'99 4Runner, 4Cyl. 2WD won't start when hot

[toy4runr]

OK, so everybody is familiar with the starter contact issues that are common on the V-6 4Runner, but this is a 4cylinder. We just bought the truck 2 months ago. The day I bought the truck the problem revealed it's self, I stopped for gas and filled up and then the truck wouldn't start. When I turn the key to the "Start" position I can hear the relay click but there is no sound or anything from the starter. After about 30 minutes it started up like nothing was the matter.
I got the truck home and inspected the starter. It was a pretty new reman unit from Autozone or Advance Auto, something like that. I could see where the previous owner had been banging on the starter to get it to work, the side of the starter was all dinged up. While I was doing my inspection I also noticed that the starter relay had been replaced too. Apparently the previous owners experienced this problem, were unable to properly diagnose and repair the problem and so they traded it in and I bought their problem.
Nice, huh? :dammit:
Anyway, I figured this starter may be bad so I got a new one from Advance and the problem seemed to go away for a week or so then it returned. So I got a new reman'd starter but this time from Toyota. Problem went away for three weeks then returned sporadically. But only when the truck has been running and is hot.
Is it possible that the Toyota starter needs new contacts? Is checking the contacts the next logical step in making a diagnosis here? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

OK, so everybody is familiar with the starter contact issues that are common on the V-6 4Runner, but this is a 4cylinder. We just bought the truck 2 months ago. The day I bought the truck the problem revealed it's self, I stopped for gas and filled up and then the truck wouldn't start. When I turn the key to the "Start" position I can hear the relay click but there is no sound or anything from the starter. After about 30 minutes it started up like nothing was the matter.
I got the truck home and inspected the starter. It was a pretty new reman unit from Autozone or Advance Auto, something like that. I could see where the previous owner had been banging on the starter to get it to work, the side of the starter was all dinged up. While I was doing my inspection I also noticed that the starter relay had been replaced too. Apparently the previous owners experienced this problem, were unable to properly diagnose and repair the problem and so they traded it in and I bought their problem.
Nice, huh? :dammit:
Anyway, I figured this starter may be bad so I got a new one from Advance and the problem seemed to go away for a week or so then it returned. So I got a new reman'd starter but this time from Toyota. Problem went away for three weeks then returned sporadically. But only when the truck has been running and is hot.
Is it possible that the Toyota starter needs new contacts? Is checking the contacts the next logical step in making a diagnosis here? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

If you've gone through that many starters and still have this same issue, I would say that's a safe bet.

 

[toy4runr]

Alrighty then, I'll pull it and check out the contacts. Thanks for the reply. It's real disappointing that I have this problem with a starter that I got form the dealership. I will update when I look inside and let you know if it really has worn contacts.

 

[toy4runr]

OK, here's a follow-up. When I called to order the new contacts I was informed that the Toyota reman starter had new contacts and plunger in it. I was advised to check and clean ALL battery connections, meaning both ends of the positive and negative cables. I wasn't thrilled with the condition of the negative terminal connection on the battery (which is weird because I had just cleaned the battery terminals like a week or so ago.), and it got cleaned along with the rest of them. Since I did that the truck has not failed to start when hot. Maybe the problem is solved.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

OK, here's a follow-up. When I called to order the new contacts I was informed that the Toyota reman starter had new contacts and plunger in it. I was advised to check and clean ALL battery connections, meaning both ends of the positive and negative cables. I wasn't thrilled with the condition of the negative terminal connection on the battery (which is weird because I had just cleaned the battery terminals like a week or so ago.), and it got cleaned along with the rest of them. Since I did that the truck has not failed to start when hot. Maybe the problem is solved.

It's almost bittersweet when it's something so simple.

Good stuff