Problem with starter/ground wire

[GLP]

2004 4Runner V8 125 miles:
My Runner has not been starting normally. The starter clicks once then starts immediately after the click or sometimes you have to hold the key in the start position, or turn the key a few more times and it finally starts. I have been checking the battery and connections first and noticed that the negative terminal from the battery has a wire that goes to ground at the front fender. There is also a larger cable coming from the negative battery terminal that goes elsewhere to the rest of the car. That smaller ground wire is severed and has been for a while (since before the start problem). Could the small ground wire being severed have anything to do with the starter not working correctly now? It seems like the larger negative cable would go to ground somewhere else which is why after the small wire was severed and there were not any electrical problems I assumed it was ok to leave it that way. Can someone please explain the significance of the small ground wire going from the battery to ground. Trying to rule out everything simple before I rebuild the starter solenoid because it is so hard to get to.

 

[Fl_tigers]

2004 4Runner V8 125 miles:

My Runner has not been starting normally. The starter clicks once then starts immediately after the click or sometimes you have to hold the key in the start position, or turn the key a few more times and it finally starts. I have been checking the battery and connections first and noticed that the negative terminal from the battery has a wire that goes to ground at the front fender. There is also a larger cable coming from the negative battery terminal that goes elsewhere to the rest of the car. That smaller ground wire is severed and has been for a while (since before the start problem). Could the small ground wire being severed have anything to do with the starter not working correctly now? It seems like the larger negative cable would go to ground somewhere else which is why after the small wire was severed and there were not any electrical problems I assumed it was ok to leave it that way. Can someone please explain the significance of the small ground wire going from the battery to ground. Trying to rule out everything simple before I rebuild the starter solenoid because it is so hard to get to.

Following to see if that chassis ground is super important or not


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lightfreak]

The larger wire from the negative terminal goes to the engine block near the starter, my understanding is since the engine is not completely grounded due to the rubber engine mounts, the extra short cable from negative terminal to chassis is required. The shorter the wire the less resistance. No point adding longer ground wires from engine block to chassis like you see on some other cars.


Just for curiosity sake, if you turn off all your accessories, radio, AC system, etc and try to start it, does it start ok?

Insufficient ground can lead to all kinds of issues, voltage drops and electrical gremlins. It's a cheap fix, get it replaced.

While you're at it check all ground connections for rust and corrosion and fix as needed.



Update us on your progress.

 

[GLP]

The larger wire from the negative terminal goes to the engine block near the starter, my understanding is since the engine is not completely grounded due to the rubber engine mounts, the extra short cable from negative terminal to chassis is required. The shorter the wire the less resistance. No point adding longer ground wires from engine block to chassis like you see on some other cars.


Just for curiosity sake, if you turn off all your accessories, radio, AC system, etc and try to start it, does it start ok?

Insufficient ground can lead to all kinds of issues, voltage drops and electrical gremlins. It's a cheap fix, get it replaced.

While you're at it check all ground connections for rust and corrosion and fix as needed.



Update us on your progress.

Thanks, I got two threads going on this because I also get the occasional P0335 & P0340 codes. The other thread is in the 4th Gen forum. Anyway, I temporarily connected a wire from the fender ground to the battery neg and it still gives me the start problems. Also, I measured the voltage from the battery negative to the fender ground and got 34 milivolts (.034V). It was the same with the wire disconnected. I will get it fixed before I attempt to fix the starter solenoid. I did try starting it with all accessories off and still no luck. Also cleaned the ground that goes to the frame and put in a new battery and no change.