Hey I've got an 89 22re x-cab 4x4 with 159k. The issue I'm having is that about 80% of the time I go to start it, I have to hold the key in the crank position for quite awhile (sometimes more than 30 seconds). Never the less, it still starts up eventually. The other 20% of the time it starts normally. It doesn't have anything to due with temperature or sitting around. It can sit overnight and start just fine or I can turn it off for ten minutes after an hour of driving and it will give me trouble. No other mechanical issues I have found. Everything else is perfect.

Any ideas?

Thanks for the help!

 

Are you saying that the engine turns over for 30 seconds or more then starts, or you have to hold the key for 30 seconds, then it turns over?

 

The latter, I will hold it in start with nothing happening (no sign of engine life, no turning over, nothing). Then it starts up.

 

I would say either the starter or the relay, theres a few threads on troubleshooting both, sounds like a weak contact point somewhere in the system and its taking a bit longer for the connection to be complete. Rad4Runner has a great write up on the starting system