I've done some searches and haven't come up with anything on my problem. A few weeks ago, my 97 Limited began having problems starting. Intermittently, when starting, it sounds like power is going to everything but the starter. I don't know if it's related, but I would try jiggling the gear shift thinking I had a park/neutral position sensor problem. Sometimes it will start when I do that, sometimes not. After I finally found the switch, it was in adjustment. I thought maybe I had a battery problem and, since I still had the original, went ahead and invested in a new one. Same problem occurs, but still just intermittent. Then one time when it did start, I shut it down and the starter began to run with the key in "off" position. When I turned the key back to "on" the engine started and the starter stopped as it should. It did the same thing when I went to the "off" position again, but hasn't done that again since. I thought that was a little wild. Sorry for the length of this, but I'm scratching my head. Anyone out there familiar with a problem like this? Any ideas? BTW, the dealer charged me $50 to tell me it could be the starter. Before I delve into taking that off, I thought I would ask some of you guys with much more experience. Thanks in advance for any help.
Start Problem
- Thread starter boneman01
- Start date
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I'm thinking it could be the starter, an intermittent short in the ignition circuit, or maybe something wrong in the ignition switch.
Starters often act very strange when they are going out -- they don't just suddenly die, usually. Or at least that's been my experience.
Anyone else?
Starters often act very strange when they are going out -- they don't just suddenly die, usually. Or at least that's been my experience.
Anyone else?
TSP-MIKE
New member
It sounds like the ignition. because when the ignition switch goes bad it will drop the voltage to the starter and make it not work sometimes. It will make the starter sounds like it is bad by clicking. What you need to do is disconnect the start wire from the starter and probe it with a voltmeter. Get someone to turn the key and read the voltage at the start wire. If it's less that 12.3v then it's most likely the ignition SW.
Mike
Mike
pdx-97runner
New member
similar problem - intermittent starting
I JUST (today) got a 97 4runner sr-5 that is experiencing the same problem. occasionally when I attempt to start the engine the starter does not engage. This problem may occur once or twice but the engine usually seems to start after a few turns of the key.
Needless to say, this sucks.
I JUST (today) got a 97 4runner sr-5 that is experiencing the same problem. occasionally when I attempt to start the engine the starter does not engage. This problem may occur once or twice but the engine usually seems to start after a few turns of the key.
Needless to say, this sucks.
pdx-97runner
New member
fixed
Ok, i didnt want to mess with it so i took it to a local starter fix it place. $167.00 but it works nicely. actually now the door locks lock when the ignition is turned on. so its better than before.
Ok, i didnt want to mess with it so i took it to a local starter fix it place. $167.00 but it works nicely. actually now the door locks lock when the ignition is turned on. so its better than before.
Well, I'd say if you got a reman starter installed for that price, that's pretty fair. You can't beat that price by a whole lot just for the starter. I know, because that's what I wound up doing except I did it myself. You kinda have to perform some unnatural acts to get at the starter and get it out, but it fixed my problem. Glad to hear yours is fixed and thanks for all the help from everyone.
pdx-97runner
New member
rebuild
Sorry for the lack of detail. the 167 was for a rebuilt starter and installation. I also got a 5 year warranty. It starts every time now. I'm glad it wasnt electrical.
Sorry for the lack of detail. the 167 was for a rebuilt starter and installation. I also got a 5 year warranty. It starts every time now. I'm glad it wasnt electrical.
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