'01 SR5

I came out of the grocery store, turned the key...no cranking.
All dash lights, acc, etc, come on (everything has power except for the starter).
I have checked the battery, starter leads, relays, fuses.
It almost seems like it's in the starter switch.

But here's the weird part:
If I leave it for 15 minutes or so and come back, it starts/cranks right up!

It doesn't always do it; but about 70% of the time, if I turn the engine off while it's hot, the starter will not crank the next time.

So far, cold starts are no problem. It seems like the starter goes dead once the engine's hot.

Last week I forded a creek - water up to the chassis - don't know if it's related, but the problem started the next day.

I have traced some wiring, checked bolts, minimally inspected the starter switch.

I'm hoping somebody else has encountered this before I start disassembling tons of panels, etc. Or maybe (as is usual) somebody here has a suggestion that I haven't thought of.

Most likely your starter solenoid contacts are worn. It's a pretty easy fix if you're mechanically inclined. You can buy the contacts from a Dealer, or various automotive electrical repair shops. I bought a kit from the local Checker Auto Parts store that included new contacts, and plunger for under $20.00.

This is a write-up a guy did on how he replaced his Starter Solenoid contacts. LINK

I didn't remove as much stuff to access the starter on my 4Runner, but it gives you an idea of what to do.

x2 on the solenoid contacts..........do you have a multimeter for testing to see if power is getting into the solenoid and also out of it?

You say when you turn the key you get no cranking. What sounds do you hear? Is there, no sound, a single click, or multiple clicking? If it's a single click, I'd agree it might be the contacts. Otherwise it's probably something else.

I had no sound from mine when I decided to replace my contacts..... that being said it also could have been in the studs that hold the contacts or the plunger.........I just replaced everything and have not had any other issues with it in the last two years.
He should do a voltage drop test along the starter positive before replacing anything though.

When it happens, I can hear the correct relay clicking, I think, but the solenoid is not engaging (clicking); so that doesn't seem to point to the contacts as a problem.

Because it isn't doing it consistently, I can't test with a multimeter. (Due to Murphy's law, it starts when I'm in my garage.)

It did it yesterday in a parking lot. Came out, turned the key, starter wouldn't spin. I came back out 15 minutes later and it was fine. Today I started it many times and drove it about 3 times, then back to my garage, trying to get it to quit; but it starts okay today.

Irony: I don't think I've ever tried to get a vehicle to quit for diagnosis before!

Well, the starter solenoid contacts do wear out eventually. They wear and then starting becomes hit and miss until they are replaced.

What you describe are the same symptoms that many others have described, and I also had when the contacts were worn.

OK, thanks.

Starters I have minimal experience with. Wouldn't the solenoid still click with bad contacts?

I've had TOYs go so many more miles without throwing a major part (this has only 90k), so I wasn't thinking in big parts yet. Out of 10 TOYs in the immediate family, all with greater mileage, I've never had a starter problem. But I'm now convinced they're not built like the old 20R/22R series were.

I've looked at the starter and it's hell to get to. So I hope that's not it. Getting to it would involve removing the sway bar and the exhaust headpipe (always tough bolts). So it will be the last thing to remove/inspect.

In the meantime, it's been suggested to me that it could be the neutral safety switch. I will look for that tomorrow - where is it? On the AT linkage?

Other things that I have come up with that may match the symptoms are ignition switch, ground strap, & solenoid sender wire.

NSS is on the side of the trans......I believe it's right below the linkage.

The first thing you need to do is get it to not start and test voltage at the solenoid in, if you have voltage there, then check solenoid out.......if no voltage to solenoid in......start looking else where.

Always a good idea to clean and re-secure battery terminal connectors also.

I've never removed any of that to remove the starter on a 5VZ.

I had the exact same problem for a month.

Sometimes it would click, often not. After cycling the key it would start like normal. Over time, it got worse, took more cycles to start.

Diagnosis - not the solenoid, starter worn out.
Replaced with a Bosch rebuilt.

Parts and labor (independent toyota shop) - $300.

While I don't exactly like the sound of the new starter, sounds like a Chevy Silverado, it works.

Thanks for all the feedback - good stuff.

Sounds like I might have to wait for the problem to get worse because I can't get the problem to occur right now - probably because I haven't been driving more than a few miles at a time. The problem so far occurs only when I drive more than 20 miles or so, and never at home. My clues (if not coincidental) for this incident are: occurs when hot, happened after driving through a creek.
Will work on it some tonight.

I have a 97 Honda Accord that has very similar problems. Its a daily driver and i drive it every day at different speeds and travel 11 hours one way once a month. This has happen to me many times recently. I hear no clicking at all (doesnt mean it dont everytime). There is a recall on my Honda, which is the ignition switch. Havent gotten to the dealer yet. My Honda is 5spd so i just park where i can roll. BUT, i have at times popped my hood when someone is around and asked if they could help with this process. I will tap the starter solenoid (gently) while they turn the key at the same time. It starts after that, all the time. So i think my issue would be the solenoid itself or maybe the contacts like everyone in 3rd Gen Toys has mentioned. Give it a try. Good Luck !

IMO, you got taken..... worn out starter wouldn't click, it would be sloppy sounding or slow cranking. I'm sure it just needed contacts and a plunger.