Alright, 1995 4runner 4wd v6. The steering wheel locked up so I had to drill out the lock cylinder and it worked fine. Decided to sell it, was able to start it for everyone who asked. Guy comes out to buy it today, I started it just last Thursday. I was using a pair of pliers to start it but the thing came out yesterday so I tried a screwdriver, I could turn it but nothing was happening. So I took the battery out and exchanged it for a new one. Now with the screwdriver or putting the thing back in and turning it with pliers will not start the vehicle. Lights come on, AC, everything works. When I turn it over it clicks once but just once then complete silence. Read online it could be the solenoid, starter, bad ground. Could still stuff really just go out in 4 days time with no warning? Where should I start?

I looked at the fuses and didn't see anything wrong with them but how do I check the starter fuse, it is just a white box?

 

I think you have a broken ignition switch

 

How would I go about testing for that?

 

Loll.. comedy.
Get another one. U need it tto have a key anyway. Junkyard.

 

Well, I asked the parts store for an ignition switch and looking online I thought it would be the whole L shaped piece but they just gave me a lock cylinder, is that the same thing?

Whatever the part is behind the lock cylinder (would love to know the name) came out and I don't think it is suppose to, all the videos I see online show people just sliding the lock cylinder back in and it was a real bear to get this piece back in since there is a notched hole in the back it has to slide in to. Also I had to get the piece slide over that keeps the steering wheel from locking.

Either way, it still didn't work. Lights, AC, but doesn't even try to start and just clicks once.

So far tried taking the starter out and testing it, tried jumping the battery, inspected all the wiring for anything loose/corroded, made sure good connections at the battery terminal, not sure what else to do?

When I try to start it with my headlights on they do not dim and I thought normally they should. Personally I feel like I messed up something when I tried starting it with a screwdriver but I don't know what. I don't have a meter to test any wires unfortunately.

Any advice besides taking it to a mechanic?

 

Also I have checked all the salvage yards around and they don't have any Toyota 4runner parts at all.

 

Well, it looks like the actual ignition switch is a circular thing with wires in the very back, the thing whatever the part is behind the lock cylinder goes in to. I think either it is bad, something broke, or the part behind the lock cylinder is not fitting in correctly so I plan to replace that. It is hard to find guides online though because everyone calls the lock cylinder an ignition switch, anyone have any tips for getting the ignition switch out and back in?