Is my starter bad?

[Friday88]

Today i got back into my truck after a taking it to the store, turned the key and and got power, but nothing happened when i turned it to the starting position. I turned it off and back to the starting position about 3 times and then it started normally.

When i say nothing happened, i mean i didnt hear the starter do anything and didnt hear a hum either. Ive been trying to read about this and some sources say i can just clean it. I figure if i remove it ill just replace it, but i want to know if this is in fact a starter issue, or if its typical of some other electrical problem? Ive only had this truck for about 2 weeks so i dont know the full history. Thanks

 

[dw8494]

Correct, starter is the issue. Same thing happened to me.
For me, was about 2 to 3 weeks of it starting right up, or taking a few turns of the key to get it started.
Finally, it happened; no matter what I did, nothing worked. Thankfully one of my friends was able to help me push and get her moving.

I have a manual, very easy to change and took about 30 mins. I've heard changing on an auto is more cumbersome.

 

[Friday88]

Correct, starter is the issue. Same thing happened to me.
For me, was about 2 to 3 weeks of it starting right up, or taking a few turns of the key to get it started.
Finally, it happened; no matter what I did, nothing worked. Thankfully one of my friends was able to help me push and get her moving.

I have a manual, very easy to change and took about 30 mins. I've heard changing on an auto is more cumbersome.

2 to 3 weeks of it working make me feel a little better. I need to commute next week and wont be able to fix it till the weekend.
It seems somewhat straight forward.

 

[JayRolla]

Research starter contact replacement. Most likely just the contacts are bad and starter is okay. Starter is major PITA to remove on the automatic trucks. You can replace them while leaving starter in the engine bay.

 

[Beaumont67]

Research starter contact replacement. Most likely just the contacts are bad and starter is okay. Starter is major PITA to remove on the automatic trucks. You can replace them while leaving starter in the engine bay.

Exactly ^^

Read these T4R links:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/63228-another-starter-contacts-removal-thread.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/62409-your-starter-going-quick-easy-repair.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/209957-replace-starter-contacts-plunger.html

I don't have experience with Toyota starters - never had one go bad.
- but I driven GM trucks for decades
- when a starter goes bad, no 2 week grace period (non-Toyota)
- I've firmly tapped a failed starter housing before with a hammer, to get another free start
- and avoid a tow truck

 

[mtbtim]

Research starter contact replacement. Most likely just the contacts are bad and starter is okay. Starter is major PITA to remove on the automatic trucks. You can replace them while leaving starter in the engine bay.

It's not as bad as you make it out to be. Once you know what to remove, the path it needs to come out and the orientation the starter needs to be in to fit through the opening you make by moving the brake lines out of the way, it's pretty easy. Disassembling the starter on a work bench is a lot more comfortable than working on it in the engine bay.

OP, follow the video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for this repair and you'll be golden Pony Boy. Btw, you can find much more affordable solenoid contact and plunger kits on Ebay.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WV1t5-wcoOI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[StreetCreeper]

2 to 3 weeks of it working make me feel a little better. I need to commute next week and wont be able to fix it till the weekend.
It seems somewhat straight forward.

Shit – I was lazy and in no rush to screw with it, so I got about an extra year out of my starter from the time it started failing until I replaced it. YMMV though.

 

[4x4runner2002]

I just replaced my starter with a reman from Toyota and I have an automatic. Did it in about an hour without pulling a wheel.
The ream was$150 and it looks brand new inside and out I took it all apart.

Granted I have no sway bar I pulled it out right above the steering rack.

 

[OutRunner]

Hey Friday, if you haven't already replaced your starter, try shifting your rig into neutral and then turn it over. I have seen the neutral position switch go out before and cause the same symptoms. Hopefully, this will get you back on the road. Best of luck.

 

[Friday88]

Wow thanks for all the information guys. I'd like to replace the whole starter as preventative maintinence, assuming its the original.

I havent done anything yet because the dealer parts department isnt open on sundays, so ill probably do it next weekend.

 

[Friday88]

Hey Friday, if you haven't already replaced your starter, try shifting your rig into neutral and then turn it over. I have seen the neutral position switch go out before and cause the same symptoms. Hopefully, this will get you back on the road. Best of luck.

Is this procedure for a manual transmission or automatic? Ill try this for sure if it strands me at work this week.

I guess i havent mentioned it, but my truck is a 96 limited with 225k miles

 

[OutRunner]

That is only an issue found in automatics like yours. Good luck!

 

[kendra23]

Also if you have a key fob make sure that for some reason your alarm isn't going off; it will prevent it from starting. It took me a good chunk of hours to figure this out right after i got mine. It was essentially doing what yours is

 

[Funnyer]

Hmm...The starter has issue... You can buy a car jump starter and use in car starter bad!

 

[Friday88]

Also if you have a key fob make sure that for some reason your alarm isn't going off; it will prevent it from starting. It took me a good chunk of hours to figure this out right after i got mine. It was essentially doing what yours is

I don't have a fob, but the car might have an alarm. There's an unusual chime that goes off when I pull the keys from the ignition. It doesn't sound "factory" but I read somewhere that the limiteds came with an alarm system.

In either case, I ordered a starter from a dealer on the east coast so hopefully I'll get it by the weekend.

 

[Friday88]

It's not as bad as you make it out to be. Once you know what to remove, the path it needs to come out and the orientation the starter needs to be in to fit through the opening you make by moving the brake lines out of the way, it's pretty easy. Disassembling the starter on a work bench is a lot more comfortable than working on it in the engine bay.

OP, follow the video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for this repair and you'll be golden Pony Boy. Btw, you can find much more affordable solenoid contact and plunger kits on Ebay.

Is that your channel? Those videos are incredible. Very detailed and very thorough.

 

[mtbtim]

Is that your channel? Those videos are incredible. Very detailed and very thorough.

Yep, i started the channel with Sean (aka [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION]). We're glad you like the videos. The more 3rd Gen owners that find our videos the better. Tell all your 3rd Gen buddies about us. We only have 2300 subscribers so I know we've barely scratched the surface of the 3rd Gen owners that wrench on their own vehicles. Toyota sold 750,000 3rd Gen 4runners and there's got to be a decent percentage of them still on the road because I see them all over the place in California and other western states I've traveled through.

Happy Wrenching!

 

[s20004runner]

If you have body lift, it makes it easier. In case you were going to do a BL, do it first. It will save you a lot of time and energy.

When mine suddenly died, I found out that previous mechanic stripped one of the bolts! $*(@*$(@*$@$()@$*)@$)@*$)!!!

Freight Harbor's stripped bolt remover was a life saver, but it just took me a week to find it.

Starter contacts are a wear item so they will all die soon or later.

Lastly, if you want to be perfect about it, there is a rubber breather thing on the starter. Remove it before you wiggle the starter out from the engine bay as you probably tear it.

It's not as bad as you make it out to be. Once you know what to remove, the path it needs to come out and the orientation the starter needs to be in to fit through the opening you make by moving the brake lines out of the way, it's pretty easy. Disassembling the starter on a work bench is a lot more comfortable than working on it in the engine bay.

OP, follow the video [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I made for this repair and you'll be golden Pony Boy. Btw, you can find much more affordable solenoid contact and plunger kits on Ebay.

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[kendra23]

I don't have a fob, but the car might have an alarm. There's an unusual chime that goes off when I pull the keys from the ignition. It doesn't sound "factory" but I read somewhere that the limiteds came with an alarm system.

In either case, I ordered a starter from a dealer on the east coast so hopefully I'll get it by the weekend.

Yeah, I ended up having to follow a wire from a flashing red light next to my steering wheel and taking a fuse out. Not too concerned about the alarm for the time being. Mine was chiming a few times and then it would stop. Pain in the butt though

 

[Friday88]

Yep, i started the channel with Sean (aka [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION]). We're glad you like the videos. The more 3rd Gen owners that find our videos the better. Tell all your 3rd Gen buddies about us. We only have 2300 subscribers so I know we've barely scratched the surface of the 3rd Gen owners that wrench on their own vehicles. Toyota sold 750,000 3rd Gen 4runners and there's got to be a decent percentage of them still on the road because I see them all over the place in California and other western states I've traveled through.

Happy Wrenching!

There are a handful of high quality auto mechanic channels, but to have one that specializes in a specific vehicle is unusual. I don't have any 4runner buddies... but hopefully that will change this year lol.