I've got a new battery and the test shows battery good, starter good, alternator good. It seems like a drain to me. In the mornings the engine slowly cranks a couple of times like the battery is discharged (and sometimes it won't even crank--I have to wait a few seconds and try again), but then it fires up and runs fine. A mechanic buddy told me to disconnect the ground wire from the battery every night. Being as that's totally ghetto, I figured I'd ask the trusty 'ol 4runner forum if:

1. Anybody has had a similar problem (and how you resolved it).

2. The most frequent culprits of battery drain.

3. How I would test different components for a drain.

Thanks in advance.

1. Anybody has had a similar problem (and how you resolved it).
Yes. On a new Chev Blazer. No one could ever find the problem and car was replaced under lemon law.

2. The most frequent culprits of battery drain.
Not really sure but I would guess lights, ignition coils, accessories...?

3. How I would test different components for a drain.
Pull fuses one at a time and see if one makes a difference, and go from there.

Could be some of the wires that are for the rear light hatch. Our '96 had this issue, where some of the wires somehow shorted out because rain got in past the grommets, which made the battery drain.

I think we can rule out battery drain. I disconnected the ground cable last night, and this morning it acted in exactly the same way. Any thoughts???? This is really stumping me.

I've read a lot of posts about a similar (if not the same) problem, and the starter contacts seem to be the culprit. I've ordered some, and I'll post the results when I'm done next week. In the meantime, I thought I'd ask if any 4runner owners have done this procedure and their thoughts and experiences on it, or if anybody knows where I can get a detailed pic by pic walkthrough. That, and what's the best access point to get the starter out?

Yep, it was the starter contacts. If you ever need to do this, all you need to do on a 3rd Gen. 4runner is:

--Before anything, remove ground cable from battery.

1. Remove the front passenger tire.

2. Remove the clips holding on the splash guard, remove splash guard.

3. Remove the upper half of the transmission fluid dipstick (you'll need to wiggle it to get it out, wd-40 to get it back in).

4. Remove the two bolts holding the break lines in place (one on outer side of frame, one on inner side).

5. Remove power cable from starter.

6. Remove two 14mm bolts on the bellhousing that are holding the starter in place (the really #@*#! FUN part).

7. Remove plastic power clip.

8. Wiggle out, replace contacts and plunger, and throw it back in!

Some pics of the contacts:

Can you just clean the contacts?

If you want to do the job twice you could. Look at the groove created in the dirty contact--that is not supposed to be there. Compare it to the top one, and you realize that the plunger, over time, has created that groove from constant yet mild grinding. The contacts need to be replaced when this happens because the plunger no longer comes into the contact with the contact.

jranger35 - That is the determination factor kickin in!! Great work. And thanks for the follow up post..pictures and all...

That kind of post is what helps massively when we do a search!!

Thanks 2000se. That's why I did it-- because if you have your 4runner long enough, you'll have to do this (at least if you want to save some cash) and it's easier if you can pinpoint the problem and then understand the steps to fix it.

One thing that I want to add. You can get the top 14mm bolt out of the bellhousing with only a 4" extension, socket and socket wrench (but it's tight). I had this crazy apparatus made up of a u-joint, 10" extension, 4" extension, and a pivoting head socket. It was crazy, but worked, yet I did the installation with what is described above.

This really helps me out. I have a similar problem that seems to come and go. I've cleaned the battery contacts, tested the battery fluid, and now it sounds like I'll have to pop the starter out. I'm thinking the cranking amps might be low..... I want to rule out the battery before I go through the hassel of removing the starter.

The basic problem is that I'll turn the key and the starter will halfway turn over or just click (usually just click). Before I cleaned the battery contacts the car started poorly with more frequency. A good example is, click, click, click, start. It's like there is no chance and then boom, it starts right up. My very first thought was a crappy wire somewhere in the ignition. Mainly because my the backlight on my temp control would go on and off.

How much did the contacts cost? Where did you order them? How long did they take to arrive? Oh yea, I have a 98 4Runner LE

Pretty much sounds like my problem, but I won't make any guarantees. Mine is the same year, a 98. Google Toyota 4runner starter contacts and take your pick. They cost me $20 plus $5 for shipping. I couldn't find them at any of the major auto parts stores (hmmm, $200 for a new starter or $20 for the parts to fix it?). Good luck!

good job on figuring out the problem and fixing it! Thanks for the write-up

I think im going to do this just as a preventative maintnence thing when i do my "big 3" upgrade since ill already be down there.