Ignition Issues

[rayratliff]

I have a 1995 Toyota 4runner SR5 3VZE

I use it as a second vehicle due to needing some minor work. I went to take it out last week and It wouldn't start just one single click. So my first thought was my battery was dead. I took the battery out of my Jeep I drive daily put it in still one single click nothing else. My next step was to check my voltage on my the wire coming from the battery to the starter and also have my starter tested. I checked the voltage 12 to 12.5 volts. Finished the painful job of taking the starter out the small access panel and took it to my local Advanced Auto my starter tested fine. I have been testing everything I can for the past week with no results key switch is good. I pulled the Starter Relay and took the cap off tested it everything works great inside of it placed the cap back on. Tested the voltage where the relay goes and it appears to be alright only concern is i come up with 3 ports that appear to be grounded 1 2 and 3 numbers on the relay are 1 2 3 5 for some reason. Could it be the Neutral Safety Switch? or does anyone have any idea's

 

[92-SR5]

Did you make sure your connections were tight on your battery terminals and starter before you took it out? A bad connection can cause it to click.

 

[77'911]

You might check the contacts in the starter, common issue with these. There is a plated metal panel held on with about 3 bolts. Toyota actually sells a kit to change over the contacts in the starter. It runs about $50. Complete reman units run about $175 from Toyota.
Might be worth replacing the EFI relay, but I suspect that is not the issue if your getting 12v+ at the starter.
regards

 

[CAN-03runner]

Will it start if the starter relay is bypassed?

When I had this issue, I went through many different things. I ended up adding a relay and that finally finxed it for good.

What is the difference between the voltage right at the battery and by the time it hits the starter?

Maybe the 12-12.5 might not actually be enough. I had cut into the wires and made myself quick disconnects to start and test so I didn't have to crawl under the truck all the time.

But if you prefer not to cut into the wires or just for a trial. You could use a female end of a spade connector to the starter, and a length of wire that reaches your battery. Turn the key so it is ON and so the fuel pump will run. Then touch the positive with the jumper cable you just made. If it does start then even if the relay is still "good" somewhere it is losing just enough voltage to not run the starter. And you can add an additional relay to help with that.

MAKE SURE IT IS NOT IN DRIVE OR IN GEAR

There is a thread for that around here somewhere.

 

[goatfarmer]

Similar problem; although the 'one click' comes and goes; have not been stranded as yet, after a few tries it kicks over. The start relay was my 1st consideration but after some research I could not find a relay listed after 88, which got me thinking, perhaps the relay is incorporated in the starter?The battery and connections looked fine, volt meter registered 12v but with pending cooler weather decided to charge the battery. Notice a thick film had accumulated between the post and connectors. Clean the post and connectors, used mild solution of baking soda and distilled water to clean connectors along with a wire brush. For the past 2-3 months the problem became more frequent but since charging and cleaning 4 days of frequent stops; so far, have not experienced a problem. Also, as 77'911 mentioned check the start connections.

Suggestions may, or may not, be the solution but I would certainly start at the least labor intensive point before beginning at the starter. This ole timer 'do it myselfer', has some experience in auto maintenance and repairs over these many years and found a few problematic, the one that stands out the most was replacing the starter on 90 4R.