Need HELP! Starting issue

[Jimstr8]

I have been experiencing a starting issue with my 2000 Limited 6cyl auto. Vehicle has 190,000 miles. When the ignition key is turned you can hear the starter engage with one loud click of the started to the fly wheel. Its not the multiple clicks of a low battery.
I assumed it was either a dead spot on the starter or a bad seliniod. The car eventually starts after 20 to 40 attempts.
I replaced the starter last night and the same problem exists. I tried moving the shifter from Park to Neutral but it didn't help.
Any ideas? Is there a starter relay somewhere that could be causing the problem? I checked the battery terminals and cleaned them also. Once the starter does engage the engine turns over briskly and fire right up.
I hate all the electronics of the newer cars

Thanks

 

[97t4r81]

My happy place to start would be fuel/spark/maf. Fuel filter/good gas. Good spark/new plugs. Clean maf, disconnect battery for a few minutes. Air filter for your clean maf. If you've done this, disregard

 

[Jimstr8]

My happy place to start would be fuel/spark/maf. Fuel filter/good gas. Good spark/new plugs. Clean maf, disconnect battery for a few minutes. Air filter for your clean maf. If you've done this, disregard

Thanks but its not a starting issue its the initial issue of actually getting the starter to turn the engine over. Best description is it acts like a dead spot on the starter.

 

[alumarine]

This sounds like a bad starter or a wiring problem.

Since you replaced the starter I'd check to make sure all connections are clean and tight, including any relays.

Did you get the original starter checked?

 

[Jimstr8]

This sounds like a bad starter or a wiring problem.

Since you replaced the starter I'd check to make sure all connections are clean and tight, including any relays.

Did you get the original starter checked?

No, I just installed the new starter this morning and walked out of the garage in defeat. What relays are you referring to? That was one of the areas I am not familiar with.

 

[alumarine]

The starter relay is located under the hood in the large black plastic fuse box by the battery.

Make sure the contacts are clean and also the contacts on the wires going to that box.

Disconnect the battery first.

Also get your old starter checked for free somewhere.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Holy cow. I have to ask, did you do any searching before posting?

OK, let's forget about that. The first thing is, you have a poor connection somewhere. The common thing on our starters is the starter contacts in the solenoid. Assuming the starter you installed is good, the second most common thing is the positive battery terminal.

PLEASE do a search for the Big 3 on this site. It will help you in the future.

So can you confirm you have correct voltage at the battery, at the starter at rest and while attempting to crank.

My money is on battery cables, don't rule out the negative either! Check voltages, did I mention you need to check voltages?

For the record the likely hood of a relay being the fault is almost ZERO.

:doh:

 

[Jimstr8]

Holy cow. I have to ask, did you do any searching before posting?

OK, let's forget about that. The first thing is, you have a poor connection somewhere. The common thing on our starters is the starter contacts in the solenoid. Assuming the starter you installed is good, the second most common thing is the positive battery terminal.

PLEASE do a search for the Big 3 on this site. It will help you in the future.

So can you confirm you have correct voltage at the battery, at the starter at rest and while attempting to crank.

My money is on battery cables, don't rule out the negative either! Check voltages, did I mention you need to check voltages?

For the record the likely hood of a relay being the fault is almost ZERO.

:doh:

I did search the site but the only thing that was even remotely close to the issue were different threads of people debating whether to remove the starter thru the wheel well or by removing the sway bar and other general topics.
If you reread the original post I indicated that I did indeed check the battery cables. Power is fine and the engine turns over briskly once the starter works.
The reason I questioned relays is thru searching this forum there were discussions concerning the relay for the starter. Since most of my mechanical experience originated in doing body off restorations of muscle cars, the electronics of these cars is new to me.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I did search the site but the only thing that was even remotely close to the issue were different threads of people debating whether to remove the starter thru the wheel well or by removing the sway bar and other general topics.
If you reread the original post I indicated that I did indeed check the battery cables. Power is fine and the engine turns over briskly once the starter works.
The reason I questioned relays is thru searching this forum there were discussions concerning the relay for the starter. Since most of my mechanical experience originated in doing body off restorations of muscle cars, the electronics of these cars is new to me.

Hey we have something in common, I did body off restorations for 14 years. Including bodywork, paint, drivetrain and electrical. I didn't do upholstery!

But now, the electronics of these cars have nothing to do with the starter. Really, it's just a battery and a starter. You say you "checked" the cables, but are you 100% sure you have 12V at the starter? What about the grounds?

This isn't complicated, if you could troubleshoot that 70 Nova, you can do this too. Get us some Voltage readings!

One quick search netted this
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gsearch.php?cx=partner-pub-7522522145124525%3Aq9u7brkvvgn&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=3rd+gen+starter&sa=Search&siteurl=www.toyota-4runner.org%2F3rd-gen-t4rs%2F217569-need-help-starting-issue.html%23post2325148&ref=www.toyota-4runner.org%2Fnewreply.php%3Fdo%3Dnewreply%26p%3D2324912&ss=2887j847747j15