Help! Won't start!

[Blue 92]

I've got a 92 4 Runner SR5 4WD 5-Speed and it no longer starts.

It just decided to give me problems out of now where. The Soleniod clicks everytime you use turn the key to ignition but it won't turn over. I've tried a new battery thinking that maybe it had a bad sell. I've also tried jumping it both normal and grounded to the chasis. Its a farely new starter. There is a lot of oil in the starter from and unknown leak. I don't know if that has anything to do wiht it or not.

Any ideas on where/what to check?

Thanks,
Blue 92

 

[K_Labs]

Try hitting the starter with a brass hammer or bar don't beat the crap out of it but just give it a little tap. You can get a good whack at it from the passenger side wheel well.

 

[jrs2]

Generally, a lot of oil in electrical devices is not a good thing.

 

[Blue 92]

Thanks K_Labs I'll give it a try and see what happens

 

[Blue 92]

I put in a new starter today and it worked fne for about four starts. Then when I got hoem and went to turn the thing around it started to do the same thing it was doing earlier. I don't think the start would be bad again but what else could i try?

Any Ideas?

 

[yotatech]

As I see it there are only three possibilities. You have a ground problem, to test this run a jumper cable from the battery to the engine block somewhere on the cylinder head or maybe the lifting eye. If the truck starts your engine ground is faulty. If not, try substituting your positive cable to starter cable, again using a jumper cable. If that does not work try another starter...it is not unheard of to get multiple bad aftermarket parts. Some/most parts are better to pony up for the factory parts, expensive I know but worth it in fixed right the first time.

 

[Kaipo14]

I have the same problem with my 85 Runner. It seems to only happen when it is hot outside. I live in the high desert and usually only have this problem in the summer. I found that tapping it with the hammer does the trick but it can be quite annoying, and unsettling, especially when I am 100 miles out in the desert.