4Runner wont start (starter problem?)

Party Boy

Party Boy

Member
Never had any issues before, but all of a sudden my 4runner wont start. I assumed it was a dead battery because my wife was the last one to drive it and I thought maybe she left a light on or something. It started right up with jumper cables and I went to go get my battery checked (I had just replaced my battery a few months prior, so I was confused). Battery is in perfect shape after running a test on it. I don't think it's my alternator since there is no battery light on in my dash. Could it be my starter? It clicks once when I try to turn it over, but nothing else. It starts up when I'm using jumper cables for some reason, and after I jump it it will start perfectly for a day or two, then the same problem returns. I'm not super savy, but if any of you recognize this problem your feedback would be appreciated.
 
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The single click is sign of your starter contacts failing. You can buy replacements for fairly cheap and install them yourself. There are a few threads around on how to do it either by removing the starter and replacing them, or even replacing the contacts while the starter is still in the engine bay.
 
BlazeRunner said:
Replacing contacts without removing starter from engine bay

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/63228-another-starter-contacts-removal-thread.html
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for the help. I don't have a lot of tools or know how, but with that write up it doesn't look too hard to do it myself. You have potentially saved me a few hundred bucks. I tried looking up starter threads earlier, but I never saw that one. Thanks for the response. I'll follow up with how things went.
 
It's not the contacts... Check your wires/terminals for a bad poor connection, also check the main wire coming off the alt. Bad connections will do this. If you were able to start it with jumper cables, then I'm gonna bet you have a bad connection at the battery
 
Party Boy said:
It clicks once when I try to turn it over, but nothing else. It starts up when I'm using jumper cables for some reason, and after I jump it it will start perfectly for a day or two, then the same problem returns.
Click to expand...

What clicks exactly? Starter relay (fellow embers can point out where that's located) ? Starter solenoid (piggybacked on starter motor)?

BlazeRunner said:
The single click is sign of your starter contacts failing. You can buy replacements for fairly cheap and install them yourself. There are a few threads around on how to do it either by removing the starter and replacing them, or even replacing the contacts while the starter is still in the engine bay.
Click to expand...

Agree, but only IF, and only IF, it is the starter solenoid that clicks and starter motor does not turn AND connections between battery, starter and ground battery are good.
 
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I figured before I committed to changing out the contacts on the starter or anything like that I'd cover the basics and clean and tighten the connections.

Upon inspection everything looked clean, but I decided to clean the posts and connections since I did see a TINY bit of corrosion that I missed when I cleaned it about a month ago when I replaced the battery. I don't know if that was what solved it, or if I tightened something that was previously loose, but it starts right up no problem now. I tightened up all the cables from the battery to the alternator. Nothing seemed to be loose, but I was able to tighten somethings a little bit more. Either way, I feel like an idiot. I was close to committing to a much more difficult project than simply cleaning and tightening the battery connections. My mind always assumes the worst sometimes and I freak out about it instead of checking the basics.
 
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Ensure Bare Metal to Bare metal contact

Party Boy said:
I figured before I committed to changing out the contacts on the starter or anything like that I'd cover the basics and clean and tighten the connections.

Upon inspection everything looked clean, but I decided to clean the posts and connections since I did see a TINY bit of corrosion that I missed when I cleaned it about a month ago when I replaced the battery. I don't know if that was what solved it, or if I tightened something that was previously loose, but it starts right up no problem now. I tightened up all the cables from the battery to the alternator. Nothing seemed to be loose, but I was able to tighten somethings a little bit more. Either way, I feel like an idiot. I was close to committing to a much more difficult project than simply cleaning and tightening the battery connections. My mind always assumes the worst sometimes and I freak out about it instead of checking the basics.
Click to expand...

Cleaning battery and ground connections so you have bare metal to bare metal contact makes sense.
Free of powdery sign of corrosion is not good enough.
Gray metal is not good enough.
Bare metal of battery posts (lead) and connector (lead or steel) should be silvery and shiny. Anything less than that is not good enough.
 
Party Boy said:
I figured before I committed to changing out the contacts on the starter or anything like that, I'd cover the basics and clean and tighten the connections.

Upon inspection everything looked clean, but I decided to clean the posts and connections since I did see a TINY bit of corrosion that I missed when I cleaned it about a month ago when I replaced the battery. I don't know if that was what solved it, or if I tightened something that was previously loose, but it starts right up, no problem, now. I tightened up all the cables from the battery to the alternator. Nothing seemed to be loose, but I was able to tighten some things a little bit more.
Click to expand...

did you clean any connections other than just on the battery itself?

and how loose were your cables from the battery to the alternator?
 
2008 4Runner cranks but won't keep running, Check Engine and Oil Temp / Oil light on

Hello all, I am having an odd issue with my 2008 V6 4Runner not starting.
The starter keeps going even after I stop turning the key!! It acts as if it isn't getting any gas. I did disconnect the battery (both poles for 10 minutes) to reset the computer as suggested in another thread. I did check the EFI fuse(es). The Check Engine Light is on as well as the Oil Temp A/F and the Oil Light. Just 3h earlier I drove the car and it was fine. A few days back I jumped another car. I also noticed that my clock would sometimes reset as if the battery disconnected. I'd hate to have it towed to a shop just to find that it's some stupid fuse or so... Anyone have a idea what else this could be?
It is late but tomorrow I might try pulling and testing ALL the fuses. Thanks for your help guys!
 
OverlanderSA said:
Hello all, I am having an odd issue with my 2008 V6 4Runner not starting.
The starter keeps going even after I stop turning the key!! It acts as if it isn't getting any gas. I did disconnect the battery (both poles for 10 minutes) to reset the computer as suggested in another thread. I did check the EFI fuse(es). The Check Engine Light is on as well as the Oil Temp A/F and the Oil Light. Just 3h earlier I drove the car and it was fine. A few days back I jumped another car. I also noticed that my clock would sometimes reset as if the battery disconnected. I'd hate to have it towed to a shop just to find that it's some stupid fuse or so... Anyone have a idea what else this could be?
It is late but tomorrow I might try pulling and testing ALL the fuses. Thanks for your help guys!
Click to expand...

Wrong forum subsection. You need the 4th gen sub section: https://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/

You can also try this google specific search that only searches the 4th gen section: https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&rlz=1C1QJDB_enUS784US793&ei=t4LVXIrADYvAsAWWxZ_4Dw&q=site%3Awww.toyota-4runner.org%2F4th-gen-t4rs%2F&oq=site%3Awww.toyota-4runner.org%2F4th-gen-t4rs%2F&gs_l=psy-ab.12...4060.12291..14522...3.0..0.79.697.12......0....2j1..gws-wiz.4DyM-1GtRTY
 
My 2000 4Runner is doing the same thing, I will be sure to try all these suggestions and get back with you guys to let you know!
 
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