help me, im freezing!!!

[haleebrown87]

Please help! I just bought a 93 4runner about 3 weeks ago! Right after my purchase I moved to Breck co to enjoy some snow! Not only does my 4 cylinder 5 speed not have the power I need to make it up some of these mountain tops but when I wake up in this sweet 2 degree weather my starter is frozen and my runner will not turn over! I am positive it isn't my battery and fairly sure it is my starter. I read up on it after the first freezer and saw that tapping the starter worked but to be honest I feel a little ghetto in my parking lot doing that! Does this mean a need a new starter or is there anyway to keep my engine warm over night? Any info or input on my runner would be great, this is my first Toyota and I'm not sure about it!thanks a million!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Please help! I just bought a 93 4runner about 3 weeks ago! Right after my purchase I moved to Breck co to enjoy some snow! Not only does my 4 cylinder 5 speed not have the power I need to make it up some of these mountain tops but when I wake up in this sweet 2 degree weather my starter is frozen and my runner will not turn over! I am positive it isn't my battery and fairly sure it is my starter. I read up on it after the first freezer and saw that tapping the starter worked but to be honest I feel a little ghetto in my parking lot doing that! Does this mean a need a new starter or is there anyway to keep my engine warm over night? Any info or input on my runner would be great, this is my first Toyota and I'm not sure about it!thanks a million!

Welcome. Where's the pics??? That's a beautiful part of the world.

If your battery connections are good on both ends you may need a starter. If tapping the starter helps it's probably the solenoid within the starter. A new starter is often the best way to go.

As far as power goes about all you can do without getting into major modding that'll produce minimal returns is to make sure it's tuned up. The problem is the air is so thin at your elevations that without forced induction (turbo or supercharger) anything is going to be weak. A ZO6 'vette will feel like a pig compared with driving it at sea-level. A 4cyl Runner didn't have much reserve power to begin with

Do you have big tires? As uncool and unsexy as it is using a 29" or 30" overall diameter tire will help. The shorter tire changes the gearing a bit for the better. Of course, any tire will roll easier whne properly inflated.

Good luck!

:cheers:

 

[haleebrown87]

So even if my runner starts just fine when the weather is above 20 degrees ya think it is my starter? ugh I was so hoping I could make it thro my season with out some sort of mechanical problem with it! So what do you suggest? taking it to a shopping and replacing or is there an easy way out on this bad boy! I wish it wasnt so darn cold and maybe a little lower in elevation then my baby would run like a champ lol! But then I would miss out on what I came for! Thanks for any help and advice im trying to avoid any un-needed trips to the shop! - Halee B

 

[CJ3Flyr]

So even if my runner starts just fine when the weather is above 20 degrees ya think it is my starter? ugh I was so hoping I could make it thro my season with out some sort of mechanical problem with it! So what do you suggest? taking it to a shopping and replacing or is there an easy way out on this bad boy! I wish it wasnt so darn cold and maybe a little lower in elevation then my baby would run like a champ lol! But then I would miss out on what I came for! Thanks for any help and advice im trying to avoid any un-needed trips to the shop! - Halee B

Just double check the battery and terminal connections. A chain auto parts store will test the battery for free. If those check good then I think there's a good chance you'll need to replace the starter

I must admit the temp thing is throwing me a bit... It is possible the solenoid on the starter is gunked up and the 2 degree temp solidifies the gunk. At 20 the gunk is loose enough the solenoid can work. I'd really focus on the battery, battery terminals, the wires where they attach to the starter and the ground wire where it attaches to the engine and body.

Good luck!
:cheers:

 

[MikesToy]

Hmmmm..... If everything worked fine for the last 3 weeks, why would your t4r starter die in cold weather????? Are you sure it's not your fuel pump or fuel lines not frozen?

 

[bueller]

cold temps

at least you're not in gunnison. i was living/working there last winter and most, if not all residents, have block heaters. breck isn't near that cold, but if you're planning to stay, consider getting one added on. also, make sure your anti-freeze is rated low (-30˚F). i think mine is rated at -36˚F at the moment.

 

[sn0wrunner]

gunnison sucks! Worst town ever. (for college anyways) I went to visit a friend there and there was nothing to do in the little town.

 

[chip4]

My 99 4cyl used to do that all the time, I always needed to tap my starter with a crowbar.

Just replace the starter, something in the solenoid and gears wear down. Some places have lifetime warranty on those. but I suggest oe toyota starter.