I have an '89 Pickup with 22re.

The truck has had starter issues almost the entire time I've owned it.

Before I received it from a family member, they had put in a bypass connecting the starter to the positive terminal on the battery, with a button in the cab to start the truck when the key was in.

After I received it, the guy who did my audio system removed it because he didn't like the fact that there was no fuse and it was directly connected.

Then I had starter issues, where when I turned the key (and the battery is good, alternator charging, etc), I could hear the solenoid click. If I waited a while, then there would be a chance that it would start. It doesn't appear to be related to whether or not it has been running, it's just random.

Well, the wire connected to the starter was still there, and wrapped around the back of the engine bay, which a family member showed me could be connected to the positive terminal of the battery, and the truck would start.

It has worked without issue so far, but anytime I drive my truck (about once a week, I'm at college) it requires me to connect the wire to the battery in order start it at least once.

What I'm wondering is if it there could be any long term negative effects of doing this, outside of just killing the starter. (My current plan is to leave it be until it stops working, or the summer when I have a lot more free time and a spot to put in a new starter)

Thanks guys

 

Just keep clicking! Turn off other stuff like lights and fans. Last ditch is pushing the truck forward or backwards in gear to move the engine a tooth, usually makes it fire again.
Or install a fuse and relay that gets triggered by the key switch.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...l#post51975700
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/class...rank-22re.html

 

You need to tell us truck-model-year-engine-transmission. All those matter. Please see signature.

This^^ is ghetto and dangerous; you do not even know where on the starter it is connected.

Yes, this...
If manual transmision with starter relay, just rewire for around $11 If auto without starter relay (For this you can also use stock starter relay from first-gen to later 4Runners / trucks.):

 

And connecting to near the battery cam cause sparks, sparks plus the out gassing equals boom acid everywhere