Another starter problem dumb it down

[boarderc577]

OK look I'm not a mechanic at all. All I did was change my battery wires and now truck won't start. 88 4runner I read a ton of stuff about starters and fixes but I really need it all dumbed down. I cleaned where my wires connect real good to ensure it wasn't a bad connection. Yes the battery is good. What is this wire In the pics? it's in really bad shape and my best guess is it goes to the relay but it disappears somewhere in the wire harness looks like someone had electric tape on it as well. How do I go about replacing in in terms that in idiot could understand please in third pic you can see where it's plug into the starter and looks like it's about to fall out. I wiggled around removed it and put back in but sill just getting the click from the relay.

 

[mikekfr]

You changed the battery cables....so you loosened the starter electrical contacts (nuts) and made sure to refasten every wire that was there prior? How bout the battery cable ends up on the battery side>?....can you move them side to side w/ you hands? If so, they're not tight enough, and that will give you a click.

 

[boarderc577]

I doubled checked it before I posted battery + to starter is tight both ends. Battery - to engine tight on both ends. Even lightly sanded at the block for negative to make sure ground was good only had to take one nut off at starter to remove cable

 

[RAD4Runner]

What is this wire In the pics? it's in really bad shape and my best guess is it goes to the relay...
...still just getting the click from the relay.

Picture not very clear. Could it be this wire to the positive side of the starter solenoid coil? If it is, yes it goes to the starter relay. However, IF you have a 22RE 1986-1988 4Runner, remember that TOYOTA ITSELF WIRED THE CRANKING SYSTEM WRONG. Pls see my signature.

Make this little jumper and connect it to the SPADE terminal of the starter solenoid.


Close switch as you're trying to crank. Let us know what happens.

Also when you say relay clicks, exactly which one? A problem well-stated is a problem half-solved.

Got a multi-meter? Next to our senses it is the most important and useful diagnostic tool.

Well go from there.

 

[boarderc577]

Yea that's the wire. Thing is never had problem with starting till I put new battery cables in. Had wife sit in car and could feel and here the starter relay on fender area click. Pretty sure I could here a faint click from the starter itself as well. Thinking that wire itself is the problem. In one of my pictures you can see the electrical tape around it. Truck is still new to me. I don't have multi meter but I'm gonna get one. I'm really late in the game to be a garage mechanic but better late then never. Wish I would have learned more when I was younger.

 

[boarderc577]

Thanks for the responses I received, So after learning all about the starter and how it all works. I tested the battery and was getting the right Voltage however I had a friend bring a load tester and sure enough the battery was shot. Must have been just unlucky it happened right when I replaced my cables.