hey guys,
My '98 3.4L JUST started acting funky yesterday going back to work from lunch...I go to start it and CLICK...nothing...try again, CLICK...nothing....3rd time...starts RIGHT up....after work, no problem...picking up my daughter from school....took 3 times....since yesterday...it does the CLICK...nothing thing 2-4 times before starting right up...no funky noises (grinding...etc)....battery seems strong and is newer IIRC (previous owner installed) Also...it does the same thing HOT or COLD start.

So...where do I start? I figured putting the battery on a charger would be a good start. I need suggestions...this is my DD and I don't want to be left hangin' w/o startin'!

thanks in advance!

Åaron

 

Sounds like the starter solenoid, which I believe is attached to the starter and they need to be replaced as one. Try hitting the solenoid a few times to shake the corrosion off of the connections inside of it. That helps and will make it work for a while sometimes, but it is better to replace it.

 

Yup its your starter

When worse comes to worse you can give the starter a good ol wack.

 

isnt there a starter deal you can buy at the dealership for like 50 bucks? or is that for the alternator.

 

I had the same thing going on...it will just get worse.....I replaced the contacts for $15.00 dollars from dealer.....easy! Check and see if you have the same for your year. Saved me a bunch of money.

 

I just had the starter points changed last week on my 95 4Runner and have not had a repeat starting issue. My problem occurred several times a week.

 

Definately the starter solenoid contacts....very cheap to do as was mentioned.

 

Holy frig! I was just about to type out the exact same post regarding my 99runner! It started happening last week.
Does anyone know the part number I should ask for from the dealership?
Thanks!
Kevin.

 

Here's a good place to start:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...l#Introduction

 

Calg3, very good articles...way to go!

Nam

 

heh....i *thought* maybe....maybe....it was a fluke.....it didn't do it ONCE from Sunday nite....until.....today.....just once....but enought to know that I'll have to change some stuff up. Ah well....wrenching, just another fun thing!

Å

 

My experience was not all that fun. The starter is a bear to remove. Let me know if you come up with a slick way to remove the starter?

 

No problem, Roger has some terrific information on his site. He really has a wealth of knowledge. Great guy to deal with, too.

 

Did you see the 3.0 & the 3.4 articles on starter removal?
https://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech/techpage.htm

 

Thanks for the info. I will keep this for the next time I have to change my contacts.

 

Here are some links I posted elsewhere about the contacts. The previous link is pretty good when it comes to removal -- the following are good reference for solenoid contact replacement:

4runner starter contact replacement

Another example

Third link.

 

Just an update on my situation with the starter in my '95 4Runner (I posted this elsewhere but thought it could prove useful here as encouragement):

I purchased a starter solenoid rebuild kit which consisted of a plunger and two contacts (approximately $24.00 bucks with shipping). I removed the starter by removing the access panel to gain more clearance. No small feat, I did not even need to jack up the truck or remove the skid plate. But what made it much simpler was the fact that I had elbow connectors for my ratchets. I don't think the process would not have gone as smoothly without them.

Once the starter was removed, I followed the instructions in the kit (and from other posts), removed the plate covering the solenoid, removed the old plungers and used-up contacts, and replaced them with new (be gentle removing the plate, there is a rubber gasket that could very well break -- mine did, but I just pieced it together again and closed up the solenoid).

Placing the starter back into the truck was again a feat, but I managed to get it back in after some encouragement. The truck started up just fine.

So, instead of paying $100.00 plus bucks for a starter (price ranges between $95.00 for a local rebuilt of a lesser quality brand to $168.00 for a new rebuilt online) and about $100.00 to $150.00 for installation, I save all those bucks for 4-5 casual hours of time (I did not rush) and a $20.00 kit. The starter is starting the truck up like a champ!!!

 

These symptoms troubled my truck for about a month. I thought at first it may have been caused by my remote start setup.....Took it to the dealer, they said it was likely the solenoid, and WAS covered by my 2nd purchased warranty. Paid 50.00 for the deductable, and had it replaced at the dealer. Would have cost 380.00 if not covered......Whew!

Right before it was replaced, it would take 20 attempts to start, a few times I put it in neutral and rolled it back a few feet, and it would start right up.