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Old 05-19-2013, 04:14 PM #1
Veblen64 Veblen64 is offline
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2003 4runner won't start. ... Battey? Starter? Fuse?

My 2003 V8 4runner SE won't start.

I'm trying to figure out whether it's the battery, the starter, or something else. The symptoms are a little odd.

I had had zero indications of a problem until yesterday when it just wouldn't start. I turned the key, and the starter (or solenoid) just clicked. After a couple of tried, I could not even get the clicking any more, but the truck seemed to go into some sort of alarm mode. The horn started making continual clicking sound, as if it was trying to sound the security alarm but didn't have enough power. Also, along with the horn clicking, the alarm system red light/button on the dash was flashing and clicking. (The truck has a factory upgraded alarm system, which I never use; I just use the standard alarm system.)

The only way to stop the horn clicking was to disconnect the battery. Then I charged up an external

I thought it was probably the problem was a drained or dead battery, so I attempted to jumpstart with a 300 amp external jumpstart power pack. As soon as I connected the power pack, the 4runner went into alarm mode, with the horn blaring. I was able to shut the alarm off with the key fob. So, I thought ah-hah, it was a dead battery, and expected the thing to start wi the jumpstarter. But it did not start. I still only got the clicking from the starter again. And after a few attempts, started to drain down. (There is a charge status indicator on it.)

So now I'm thinking maybe it's the starter that's bad, and it's drawing a whole lot of current, which drains the battery and jumpstarter faster than normal.

Does that sound logical? Anyone else have experience with a similar problem?

With older vehicles in my youth, I would climb underneath with a hammer or a rock and smack the starter to advance it, and often that would (a) get the vehicle started and (b) confirm that the starter was the problem. But on this vehicle everything is so tight that I don't think I can even reach the starter to give it a whack.

The battery is only three or four years old, but I don't drive the 4Runner much, and usually only for short trips, so is it possibly that the battery does not get charged enough with that kind of driving?

There battery cables are very clean and secure. No corrosion to speak of.

Is there a chance that the problem is just some fuse or relay? I came across references to several such issues in searching this forum. I would hate to pay for a tow and garage work only to discover that it was a silly fuse I could have replaced myself.

Is it possible the 300 amp jumpstarter is insufficient for the jump? Maybe the battery actually is the whole problem?
Thanks for any wisdom on the matter.
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Old 05-19-2013, 04:41 PM #2
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Not enough power

From what I remember from many years in fleet service, a cold engine needs about 50 amps per cylinder. Hence 400 amps. Your battery device doesn't seem to put out enough amperage. Try jumping from a known good battery with heavy jumper cable, not Wally World type. It sounds like your only problem is not enough current. Let us know how it worked out.
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Old 05-19-2013, 09:13 PM #3
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I agree, replace the battery or use a better source to jump from. Or maybe you didn't have a good connection. Sometimes you will have enough to run accessories but not good enough clamp to start engine
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Old 05-19-2013, 09:19 PM #4
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On a 2003, I'm going to bet the starter contacts are also shot.





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Old 05-19-2013, 10:00 PM #5
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Yah I would start by trying to jump start with another vehicle. Even then you might have to let it sit jumped to the other vehicle for a couple minutes before it will start. Had to do that when getting a boost from a 4cyl Subaru.

Also you won't be able to tap the starter because its hidden under the intake manifold lol
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Old 06-08-2013, 05:52 PM #6
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Thanks, everybody. All is well now.

I pulled the battery and brought it to the parts store where I had bought it. It was still under warranty; bought it about two years ago.

They gave it a long deep charge, tested it, and found no problems.

So I reinstalled it, and the 4Runner started right up. Over two weeks have passed, and no problem anymore.

Conclusion:

1. It seems that there is no problem with the battery, charging system, or starter. My best guess is that I had left an interior light on, draining the battery. Additionally, I bike to work and don't drive the truck much at all, so perhaps the occasional short trip that I take drains the battery.

2. The portable battery-jumping unit indeed does not produce enough current to jump this V-8 if the battery is too severely discharged.

3. If you have to repeatedly connect and disconnect the battery in this vehicle under these conditions, the alarm will sound every time power is reapplied. After several iterations of this, it finally occurred to me to temporarily remove the horn fuse!
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Old 06-09-2013, 10:45 PM #7
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you're a perfect candidate for a trickle charger purchase.
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Old 10-20-2017, 08:43 PM #8
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Was this issue ever solved? I'm experiencing the same issue on an 06' V6 4Runner and I've verified the following

Battery at 13V
All ACC, IG1, IG2, ST signals being sent to ECU
At Starter Relay I'm seeing 13V Battery on Pin 5, and 6.50V at Pin 1 from ECU when cranking (ALLDATA says 6V+ is good signal from ECU)

Ground wire OHM checked good
Positive cable checked good

Pulled entire harness from battery to starter, scuffed connections, OHM checked good

Replaced starter and relay still nothing....

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I feel I'm missing something obvious here.
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