4-Runner won't start repeat problem!

[intense321]

2000 4-Runner with 70,000 miles on it. I've never had a problem with it until recently. 3 months ago it wouldn't start. The starter kept turning over and wouldn't "catch". I took it into the shop and they said bad alternator which was replaced. I put in a brand new battery as well just for good measure. It's been 3 months and I'm having the exact same problem this morning. I charged the battery overnight to 100% charge so I know that's not the problem. Any ideas? What are the chances of having 2 bad alternators in 3 months?

 

[Toy-Yoda]

is your starter ok? what about yoru flywheel? What kind of noise is it making on start up?

 

[intense321]

Figured it out

Starter and flywheel are fine. I had it towed to a shop and found out the embarrassing truth. My wife had a "spare key" made that didn't have the vehicle protection microchip data on it. I was trying to start it with the spare key and it wouldn't start. Essentially with an unauthorized key, the engine cranks and doesn't ignite. The shop put in a Toyota-authorized key and the car started no problems. Unbelievable.

 

[airbag]

Re: Figured it out

Starter and flywheel are fine. I had it towed to a shop and found out the embarrassing truth. My wife had a "spare key" made that didn't have the vehicle protection microchip data on it. I was trying to start it with the spare key and it wouldn't start. Essentially with an unauthorized key, the engine cranks and doesn't ignite. The shop put in a Toyota-authorized key and the car started no problems. Unbelievable.

good to know it starts now. but also, it would have been very likely that you got 2 bad alternators in 3 months.. i got 3 bad ones in 1 month. they are mostly rebuilt and in my case it was the voltage regulator which doesnt get rebuilt, that was on my old infiniti g20.