94 pickup - 22RE 142K miles

I have been getting the "click" on startup for a few months. Sometimes it would turn over a few times, then stop. After messing with the key, it would eventually always start up.

This exact thing happened yesterday, but this time the starter would not stop! I drove it around for about 2 miles, so the engine/tranny is fine, but still the starter was engaged, making this wierd noise. I turn off the engine and remove the key, and the starter is still engaged, turning the engine over. The only way to get it to stop was to pull the positive battery terminal!

I figured it was an ignition switch and starter relay issue, since I only get 7.2 volts on the starter control wire, but both test out fine.

During troubleshooting, just for grins, I took the the starter relay out and unplugged the ecu and ignition switch, and hook the positive battery up, and the ENGINE STILL TURNS OVER! The key is not even in the ignition and the clutch isn't even pressed in!!!

Ever heard of this? Only thing left in the equation is the starter right?

 

You need one of these my friend.



I say go pick up a starter from Napa, about $180, but you get $50 back. Mine was doing the clicky thing about a week ago, a few turns of the key then she's turn over. It never tried to start itself though. That's just weird.

 

Have you spoken with a friendly Toyota dealership salesman about the possibility of a new, slightly less evil, vehicle?

I would second the starter idea.

 

our ford did that awhile back, damn it was loud!

 

3rd to the starter.

soon as i get a new job, im gonna be down at the dealership.. i need something a little more wallet friendly..

 

For ****s and giggles, check your AM2 Circuit (you know, for grounding out, etc). That fused circuit controls everything when the key is "ON and START"

Then starter

 

lol, yeah I thought the thing was posessed last night too when I was standing in my driveway just staring at it trying to start all by itself.

One thing I didn't try was to unplug the starter control wire, and then hookup the positive side of the battery to see what happens.

Would this eliminate the AM2 circut?

 

ok i dont think starter,try the ing switch for a 40$ part but just try it first unplug the ing and see if it still starts it self! anda i wanna know what the cure was on this too

 

Um, already tried that.

Quote "During troubleshooting, just for grins, I took the the starter relay out and unplugged the ecu and ignition switch, and hook the positive battery up, and the ENGINE STILL TURNS OVER! The key is not even in the ignition and the clutch isn't even pressed in!!!"

 

I remember reading about the same problem in another post. They had the same "click" symptom first and then the starter would not stop after a while. I believe the contacts were getting stuck or something like that. Do a search and see what you can find.

EDIT: well I was almost right. See this post: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...arter+contacts

 

Nice! Thanks MJ!

I will pull the starter and check it out.

 

Yup, I unplug the starter control wire, and the truck still trys to start all by itself when I hook up the battery.

Replacement starter from local dealer is $98-$30 core. Not too bad for an OEM starter!

 

wow $98?! Thats a hell of a good price, especially considering its OEM, not some cheap knock off job.

 

Our John Deere riding mowere does the same thing , We have changed starters { 300 bucks} and all selenoids and ignition switch.. We put a kill switch between the starter and battery.. Crank it , then kill the fire to it.. Only thing we knew to do

 

I had the exact same problem on my 1999 Tacoma a while back - started with the "click" and led to exactly what you are talking about. Replaced the starter and the problem was 100% cured.

 

STORY TIME...

my dad was working on our chevy truck a few years back and while he was under the hood the truck started its self up. fully turned over and was running. the key was in his pocket.....

 

Pulled the starter. Thought it was a bolt on the top, but it turned out to be a nut that I was removing. Had to remove the oil filter to get to it.

 

I haven't taken it apart yet, but I think I will replace the whole thing since I drove it for a few miles and the truck was running for 10 minutes before I figured out how to shut it off. Had a horrible burning metal smell to it by then, so I bet I fried the starter motor. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

I went to the dealer with the old starter, and the parts guy looks at it, and pushes on the gear, and the solenoid retracts into the coil! The solenoid was engaged the whole time, so now I am convinced that a replacement starter will fix my problem. I run home with my new starter, and about 1/2 hour later, I am starting the truck and driving. Everything works great! (till the next part that breaks lol)

Jeff.

 

Congrats! And you didn't even have to call up the church for the exorcism!