4Runner died...just now

[h7009]

Hey to all, my son inlaw just called me from Los Angeles area. He is litterally on the side of the road and his 4Runner won't start.

Says he has ignition as in he can turn it and everything comes on like he has power, BUT once he tries to turn it over it just "clicks"....I told him that sound like the stereotypical "starter" dying.

He says the sound isn't coming from there but from another location closer to the dash......Any ideas would be helpful.....CSM-H

 

[jmhole]

if its an auto try putting it in neutral as there is a switch in park that stops it from starting if its a bit dodgy, or just wiggle the stick in park a bit. happens to me sometimes.

 

[the_dingman]

Sounds like a relay clicking, or the starter as it's pretty much right under the dash. My best guess is that the battery is dead, and there may be either a missing belt, or a bad alternator.

 

[fishrod]

Ive had this happen when the battery terminals were not on fully.
One day it would just click, I pulled the terminals off and then put them back on again and it kicked over.
That doesnt really make sense but I swear that fixed it.
Perhaps disconnecting the battery reset the starter relay at the same time.

 

[jerm1812]

could be the timing belt. If it breaks then that's what will happen.

 

[SHRIKE]

What he ^^^ said..lol.. Relay behind the glove box??.... Push start it... short the starter...