1999 T4R SR 5 inconsistent starting.

[Terry C]

I have recently been having trouble with mine not starting. The battery is about a month old, my first thought was the alternator, so we checked it. It's charging at 13.9 so it's still doing it's job. I had to get a jump two days in a row. Any thoughts?

 

[jrice00]

Can you better describe the problem while trying to start?

 

[Terry C]

It won't start at times, and as soon as you hook cables to it, it starts.

 

[StreetCreeper]

It won't start at times, and as soon as you hook cables to it, it starts.

Loose connection somewhere maybe?

 

[the great him]

check your battery terminals... tighten them if need be. also check your grounds. sounds like you could also have a lose ground and when you hook to the second car you use their ground and that works for the time being.

 

[Terry C]

Thanks I'll look over the grounds tomorrow also I'm gonna check the connections to the starter as well. I'll let you know.

 

[threadlessclimber]

I've been learning the hard way with inconsistent starting and there are some details that can point you to what direction to go to for fixing the problem. Are you getting a clicking sound? Do the electronics dim? Sorry just need more information--but checking the simple things is the best place to start. I'd look at the battery connections first, like others have mentioned. My truck didn't start last night, so no ill intent meant.

 

[Panda96]

Had the same issue when I bought mine recently. Replaced the starter contacts and haven't had an issue since. That'd be my guess. Starter contacts or the starter itself. $20 for contacts. More for a starter.

 

[Terry C]

No need for anyone to apologize, to answer your question everything else seems to be working fine, all of the electronics do. There is no dimming and yes I do get a click when I turn the key.

 

[Illicitdream]

No need for anyone to apologize, to answer your question everything else seems to be working fine, all of the electronics do. There is no dimming and yes I do get a click when I turn the key.

Starter contacts then. Mine did the same thing and had very similar symptoms. I changed the contacts and "voila" starts every time. My assumption is that you are in Knoxville, TN? Cause man I was hoping someone in Knoxville, IA just joined....

 

[Terry C]

Yep good ole rocky top TN

 

[Terry C]

I will take a look at the starter contacts hope that works.

 

[threadlessclimber]

The alternator is charging but was the battery dead when the truck needed to be jumped?

 

[Terry C]

No not at all. When I tested the battery it tested fine as well

 

[threadlessclimber]

If everything's tight on the battery--I'd think it most likely is the starter contacts. Some have replaced them without pulling the starter completely out of the truck. Autos are harder to get at then manuals. My contacts stuck one night in an empty parking lot--pretty much burnt out my starter.

 

[7echo]

Where are you guys getting your contacts from? Dealers, or is there a good aftermarket version?