4runner intermittently not turn over

[mike_m]

Hi,
For the last month, every once in awhile I'll go start my 4runner and engine will not turn over. I get nothing, no clicking etc. Acts like a bad battery, but battery has checked out fine and battery terminals are clean. When the engine doesn't turn over, I just keep tying by turning the key to off and then to start. After about 3 times of doing this, car will turn over fine and start right up. I'm familiar with the starter contact issues, but from what I've read, the clue is the clicking the starter makes. Again my doesn't click, so I'm wondering if I have either a bad connection down at the starter or if the solenoid itself is going out. Has anyone experience same issue and it was the starter contacts? I have ordered the contacts and plunger. Vehicle has 230,000 on original starter so replacing theses items can't be a bad thing. Thanks. Vehicle is 2000 4runner with v6 and 5 speed (btw. Not the switch at clutch pedal). Thanks for any advice. Mike M

 

[TheDurk]

Hi,
For the last month, every once in awhile I'll go start my 4runner and engine will not turn over. I get nothing, no clicking etc. Acts like a bad battery, but battery has checked out fine and battery terminals are clean. When the engine doesn't turn over, I just keep tying by turning the key to off and then to start. After about 3 times of doing this, car will turn over fine and start right up. I'm familiar with the starter contact issues, but from what I've read, the clue is the clicking the starter makes. Again my doesn't click, so I'm wondering if I have either a bad connection down at the starter or if the solenoid itself is going out. Has anyone experience same issue and it was the starter contacts? I have ordered the contacts and plunger. Vehicle has 230,000 on original starter so replacing theses items can't be a bad thing. Thanks. Vehicle is 2000 4runner with v6 and 5 speed (btw. Not the switch at clutch pedal). Thanks for any advice. Mike M

While the click is common, I can certainly imagine a way the plunger and contacts could fail that would lock up in such a way that no click is heard. Don't overthink this. With that many miles, just go ahead and change the silly contacts/plunger. I'd then bench test it before I put it back so I'd be sure of what I had.

Before you pull it, just verify you have 12V+ full time on the big post and on the small post with the key turned to start. Then, if it's not the contacts, it's the whole starter and you have not done that work for nothing. Good news is 5-speed is much easier to pull than the slushboxes.

 

[02gixxersix]

Do you get lights on the dash and everything? Just no clicking or spinning from the starter? If so it just needs to be rebuilt, I'm sure.

 

[CB3G_GM]

Hi,
For the last month, every once in awhile I'll go start my 4runner and engine will not turn over. I get nothing, no clicking etc. Acts like a bad battery, but battery has checked out fine and battery terminals are clean. When the engine doesn't turn over, I just keep tying by turning the key to off and then to start. After about 3 times of doing this, car will turn over fine and start right up. I'm familiar with the starter contact issues, but from what I've read, the clue is the clicking the starter makes. Again my doesn't click, so I'm wondering if I have either a bad connection down at the starter or if the solenoid itself is going out. Has anyone experience same issue and it was the starter contacts? I have ordered the contacts and plunger. Vehicle has 230,000 on original starter so replacing theses items can't be a bad thing. Thanks. Vehicle is 2000 4runner with v6 and 5 speed (btw. Not the switch at clutch pedal). Thanks for any advice. Mike M

Mine started doing this shortly after I purchased it. Pulled the starter and the plunger and one of the contact points were very worn out. Replaced everything and its not been a problem since. Where did you get your rebuild parts?

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

Another vote for starter contacts!

 

[mike_m]

Thanks guys. I have ordered the parts just waiting for them to arrive. Will check for voltage. I get full lights and everything when starting it up. I first noticed this when the weather was starting to get cold (40s for Tucson) and at first start up during the morning for about 3 days straight, but have had it at other times as well. Lately its been fine. Anyway, thanks for the responses and happy holidays to all.

Mike M

 

[mike_m]

Starter Update

Update: Replaced the contacts. Typical contact side was very worn down and other side was good. Glad I did it, but even with 5 speed job is still a PITA. Starter was removed from wheel well. For those who have a v6/5speed with the 1.4kw starter, here's the Toyota part numbers I used. Everything fit fine and kits includes everything.

1) 28226-74070, Starter Kit
2) 28226-22050, Starter Kit
3) 28235-55050 Plunger
4) 28175-55050 Gasket, cover

Thanks

Mike M

 

[Rayford]

This non-start happened to me today. 1997 3.4 5 speed. I have been having intermittent starting problems since I bought the vehicle a year ago. I discovered some wiring problems due to a short in one of the fuel level sensing wires, that burned the wire and also many neighboring wires. I pulled out all of the wires, including the big harness behind the steering wheel, and replaced wires as needed. It has been working fine since then, about 3 months now. The one weird thing is that I have to pull the bright light flasher stalk to get the starter to engage.

Today I pulled into a buddy's driveway to upgrade the horns- similar setup, but I put in a fuse and relay to provide power to the horns directly from the battery. I also replaced the headlights with new, slightly more powerful ones. I went to leave and... no start. Everything else works. I can feel the starter relay vibrating when the ignition switch is turned on. I can hear the faintest sigh coming from the starter area, but definitely not one click.

I removed the new horn, swapped back in the old light bulbs, still nothing. Probably it is the original starter with 250k miles. Is a new starter the obvious starting point? Other suggestions?