This AM when i went to start my truck i turned th eKey and "click" was all i heard i tried it three or four more times same noise finally after three or four tries it finallyu started.


I have been told it could be a starter, Battery, Alternator.


Does anyone have any idea of how i could go about finding out what my problem is before i take it to the Mechanic and am charged 65 an hour to find out???


PLEASE HELP!

 

Next time it just clicks, hit the starter body with a hammer and if it starts then it is obvioulsy the starter. ( hammer handle- you cna get to it through the fender).

But is sounds like the starter has gone bad.

If it goes, click,click,click, start. Like that? Then ya starter I would think.

The clicking sound is the solenoid trying, but the contacts are no good usually.

IF it is a stick and you can pop start it, thats another way to check it out.

 

Those are the contacts doing that.
Mine did it a few summers back.

Turn key, click, click, nothing.

What you can do is hold the key on when it clicks, and don't let go for a few seconds.
The current will heat up the contacts and it will start.

I ended up having Toyota replace my starter with a remanufactured one from them.
$200 for the unit, $100 labor.

It can be done by someone in their driveway if they have time.

Look in our tech section for a starter install for the 3.4 engine.
You can replace the contacts for about $11 from Toyota if you choose to go that route.

Whatever you do, don't be fooled into buying one of those guaranteed for life starters from discount auto parts stores.
You will exercise that guarantee once a year when they burn out.

It's worth it to get a genuine Toyota replacement.

 

You aren't the only one...

Turns out this is pretty common with all years of Toy starters. I have been researching this a little myself (same symptoms) the last day or so. The contacts get worn and prevent the starter from working properly all of the time. I searched old threads here and over on 4X4Wire and This Thread sums up what you need to do, with part numbers. From that thread, there are also some good links to other sites with even more info on this.

I called my dealer and they have the contacts in stock for about $10 ea. (you'll need both sides). Hope this helps.

 

Hay guys thanks for the help but she died right in the middle of my driveway this morning and wouldn't start, AT ALL!!! i am gonna have to get her towed to the mech tonight, as they are calling for rain all frickin week!!!!!


GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

i will let you all know how it ends up!!!!

Thanks for the help!!!!

I am praying that he can just redo the contacts and thats it

But this gives me the chance to upgrade my battery. . .

Red top or yellow top and whats the difference???

 

sorry it has taken me a bit to update some of my posts . . .

I upgraded my battery the very next day because the battery actually ran completely dead. . .

when i got her to the mechanic he told me he would try and figure out the chepest way to fix it I said awesome and left. . . The sec. calls me later in the day and says hay have you been hearing that the exhaust seems to be louder from under the hood lately, i said now that i think about it she had been sounding a little loud. the next thing outta her mouth was " if you were thinking about a header now would be a good time to get one" i asked her why she told me i had cracked my manifold from the gasket down almost 6 inches!!!

so i ordered a downey header and had them install it. . . ceramic coated of course!!!!

Thanks for all the advice in narrowing the problem down!!

John


almost forgot that i upgraded to a optima yellow top!!! when i told the guy behind the counter what i wanted he said no waht you want is the red top, i told him "not really i would like a blue to but can't afford it right now" i thought that was funny sorry.

 

You won't be disappointed with the yellow top. That's what I run.... absolutely awesome battery!

 

You can get contacts HERE >> http://www.startercontacts.com