Intermittent Failure to Start

[danthemanx07]

I recently began experiencing an intermittent starting issue. When I turn the key I get one solitary "click" followed by a second single "click" a few seconds later. Usually, I can try to start a few times, and it will fire up on the third or fourth try. I got stuck at a shopping center yesterday for some time though, so my urgency to figure this out has increased.

Things of note:
- have tried two different AGM group 31 batteries - both under a year old with no change
- battery terminals have been cleaned and check multiple times now
- the body ground - the one that goes to the driver fender - has been replaced with a heavier gauge cable
- all the lights on the dash come on, radio works, etc.
- I have the slyfox75 secondary air injection pump bypass installed
- issue started after a fairly deep (~36") water crossing a month or so go now
- warn winch installed and wired directly to the battery - no other accessories
- voltage reading at idle is 13.6-13.9

2005 GX470 with the 4.7l, 211K miles

Any thoughts?

 

[Brian3676]

Assuming all connections are good like stated, this is usually a sign the starter is going out. The click is the solenoid engaging but the main starter not turning. A old trick is to hit the starter with something to get the contacts to work a few last times, but that's not really possible on the v8 unfortunately

 

[TowMeOut]

The internal contacts get beat/worn down with age, one more than the other (not sure why). At a certain point the solenoid can't pull the plunger against them both with enough contact to turn the starter motor (takes a lot more juice than you'd think). Worn contacts plus some water creates a bit of corrosion, making the issue worse.

I just had this happen on mine about a year ago. Getting the starter loose is pretty straightforward (long extension, bit of muscle, etc) but mine's the V6. On that V8 it's perched on top under the manifold. What a pain.

Once you have it out you can easily replace the contacts or in my case they looked OK so I just cleaned them up with some sandpaper and moved on. They sell a complete rebuild kit on Amazon and elsewhere for about $35 (new contacts and plunger). In hindsight, I really wish I'd replaced them. They're cheap and would be insurance against this issue for probably another 100K.

Good luck....

 

[danthemanx07]

Assuming all connections are good like stated, this is usually a sign the starter is going out. The click is the solenoid engaging but the main starter not turning. A old trick is to hit the starter with something to get the contacts to work a few last times, but that's not really possible on the v8 unfortunately

I would have to do that on my old Samurai to get it to crank. Unfortunately, as you have said, the starter here is totally inaccessible.

The internal contacts get beat/worn down with age, one more than the other (not sure why). At a certain point the solenoid can't pull the plunger against them both with enough contact to turn the starter motor (takes a lot more juice than you'd think). Worn contacts plus some water creates a bit of corrosion, making the issue worse.

I just had this happen on mine about a year ago. Getting the starter loose is pretty straightforward (long extension, bit of muscle, etc) but mine's the V6. On that V8 it's perched on top under the manifold. What a pain.

Once you have it out you can easily replace the contacts or in my case they looked OK so I just cleaned them up with some sandpaper and moved on. They sell a complete rebuild kit on Amazon and elsewhere for about $35 (new contacts and plunger). In hindsight, I really wish I'd replaced them. They're cheap and would be insurance against this issue for probably another 100K.

Good luck....

Thanks for the info. The starter on the V8 is a royal pain to get at. Against my normal practices, I am probably going to pay someone to tackle this job, and if it is done, I will just go ahead and replace the whole starter and rebuild the old one as you have described.

 

[Brian3676]

If you can turn a wrench then the starter is not all that bad, just more time consuming. I had it done in a few hours on a friends 4runner. That said, paying someone is always easier Haha

 

[Bleu62]

If you hear the clicking and you know you have good amps and volts w your battery I would also look at your crankshaft position sensor. Way easier to start small. Good luck.