery.
3) Bad starter motor (winding or brushes).
Originally Posted by aldaman014
...Could it be my starter ignition switch? Thanks.
...A fully charged battery =12.6 volts. Do you have a volt/ohm meter to check the voltage?
+1 The voltmeter/multi-meter is the most important electrical troubleshooting tool, next only to our senses. Spend $6 at Harbor Freight or waste time guessing.
What voltage do you measure at the battery with everything off? With headlights on high-beam? A battery that has more than 10V with high-beams on should still be able to turn the starter motor, although weakly.
Originally Posted by Noil
Almost sounds like a bad ground or grounding issue. I would check make sure your grounds are in good shape.
+1/2
Not just ground. Check ALL connections between battery and starter.
Check the thick cable that goes from battery positive to the screw-terminal on the starter/starter solenoid. Check the thick cable that goes from battery negative to (I believe) the block. All connections should have bare, shiny metal tightly touching bare, shiny metal. If either of the above connection is poor, starter solenoid would still click and contact will close but there would not be enough power to run the starter motor.
Last edited by RAD4Runner; Sep 25, 2017 at 08:12 PM.
Thank you all for the advice / help. Found the culprit. It was a bad connection from the positive battery cable. It was all corroded by the terminal connection. Previously my son changed the terminal post and I never bothered to check the wires connected to it. I assumed he cleaned up all that area thoroughly. After inspecting it and cleaning the wires of all the corrosion, the Runner started right up with one turn of the key.
thanks....
Sep 17, 2017 | 12:26 PM
