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.
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.
