My 89 3vz Pickup wont crank. The relay clicks, I've pulled the relay anyways and tested it as per the Toyota FSM and its fine, checked all the fuses. So i pulled the starter, bench tested it, it ran fine, reinstalled it and still no crank. I checked all the connections going to the starter with a multimeter and a test light and everything is good. I also just rebuilt the oem starter with new contacts and plunger not even a year ago. Just now pulled the starter again and tore the whole thing completely down and cleaned it until it was spotless, regreased the bearings, bench tested it to be sure, again its fine so i reinstalled and still no cranking. The only thing that happens everytime i try starting the truck is the relay clicks and im hearing the plunger push the gear into the flywheel but it doesnt even attempt to crank over. The batterys brand new and fully charged, just for the sake of it i even put a booster pack on the battery and tried it and nothing. If it wasnt testing perfectly on the bench then I'd automatically think the starter was bad and just replace it but since it works great out of the truck It cant be the starter. At this point any advice is helpful as I'm sick of pulling the starter in and out and I need this thing running. Thanks.

 

"the relay"? I have a starter relay on my '93, but I didn't think the '89s had one. If I'm correct (and there are certainly those on this site who know a lot more than me), then the solenoid is powered directly through the ignition switch to the small post on the starter.

Not too hard to test. Get a 100cm lead with an alligator (crocodile?) clip. Remove the small wire from the starter, using the lead connect the small post directly to the positive terminal of the battery. You say you hear the plunger push but the starter doesn't spin; it could be that you have enough resistance in the ignition switch to keep the plunger from moving far enough to close the contacts. If you can crank the starter with the jumper, the ignition switch is where I'd look.

And if that's the case, several knowledgeable folks on this site will point you to the correct circuit update.

 

Yes there is a relay, its under the steering wheel by the kick panel where the fuse box is, its working normal. But anyways ya ill try that tomorrow and see how it goes. Thanks.

 

Well after all the messing around it was the wire between the battery and the starter that frayed a bit and must have been shorting so i put a new wire in and it runs as usual.

 

I am also having an issue with crank and I want some suggestions for that.