Runner wont start hot! HELP PLEASE

[sanderson5]

My first time posting here, so go easy on me. 99 runner sr5, 3.4L. no mods

The car starts perfectly every morning, but after driving it for 45 minutes, then parking to run an errand....it wont start 5 minutes later. If I wait for an hour for it to cool down....it'll start up like normal...the longer I wait, the better it starts.
from what I've gathered, im looking at....
new starter contacts?
throtle position sensor?
new starter (please no)?
When I immediately try and start it after turning it off, it clicks once....then no response.

Im a totally newbie btw

 

[lhsoulrebel]

Your last sentence makes it sound like the contacts... Pain in the arse job, but doable. The temp thing I'm not sure about. Maybe someone else with that experience can chime in. Good luck, and welcome!

 

[D Farms]

if the contacts are slightly corroded you can get away with just blowing some compressed air into it to get the crap loose and out of it. also if it just plain out wont start try rocking the truck while you start it, if that doesnt work and it is the starter, try lightly tapping on the starter through the passenger wheel well while having a friend start the ignition, or just tap it then try to start it.

If its just worn down you are probably going to need to just put new ones in, you can get the starter out without taking the exaust off, you just need to unbolt the wire that it connects to before trying to wiggle it out. also

 

[Blackfell]

Sounds like the stater is done. I just replaced mine in my 97. The not starting while hot could be bad. Start by replacing the starter. The last time I had a vehicle not start while hot it blew the head gasket within 30 days of the problem starting.

 

[Millerad1651]

Not starting again once warm sounds like a dirty/clogged IAC valve, which is a pretty common problem. It is located under the throttle body. Just take that off, clean it up, and see if that helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgpIg-WkwOY

Do you have any problems on the initial startup? If no clicks, and it starts right up, I would think that your starter is still good. I would at least look in to the IAC first...its a lot easier to get too, and a much cheaper part.

You should also check out any hoses, to make sure there aren't any cracks and leaks, And clean the MAF sensor if you've never done it.

 

[0xfded]

Not starting again once warm sounds like a dirty/clogged IAC valve, which is a pretty common problem. It is located under the throttle body. Just take that off, clean it up, and see if that helps.

From the description, sounds like it's not even turning over once it's hot. Correct me if I'm wrong, but even with a totally broken IAC valve you'd turn over but not catch.

OP, do you have other electrical when hot? Your lights work, door chimes, et cetera? If so, it really points to your starter. I was having similar symptoms with my stock starter (@213k miles) last year, and I just replaced the whole unit. Not a single issue since. (Could probably have just done the contacts, but the hard part is getting the thing out, so I went all the way.)

Also, try this next time it gives you this symptom: quickly click the ignition a couple of times, back-to-back. You're basically shaking the solenoids around doing that. If it catches after 3-4 clicks, it's likely your starter contacts.

 

[Neil_R]

Don't bother replacing your starter yet, replace the contacts first if you're getting the "clicking" sound when you try to start it. If it ALWAYS turns when you hold the key in the start position, but only FIRES when cold, check the IAC, and clean the throttle body in general.

Could also be some fuel delivery issue, but I'm not sure what engine temperature would have to do with that.

 

[sanderson5]

You guys are amazing btw. I've been lurking on this site for a few years now, yet have never actually posted. Nothing like waiting till a time of need right?!

In response to earlier questions...

I have full electrical when it wont start. everything.
Also unfortunately its my only vehicle so I'll be having the work done at a shop. Would there be any sense in having them replace the whole starter if they will already be opening it up? I dont want to have to pay for another visit...
If this has any bearing....its a pretty high mileage vehicle. 250K and i dont think the starter has ever been replaced

I'll be getting this done Monday morning, So i'll let you all know the results

 

[TheDurk]

You guys are amazing btw. I've been lurking on this site for a few years now, yet have never actually posted. Nothing like waiting till a time of need right?!

In response to earlier questions...

I have full electrical when it wont start. everything.
Also unfortunately its my only vehicle so I'll be having the work done at a shop. Would there be any sense in having them replace the whole starter if they will already be opening it up? I dont want to have to pay for another visit...
If this has any bearing....its a pretty high mileage vehicle. 250K and i dont think the starter has ever been replaced

I'll be getting this done Monday morning, So i'll let you all know the results

If you replace the starter when all that it needed were the contacts, you will be likely throwing away a high-quality, near-bullet-proof factory Denso for a reman or aftermarket unit that will crap out in a year or two. Shops much prefer to swap starters rather than fix them. So beware.

 

[sanderson5]

The shop opened it up this Monday afternoon to find both a worn out starter....and bad contacts.

We ended up going with a new Denso...so that was a relief. My shop guy had the same opinion on aftermarket starters typically being complete crap.

All in all, they had it done in 3 hours & it only set me back $340.

She's running great now. Next up on the list is to put on some 231 brakes.

 

[eplanajr]

I hate seeing threads like this. That $340 could have been like $12 instead, if they would have just changed the contacts.

 

[amalik]

I hate seeing threads like this. That $340 could have been like $12 instead, if they would have just changed the contacts.

But the starter was 'worn out' -- remember?

 

[Brian757]

I hate seeing threads like this. That $340 could have been like $12 instead, if they would have just changed the contacts.

The contacts are almost 99.999% of the issue with a starter related problem on these trucks.

I agree, that could've been $320 spent somewhere else. Sad...

To the OP, your "Shop guy" needs to get kicked in the dong.

 

[sanderson5]

uh oh. i guess live and learn in my case.

unfortunately its my only transportation so I really needed to get it fixed....and i'm still in the process of becoming mechanically adept

once I have a second car I'll be doing all the work on the runner myself...basically with all of you guys as my teachers.

Anybody in the Issaquah/seattle area down to help me do a 231 brake upgrade?

 

[nevada]

Shops pull this shit all the time, and people believe them enough to drop an extra $300 for something they would have never needed.

The contacts are almost 99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of the issue with a starter related problem on these trucks.

I agree, that could've been $320 spent somewhere else. Sad...

a new starter was money well spent. that thing had a 1/4 million miles on it.

what about in a month or 2 when another component in the original starter fails? the shop wouldn't warranty the labor to R&R it again. and rightly so.

if the OP was doing the work himself, and wanted to take that risk, just changing the contacts is fine. but that is a BAD move for a shop to do it.

 

[jgue467]

Shops pull this shit all the time, and people believe them enough to drop an extra $300 for something they would have never needed.

The contacts are almost 99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of the issue with a starter related problem on these trucks.

I agree, that could've been $320 spent somewhere else. Sad...

That's why i like to participate on this forum, can save lots of $$$ and trouble. I'm guessing there is not much advance notice or it is just like it happened to the OP (occassional or hot non-start)?

Doesn't look to hard (maybe a pita though): Starter Contact Repair

 

[eplanajr]

uh oh. i guess live and learn in my case.

unfortunately its my only transportation so I really needed to get it fixed....and i'm still in the process of becoming mechanically adept

once I have a second car I'll be doing all the work on the runner myself...basically with all of you guys as my teachers.

Anybody in the Issaquah/seattle area down to help me do a 231 brake upgrade?

I'm in Shoreline and did a 199 upgrade (because I didn't wanna deal with any wheel clearance issues). It's simple stuff.

There's actually a super long thread that is all about Seattle area meet/greet/work parties.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/97531-seattle-area-maintenance-meet.html

 

[Brian757]

a new starter was money well spent. that thing had a 1/4 million miles on it.

what about in a month or 2 when another component in the original starter fails? the shop wouldn't warranty the labor to R&R it again. and rightly so.

if the OP was doing the work himself, and wanted to take that risk, just changing the contacts is fine. but that is a BAD move for a shop to do it.

A new ANYTHING is typically money well spent. The life of that part is exponentially younger, and I'm talking about OEM. I understand what you're saying, but with a little bit of help from us, he could've attempted his contacts and ultimately saved himself $300.

What shop wouldn't warranty the work? If he replaced the contacts and the starter failed, he would purchase a new starter. I would risk paying $12 instead of purchasing a new starter for a warranty.

I understand your last comment on shops half-assing a job. It's never a good idea to not fully replace a component. Because if the fix is a bandaid, you'd better believe you'll have angry customers with receipts beating on your door. But in this case, the risk is worth saving $300+. The range in price is just too great to justify. And to clarify, I was suggesting the starter contacts for the OP to try and attempt, not ask a shop. I know he is still learning, but I'd be half-willing to send him my number and walk him through it, to save that much money.

I'm also not trying to bash the OP, in case it was taken that way. It just stinks seeing people here get hit with a hefty bill when we can help them.

 

[nevada]

A new ANYTHING is typically money well spent. The life of that part is exponentially younger, and I'm talking about OEM. I understand what you're saying, but with a little bit of help from us, he could've attempted his contacts and ultimately saved himself $300.

What shop wouldn't warranty the work? If he replaced the contacts and the starter failed, he would purchase a new starter. I would risk paying $12 instead of purchasing a new starter for a warranty.

I understand your last comment on shops half-assing a job. It's never a good idea to not fully replace a component. Because if the fix is a bandaid, you'd better believe you'll have angry customers with receipts beating on your door. But in this case, the risk is worth saving $300+. The range in price is just too great to justify. And to clarify, I was suggesting the starter contacts for the OP to try and attempt, not ask a shop. I know he is still learning, but I'd be half-willing to send him my number and walk him through it, to save that much money.

I'm also not trying to bash the OP, in case it was taken that way. It just stinks seeing people here get hit with a hefty bill when we can help them.

it wouldn't be $12. not if he had a shop do it, he would be paying their labor to pull it, then labor to swap the contacts.

there isn't any shop that would labor that starter for free again. unless of course their work was the problem. so if another issue comes up, he would have had to pay the labor AGAIN. do that twice...you are getting much closer to the cost of just having a new starter put in to begin with.

also, he got a new denso installed for $320, that seems like a pretty good deal to me.

 

[Brian757]

it wouldn't be $12. not if he had a shop do it, he would be paying their labor to pull it, then labor to swap the contacts.

there isn't any shop that would labor that starter for free again. unless of course their work was the problem. so if another issue comes up, he would have had to pay the labor AGAIN. do that twice...you are getting much closer to the cost of just having a new starter put in to begin with.

also, he got a new denso installed for $320, that seems like a pretty good deal to me.

Ahh, this is where the communication breakdown occurred. I was talking about persuading the OP to attempt the contacts himself. I was saying to avoid a shop altogether. You're correct about the shop.

C'mon Nevada, I'm well aware that if you would take starter contacts into a shop, they would charge you labor for the install. You're insulting me now.