'93 T4R Trouble Starting

[Zinarac]

So within the last few months my 1993 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 Manual has been having trouble starting. I'll turn the key and it will sometimes just click like battery is dead, but other times start normally.

I just recently had the battery and terminal cables replaced which did not fix the problem. This problem seems to be happening more and more as the days go by? Any ideas on what the issue could be or how I could find out?

 

[rustyrazor]

I would say that your starter solenoid isn't engaging. It could be that your solenoid is toast or maybe your battery is weak. I'd test the cells in the battery first. You may want to take the battery to a parts store to get it tested if it's sealed. If not than you could find instructions on how to test the cells on the internet somewhere. If the battery is good than it's probably the solenoid.

 

[Zinarac]

I'm guessing that it is the starter considering that my battery is about 2 months old. My old battery tested weak due to corrosion, but I had the battery replaced and the battery cables replaced to prevent furthur corrosion. My new battery was installed by my mechanic and was brand new so it shouldn't be faulty.

If the starter is bad would you recommend getting a brand new one or do the refurbished one's do the job just as well?

 

[rustyrazor]

I'm pretty cheap and a starter is pretty expensive. I'd make sure that it can't be fixed before you buy one, and personally I'd call up the scrap yard to see if they have a starter.

I was thinking that if you have a manual transmission that you should make sure that the clutch switch is working properly. I've heard that those switches can cause trouble sometimes.

 

[rustyrazor]

I did a quick search for starter problems and I came across the pate below. It's from some other forum, hopefully no one is offended.

:

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread/t-102766.html

 

[Zinarac]

Thanks for all the information and looking into this problem for me. I will have my battery tested just to make sure.

I thought it may have been the clutch switch, but when i try to start the truck with the clutch out, it makes no noise at all. When the clutch is pressed in it will sometimes just click, or struggle to start. Also if I use the clutch cancel switch it has the same problems.

The info on that other forum is a little over my head since I am a newbie when it comes to working on vehicles. My starter on my 1992 Toyota Pickup 22RE went out awhile back and it had the same symptoms. I replaced the starter on that truck and it worked perfect after that. I only spent about $75 and 2 hours of my time. So not too bad.

 

[n8buddy]

try tapping on the starter with a hammer while someone turns the key (when it just clicks without turning). this help the gears get moving and will tell you if the stared is about toast.

 

[ovrrdrive]

The starter contacts are worn out. You can fix this by either installing new contacts or by just installing a new starter if you don't think you can do the contacts yourself.


I've seen it myself a hundred times and it's so common that 4crawler even has a how to page on it.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

 

[toy4]

you can ruin the starter (if thats not your problem) on your 4runner dont hit it with a hammer
you will break the ceramic in it
thats what i was told.It works on older ones. i had the exact same problem. and it was the starter