88 22re starter problems

[autumnxtoxsehsa]

Hey guys and gals been having some issues with my 1988 toyota 4runner 22re for awhile now and haven't been able to figure it out. Sometimes when I have tried to start my truck the starter will just click and the clock would die as soon as I tried cranking the truck. But usually it would start up eventually after a few tries. But as of last week it won't start anymore, the starter just clicks and clicks. So first thing first I got my battery fully charged (optima red top), installed some new terminals and tried it again but it did the same thing. Decided to pull the starter off and replaced the contacts but still just clicks after I tried to start it, so I bought a new starter the other day and thought maybe the solenoid had gone bad in the old one but still only get clicks with the new starter. I also had my dad crank the truck as I held the starter relay and I can feel it working, I also tried jumping the starter by getting a wire and connecting it directly from the starter solenoid to the pos side of my battery and it only clicks. Next thing on my list is to check the grounds, probably take them off and clean them then reinstall them. I'm really stumped at this point, can't figure out whats causing this.

Another issue thats not that big of a deal is cold starts. Ever since I bought the truck from the previous owner I've always had to give it some gas on cold starts to stay alive, if i started it without doing that it will just die immediately. Its not that big of a deal but just figured I'd try and figure it out also.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'm new to toyota's and this motor so excuse me for my noob knowledge. Thanks alot

 

[the_dingman]

Take your battery into an Autozone and have it tested. It sounds like it's bad.

For the cold starts, I think you need a new cold start injector.

 

[autumnxtoxsehsa]

I took it there and it tested good. Then left it there for a day to get it slow charged. The battery is less then a year old.

 

[the_dingman]

You likely have a bad cable or ground strap. It surely sounds like a power issue.

 

[gman007]

starter issue

My 86 5 spd 4 runner has a similar or the same problem. I've determined that it's not the starter or battery. I think it's the starter relay not giving enough juice to engage the bendix on the starter because if I put the truck in gear and roll slightly and pop the clutch for a split second while turning the key it cranks fine and starts. Beware every time you turn the key and it clicks the fuel injection system is spraying fuel to the cylinders and can cause a flooding or hard starting condition. My relay is on the right side in the engine compartment behind the electrical box. i'm going to try and bypass the relay to be certain.

 

[the_dingman]

The starter 'relay' is the solenoid on the starter. The fuel relay could be an issue. I would also suspect a problem with your flywheel, or the starter not being mounted properly for the gears to mesh.

 

[SeattleMike]

My 85 had the same problem. It's a pair of contacts on the starter motor, mostly likely corroded over the years. The parts are cheap, the labor is not. Midas did mine ten years ago for $90 labor + parts.

I know you said you replaced the starter contacts. The pieces I am talking about are big and coppery, like one inch wide.

 

[RotaMan2]

This same question pops up every other week or so. Does anyone use the search button? Questions about STARTER PROBLEMS and starter relay have been discussed numerous times before. Use the search button.

 

[kingsrik7]

I'm having this exact same problem on my '87 22RTE. I found that having someone turn the key while you knock on the starter works. This is a temporary solution. I did everything me and my old man can think of, now we're out of ideas. This truck's my daily driver and it frustrates me to have a date turn the key while i hit the starter. ._.