Does it Sound Like the Starter Relay is Failing?

[Jakeepoo3]

Yes, this non-start thing had only happened 3 or 4 times before, where I'd turn the key and nothing. I'd immediately take the key out and try again, and it would fire up then... until last week (or the week before), where every time I tried to start it it wouldn't turn over. So, reading some threads I tested the starter relay. It seemed to work, as I had continuity on pins 1 and 2, and no continuity on any other combination of 2 pins. Then I connected some test leads to pins 1 and 2, and the other end of the leads on the battery. Once I touched the leads on the battery I heard the relay click, and now putting my meter on pins 3 and 5 I had power. So I thought the relay is good. I put it back in and still couldn't get it to turn over. I took the relay out again and put a jumper on the receptacle for pins 3 and 5 and it immediately turned over. I pulled the jumper out and turned to ignition to the run position, stuck the jumper back in, and it started normally. Turned it off and put the relay back it and it continued to start normally, and has ever since. I did buy a new relay, but haven't installed it yet. I will, though. I will also replace the starter contacts, mostly as preventive, but also in case that is the source of the intermittent no start problem, which many here who know far more than me believe is my problem anyway.

Do female terminals the relay plugs into look clean and tight. Male prongs like that

 

[Wedgy]

Did anyone mention your ground cables ? I have had that happen on a couple vehicles.

 

[Werolin]

Do female terminals the relay plugs into look clean and tight. Male prongs like that

The lugs on the relay looked clean, but I didn't really look at the terminals very closely. The relay was hard to get out.

 

[RAD4Runner]

...a single click. ...

Are you sure the click is the starter solenoid (piggybacked on the starter motor)?
Is the click ENERGETIC? If it is and motor still does not crank, more likely the solenoid contacts are worn out, or battery and ground connections to starter are corroded or loose.. Ground is from thick battery cable to engine block.

...It just seemed that it being the relay was too good to be true...

Sounds like this ^^^. Toyota relays seldom go bad. I have 36YO 4Runner with all relays good.

 

[Werolin]

Did anyone mention your ground cables ? I have had that happen on a couple vehicles.

I haven't checked any grounds. Do you mean the battery is grounded, or the fuse boxes, or something else?

 

[Werolin]

Are you sure the click is the starter solenoid (piggybacked on the starter motor)?
Is the click ENERGETIC? If it is and motor still does not crank, more likely the solenoid contacts are worn out, or battery and ground connections to starter are corroded or loose.. Ground is from thick battery cable to engine block.
The click didn't sound like it came from the starter. More like a relay or something with the ignition.

Sounds like this ^^^. Toyota relays seldom go bad. I have 36YO 4Runner with all relays good.

I believe so, as my tests of the relay seemed good. The reason why I did think it was the starter relay is because this last occurrence of this problem was the first time the 2nd try to start didn't work, and the only time it didn't start after several tries. It wasn't until I jumped the starter relay that it turned over. The problem hasn't happened again, and I didn't even change the relay. I will replace the contacts within the next couple weeks... unless it happens again and won't start.

 

[RAD4Runner]

I haven't checked any grounds. Do you mean the battery is grounded, or the fuse boxes, or something else?

He means the thick battery cable from battery negative to the engine block. That is how the starter motor and the starter solenoid get their ground. As in any connection, it is always good to make sure you have bare, shiny metal tightly against bare, shiny metal.

 

[Werolin]

He means the thick battery cable from battery negative to the engine block. That is how the starter motor and the starter solenoid get their ground. As in any connection, it is always good to make sure you have bare, shiny metal tightly against bare, shiny metal.

Tight on, I'll check it out. I do a bit of guitar electronics work, and know how important proper grounding is there. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[RAD4Runner]

...I do a bit of guitar electronics work...

Right on!
Guitars are fun. I installed Texas Specials on friend's Standard (Mexico-made) Fender Stratocaster, and we called it Jalapeño Special.

 

[Werolin]

Right on!
Guitars are fun. I installed Texas Specials on friend's Standard (Mexico-made) Fender Stratocaster, and we called it Jalapeño Special.

Right on! I like Texas Specials, but have never had them in any of my guitars. I've gone more towards lower output vintage style pickups, and love the Lollar Blondes I have in one of my Strats. The output you have listed for the stock pups are more my speed. The Blondes are Alnico II magnets and 5.6K neck, 5.8K middle, and 6.0K bridge. They sound sweet! Had some CS Fat 50s people rave about, but didn't do it for me.

 

[Werolin]

You guys are geniuses! Not that I doubted you, but I believe I've all but confirmed that my problem is in fact the starter motor solenoid contacts, as many of you suggested it was. The intermittent not start thing hadn't happened since I created this post... until yesterday. I had bought a new relay, although the old one was probably perfectly good, but I never installed it. Fast forward to yesterday after filling the gas tank it didn't start on the first try. I did on the second try, so I went on my way. Today I was going to O'Reilly's to have them replace a bad battery under warranty (for a 1st Gen Tacoma Prerunner), and it wouldn't start after getting the new battery. I pulled the relay and put the new relay in, and still nothing. This time I definitely hear a distinct click from the starter. Tried the jumper wire on terminals 3 and 5 of the relay holder for funsies, and click. So, I had to get towed home and will order the starter contacts a little sooner than I had hoped. I knew I was playing Russian roulette driving the car, always running the risk of no more starts left in it, and today was the day I lost. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions! I'll let you know how the contact replacement goes.

Do you have a contact set you like? I see I can get a rebuild kit from Toyota, with contacts and bolts/lugs and stuff, or I see Denso kits on eBay for something like $15.00. Any magic part number you want to suggest? Otherwise, I got it. Thanks again!

 

[Yeahrightdennis]

hurmm

 

[brillo_76]

You guys are geniuses! Not that I doubted you, but I believe I've all but confirmed that my problem is in fact the starter motor solenoid contacts, as many of you suggested it was. The intermittent not start thing hadn't happened since I created this post... until yesterday. I had bought a new relay, although the old one was probably perfectly good, but I never installed it. Fast forward to yesterday after filling the gas tank it didn't start on the first try. I did on the second try, so I went on my way. Today I was going to O'Reilly's to have them replace a bad battery under warranty (for a 1st Gen Tacoma Prerunner), and it wouldn't start after getting the new battery. I pulled the relay and put the new relay in, and still nothing. This time I definitely hear a distinct click from the starter. Tried the jumper wire on terminals 3 and 5 of the relay holder for funsies, and click. So, I had to get towed home and will order the starter contacts a little sooner than I had hoped. I knew I was playing Russian roulette driving the car, always running the risk of no more starts left in it, and today was the day I lost. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions! I'll let you know how the contact replacement goes.

Do you have a contact set you like? I see I can get a rebuild kit from Toyota, with contacts and bolts/lugs and stuff, or I see Denso kits on eBay for something like $15.00. Any magic part number you want to suggest? Otherwise, I got it. Thanks again!

Get the rebuild kit from Toyota for your starter.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

 

[3bears]

agree with billo...hey..you got a part number handy on that. One of many projects b4 winter is to rebuild alternator....well new brushes.. and a new battery...they dont last long up here.....and thought maybe I would hit starter for contacts...im sure timmy has a video on how to do.....230k and nasty winters and when winter hits...i got no place to work...unless you like laying on your back when its minus 40 or paying a shop big money...like big...so I do lots of preventative....
we had snow hit 3 weeks ago...it will be back by late October. but bugs are out now....the mosquitos out now...so big they need landing lights and tail numbers

 

[Werolin]

Man, oh man, I had a real tough time getting the starter in and out, but it was a success! The replacing the contacts and plunger was easy, and the old contacts were totally worn out, as was the contact on the plunger. That should wrap this up. Thanks for all of the tips and suggestions! I think I learned a lot on this one. Cheers! Now if I could get my son's damn 1st Gen Tacoma started... but that's a whole nother thread over in Tacoma World.

 

[Bad Luck]

Has it been fully charged and load tested several time in a row? How does the voltage drop look on the first vs last load test. If it checks out fully charge it again. Clean the terminals and the car side of the terminals with a battery brush, backing soda and water, dry thoroughly. Apply dielectric grease and reassemble. If you still have same troubles you have a bad cable or an internal battery issue. To track it down putting g one or two voltmeters at the battery and noting the voltage when you have the problem.

If you would have read the post above yours then you would have seen that the OP has fixed his problem by finally replacing the starter contacts and plunger. No further diagnosis needed.

 

[Werolin]

Has it been fully charged and load tested several time in a row? How does the voltage drop look on the first vs last load test. If it checks out fully charge it again. Clean the terminals and the car side of the terminals with a battery brush, backing soda and water, dry thoroughly. Apply dielectric grease and reassemble. If you still have same troubles you have a bad cable or an internal battery issue. To track it down putting g one or two voltmeters at the battery and noting the voltage when you have the problem.

Tutuapp 9Apps Showbox​

Thanks, Man! It was 100% the starter solenoid contacts, and the contact ring (for lack of knowing what the proper term would be) on the plunger were totally worn. She's started perfectly every time since, so this one is put to bed!