4 banger starts sometimes-buzzing noise

[samwalters]

My 1997 4 banger was getting sluggish to start. Now it only starts sometimes. When I try to crank it over there's a buzzing noise coming from the right side of the engine block. The battery is brand new too. I tried searching but the search function on tapatalk sucks and the full website is slow on my phone. Any help is much appreciated. I'm about to read my whole chitlons manual too.

 

[UnderFire]

Probably the starter taking a dump, if it is I'd suggest you fix it now, because one day it'll stop starting altogether.

 

[samwalters]

Yeah I bought a different 4runner right before it started doing this. Is there anyway to test it to be sure?

 

[UnderFire]

Yeah I bought a different 4runner right before it started doing this. Is there anyway to test it to be sure?

I'd just have someone tap on the starter with a hammer when it's making the buzzing sound, if it starts to crank when they're tapping on it, that means it's definitely the starter, that's just the way I know, I'm sure there's a more exacting way to do it lol.

 

[KidVermicious]

Yeah I bought a different 4runner right before it started doing this. Is there anyway to test it to be sure?

Yup. Take your battery down to get tested, it could be bad. If it checks out, run a jumper wire between the starter solenoid and the positive battery stud. If it still buzzes, it could be a bad battery or bad contacts in the starter. If it always cranks and never buzzes, your trouble is in the wiring between the ignition cylinder and the starter.

Be aware that doing this will crank the engine if it works (although it won't start unless the key is turned), so don't have your tongue hanging down in the engine fan or anything.

 

[samwalters]

Thanks alot! I'm going to mess with it today and see what happens.