1990 4Runner V6 - Will Not restart after 15 Min Warmup

[mderrick72]

I have a 1990 4Runner - V6 and have been having problems with restarting my vehicle after 15 - 20 minutes of driving time, with the engine warmed up. When I try to restart the vehicle, I get no clicking noise from the starter ... and the voltage indicator on the dash goes down to 1/3 from the left. It seems to indicate that there is no voltage from the battery. All the electronics inside work, Headlights, Windows, Sunroof, and radio. I have replaced the Alternator, Battery ( with a new Die Hard Gold Ed.), and New Starter. I also replaced the Positive Battery Terminal and checked both Positive and Negative Cables to make sure they were not defective. When I have the truck running, I measure 15 Volts across the Battery, which tells me that the Alternator is charging. When the Vehicle is not running, the Battery measures 12.5 - 13 Volts. I have also checked the Starter and Ignition Relays and they are OK. AND last ... I have checked all Fuses inside vehicle and under Hood ... no issues ... and I replaced the Alternator Fuse with a new one from Toyota. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

 

[4runnerBrett]

Can you tell us what it does when you try and start it. Also does it start again after a hour or what?

 

[Bad_Vision]

heat soaked solenoid maybe

 

[mderrick72]

I was able to restart the vehicle today ... and tried it several times. No problems with restarting while it was cold. I then drove around for 10 minutes ... allowing the engine to get hot. The Temp Gauge was in normal range ... in the middle ... not even close to the red indicator. Was able to accelerate ... and open the windows ... sunroof included. The battery gauge moved a little ... but was in the normal charging area. When I took the vehicle on the road ... drove to 30mph ... turned off the ignition .. then able to turn it and restart. After 10 minutes ... Tried it again ... and would not start. Was able to pop clutch ... and engine re-fires. No loss in power or acceleration. I measured the voltage across battery while it was running ... 15 volts. After I turned off the vehicle ... the battery still reads 13 volts ... even at the starter. Does this seam like a relay ... or heat related problem.

 

[Bad_Vision]

ok when you say not starting does the starter turn the engine?
interesting if it fires with the clutch then it can only be ignition related like the key switch.

 

[mderrick72]

Its been over 2 hours. The Engine has cooled off. I turn the ignition on and Nothing happens. Normally, if there is not enough power to turn the starter over ... you can at least here the solenoid kick. I hear nothing. I can turn the headlights on, and turn the ignition on, nothing happens with the starter ... and the headlights do not go out. So to me there is still enough power in the battery. But the Battery Gauge still drops to 1/3. This problem all started when I plugged in one of those 12v air compressors in the cig. lighter. It burned it out ... but never burned out the fuse. I've had the Battery , Starter, and Alternator rechecked at the Auto Store and they pass. Everything points to heat related ... but I have insulated the Pos and Neg wires with Heat Shield Material. I welcome any suggestions....

 

[Bad_Vision]

refer to my first post heat soaked solenoid will do that.
ok here is a test for you smack the starter drive box with a hammer then try to start it hot. if this works then you can ether smack it with a hammer every time you start it or replace the starter. i personally would start by replacing the starter its 95$ but if the starter isnt firing then that to me would be faulty.

 

[mderrick72]

I will give that a try tomorrow. If that resolves the problem ... then I know that they offer at Pep Boys ... a starter solenoid heat shield cloth wrap that will help keep the heat away. Before I posted this ... I checked out your Cheap Tricks page ... and was very helpful in narrowing down the problem. Thx

 

[Bad_Vision]

ok but the damage is done keeping it cool will not fix or help. you need to replace the starter RockAuto Auto Parts has them for less then 100$

my motto do right do it once.

 

[vctehbro]

ok i had a very similar problem on a old 85 dodge ramcharger. the ignition coil was shot. Replaced it and it worked perfect after that. I know you said nothing happens when you turn the key but it might be worth to take a look?

 

[Bad_Vision]

not the coil because he was able to restart the truck by popping the clutch if his coil was bad he wouldn't even be able to start the truck.

 

[mderrick72]

The Problem was found to be in the Wiring that engaged the Starter. Somewhere in the wiring harness ... the wire was not carrying enough current. The Solution was to run a new wire to the starter. Now its reliable ... and can get another 100K out of it.

 

[Bad_Vision]

good deal!