Lena

So another problem... I'm at the hospital and my truck is broken down in the hospital parking lot. When I try to start it, it clicks like it's the battery... But now I have discovered it is not the battery. The click seems to be coming from the starter. Any suggestions?

takeitoutgetitdirty

Sounds like the contacts in the starter. If its original better off replacing them then buying a rebuilt starter. Takes approximately an hour from start to finish. There are write ups on here and on 4crawlers site that can assist. I was able to take some contacts out of another starter that I had laying around to repair mine,

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

Lena

Yeah it's the starter.. I just don't have tools or resources here to deal with that right now in parking lot.... Prob gonna have to get a tow

stockwell45

iTrader: (1)

Anyone you know got AAA?

sebastianholmes

is it an auto or manual? if its a manual push it off and get it home or to a shop.

crazytoyota4x4

If u have someone with you, you can try tapping on the starter while turning the key. My friends truck clicks every once in a while and I just jump out and tap the starter, works every time.

justin_4runner

some times mines does this and i just tap it with a hammer and it will start. could give it a try... anything hard to hit it with even a wrench.

Lena

well... no idk anyone with aaa, but i do have roadside assistance with my insurance.,idk if that will help. but we did some tappin on the starter and it didnt help. So my main goal is get it home 1.5 hrs away and work on it from there... im thinking maybe it is the starter silenoid? from reading other threads

Lena

ohh and, its auto no compression start for me lol

justin_4runner

if its a 5 speed then just bump start it and get it home that way, if auto then the only way to get it going is replace the starter, oh u just answered it....

Lena

lmao uhuhhh

justin_4runner

so can u see the bolt for the starter easy? not the one for the solenoid but the one that powers the starter motor? u might be able to use jumper cables just the positive side and touch that bolt and see if it will turn over the starter and get it going, thats the last thing i can think of.

Lena

you havegreat ideas! lol but i did that too no luck

justin_4runner

well guess u are going to have to have it towed..

sebastianholmes

dont know much about the tacomas but i can change the starter on my 4runner with a 22re in like 20 minutes. get a new one and some tools and do it there if you can. if not it sounds like youll need a tow truck..

Lena

are starters expensive?

justin_4runner

they can be, at autozone for the 4 cly its 144. or 119 and for the v6 its 125. and 89.00 thats not including the cores....

70elcoss

yup its def the starter, it happened to mine about a year ago. i bought my rebuilt one at kragen for about $80 i think and i hasnt failed me in the year or so ive had it. comes with a lifetime warranty too! lol its not that hard of a job either, basically 2 bolts hold it in

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

Basically you need to tap the starter the same time someone is turning the key. How is are your battery connections? Sometimes they get corroded and you don't get the full voltage to the starter. Is it just a single click? If you turn on your headlights are they dim? Might be worth throwing a set of jumper cables on it and giving it some extra juice while you turn it over/tap on starter.

Lena

yes one click, bran new battery and terminals are clean, but i didnt tap while trying totart it at the same time,, ik try that