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86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 04:22 AM
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no start starter

I have an 88 Toyota Pickup 4x4 2.4l. When I turn the key to start it, there is only a click sound (one click). The radio, fan, lights etc work, but it won't even try to start. The first time I thought the battery was dead, so I hooked up the charger for a few minutes, and it started. The second time, I noticed that the battery is fine. I still hooked up the charger, and it started. My mechanic checked the battery and said it is fine. What else could it. be? What's up with the charger working on a good battery, My mechanic cannot figure it out. Thank you in advance.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 08:30 AM
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A car battery can show a good voltage reading (e.g., 12.6 V) but still fail to deliver enough current to start the engine. This is a common issue and is often due to internal degradation rather than a completely dead battery. If a charge brings it up and it starts, but sitting with no charge won't start. I suspect a bad battery. How old is the battery?





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Last edited by JoeS; Jun 10, 2026 at 08:33 AM.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by JoeS
A car battery can show a good voltage reading (e.g., 12.6 V) but still fail to deliver enough current to start the engine. This is a common issue and is often due to internal degradation rather than a completely dead battery. If a charge brings it up and it starts, but sitting with no charge won't start. I suspect a bad battery. How old is the battery?





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okay. My mechanic says he checked the battery and it was good. But I guess it could still be working improperly. Thank you for the advice.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 08:44 AM
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Try again as it won't post my cut and paste reply. A car battery can show good charge (12.6 VDC), but not have the amps (power) to crank, that is why the radio works as no huge amp draw like a starter. There could be internal damage called degradation. If it starts after a full charge but not without it, I say it's a bad battery. How old is it? If over 4 years it did well by today's standards. Buy a new one.
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Old Jun 10, 2026 | 09:22 PM
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The starter relay was WIRED WRONG AT THE FACTORY. Pls show this schematic to an electrician or electrical engineer who knows what he is doing...





Here is the explanation, the SIMPLE fix and testimony from those who did the fix.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116.../#post52422426

Last edited by RAD4Runner; Jun 10, 2026 at 09:26 PM. Reason: added Illustration of Wrong Starter Relay wiring
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