Chasing starter issue

[aeb28]

I am having problems getting my 03 v8 to start. At first it was intermittant, for a day, then today it will not start at all.

Battery is charged and has good connections. The solenoid clicks with I turn the key, but starter is not doing anything. I think it is probably dirty contacts, or possibly a neutral safety switch.

The car will not start in any gear though, including neutral.

I need to check the starter's ground, that is my first suspect. I do not have a manual. Can anyone tell me where the starter grounds to?

The starter is under the intake manifold. Is there a way to check the connections on the starter without removing the whole intake?

Also, where is the starter solenoid, is it attached to the starter? I am by myself so I cant trace the sound and turn the key at the same time.

Thank you in advance!

 

[ChaosStarter]

All Toyota starters ground naturally through the starter cases to the engine block itself. They don't have separate ground wires.

 

[aeb28]

All starters ground naturally through the starter cases to the engine block itself. They don't have separate ground wires.

I had a Ford Tempo when I was 16... it had a ground wire. The only reason I remember is becasue the exact same thing happened, I cleaned the connection and it fixed it.

So is there no way to rule out the starter without taking the entire indake manifold off??

Also, I just got it to start again I fooled with the shifter and it started, but now it doesn't again. Where is the neutral safety switch located?

 

[ChaosStarter]

I had a Ford Tempo when I was 16... it had a ground wire. The only reason I remember is becasue the exact same thing happened, I cleaned the connection and it fixed it.

So is there no way to rule out the starter without taking the entire indake manifold off??

Also, I just got it to start again I fooled with the shifter and it started, but now it doesn't again. Where is the neutral safety switch located?

Ok. Well all Toyota starters. I'm not going to count those old Fords with that stupid relay module for the starters. :tongue1:

 

[Xetabur]

My 2000 LC has the same issue and of course the starter is in the same location. It just started doing this about two months ago. I turn the key and a single clunck and no start. After a few tries it will start. There is a thread over on Ih8mud about the EFI fuse in the fuse box located in the engine compartment causing the issues. Also, the immobilizer not turning off with the key in the ignition. I also have an 07 T4R 4.7 and hope I never have this issue.

 

[aeb28]

I think I got it fixed, at least for now. Turned out to be the neutral safety switch on the transmission. For the bla bla bla on a similar thread regarding the issue where the switch can be taken apart and contacts cleaned, check here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/119812-99-not-starting-neutral-safety-switch.html

In my scenario, I could not remove the switch. There are threads that seat up against the post that protrudes from the transmission. It is kind of difficult to explain and I didnt get a picture. I fought with it for a few hours but long story short, removing it would have destroyed part of the neutral safety switch critical for mounting. I did not want to buy a new one if I could help it, they are about $170.

So, what I did do was remove the bolt holding the swith in place, so that it could pivot freely around the post connecting it to the transmission. I hosed it down with some KRoil, then followed it up with some QD Contact Cleaner. I cycled quickly back and forth quite a few times in hopes it would wear away any corrosion on the contacts and work some of the cleaners in. You could accomplish the same thing in theory by shifting through the gears back and forth, but it would probably do more harm than good. By disconnecting bolt on switch connecting to the transmission, you can turn it by hand with no effect on the tranny.

I reassembled it with fingers crossed... sure enough it fires right up every time.