My engine won't crank over even with a new battery

[gabetron]

Hi guys, I'm pretty new here but I have experience in working on cars, though Toyotas are pretty new to me.

I have a 1990 4Runner V6 Automatic 2WD that's been in my family for about 8 years now. We bought it with 90k miles and it had been good to us until a few years ago it started having problems. The most common one was that it wouldn't start sometimes, it was pretty random, I'd drive to school (30mins away) and then after class it wouldn't start up. It would just make a clicking noise from the passenger side. We would literally have to wait 30mins-2 hours before it would crank over again. Then later on it started over heating to the point where we stopped driving it for about 3 years.

Now I recently have been trying to get it going again and I recently replaced the radiator, hoses and thermostat along with a new battery as well. All the lights come on and radio works but when I try and turn it on just makes the same clicking noise. I thought maybe it needed fresher gas and I added a gallon and still nothing.

I know the 3vze engine is notorious for having bad headgaskets that cause overheating and seizing. I think my 4Runner qualifies for the dealer to fix it under the SSC cause I found no sticker indicating it had been done already.

Maybe I'm just overlooking some simple things but I'm pretty much asking for any help to get this truck running once again.

Could it be seized? Should I try and crank it manually? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Awz]

If it's been sitting that long. I'd drain the tank completely and put fresh fuel in it. Fuel will go bad after about a year. However, it sounds like a loose connection, either one of the battery terminals or the lead going to the starter itself. I'd check both of those and see what you get.

BTW. welcome to the forums

 

[bigwebb83]

starter

 

[Bad_Vision]

Easy to tell if the engine is siezed put a socket on the crank shaft bolt and spin it if you cant move it at all then its siezed if it moves you will feel the compression of the engine.

 

[fourwd1]

So you had a starting problem, let it sit 3 years, and now you still have a starting problem. Replaced the rad, hoses and t-stat and it still won't start, so it's a seized engine?

You may want to consider the starter and/or starter wiring may be the problem.

 

[Bad_Vision]

I thought when you have starting problems you always replace the radiator and thermostat????....lol

 

[fourwd1]

I realize he wasn't replacing them in an attempt to fix the no start problem, but rather to point out the starter problem wouldn't fix itself over time.

 

[Bad_Vision]

for sure

 

[gabetron]

Haha I realize my method seemed backwards but I replaced the radiator cause it needed to be replaced. I just didn't think getting the car started would be such a big issue again. I figured it would at least crank over a little or do something.

But anyways, I actually changed out the starter contacts today and it still didn't start. I still hear this hollow sounding click. It almost feels like I'm getting no power to the starter even though the battery is new.

 

[FirstGenRunner]

Also check the battery terminals and cables. I know you said it's a new battery, but without a good ground you won't have enough amps to crank it over. Ensure everything is clean with good connections around.

 

[kdawg532]

It's probs either the brushes inside the starter are worn or the wiring.