Starter Clicks

[Alabamaguy]

On the trail last night, I cut the truck off while talking to a friend and when I went to start it it clicked once and didn't do anything else. I bumped the key a few times and it worked fine. Then today when leaving work it did it again. Any ideas what may be causing that?

 

[LittleCaesar]

If I was taking the odds to Atlantic City, I'd say your starter contacts are on their last leg. Use the search engine for a couple of tutorials on the subject matter.

 

[Devious81]

Yep, starter contacts are close to shot. The contacts are pretty easy to replace once you get the starter out, which is the really fun part.

 

[Alabamaguy]

The search function doesn't work on my phone, for whatever reason or i would see what I could find tonight. But for time's sake, this only started after going through some deep water...could that be what did it? Also, I have to go on a short road trip this weekend. Is it going to be safe to go?

 

[JWaldz]

I'm going through the same thing right now. Except my truck is stuck in the driveway. I'm guessing the cold weather finished it. All it does is click click click. Might try to crank over randomly, but never completely. Not looking forward to the knuckle busting job. Get it fixed ASAP, cus it wont last long at all.

This will help

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/63228-another-starter-contacts-removal-thread.html

 

[Brutus]

When my contacts wore out, it seemed like it clicked and worked better when the truck was facing down hill a bit. I fixed it after just 3 days so my experience time was limited.

 

[habanero]

The search function doesn't work on my phone, for whatever reason or i would see what I could find tonight. But for time's sake, this only started after going through some deep water...could that be what did it? Also, I have to go on a short road trip this weekend. Is it going to be safe to go?

Here's a write-up...
3rd Gen, 3.4 Auto starter removal write-up (pic heavy) - YotaTech Forums
End of the 1st post is useful as to where to find them. Since you only need to get to the contacts post 21 is also a possibility.

It wasn't hard to do. As far as safe to go it's hard to say whether you'll get stuck with a no-start or not, With my manual trans I just made sure I was pointed downhill wherever I parked in case I had to pop the clutch 'til I got 'em done. Usually it just took multiple key turns. Will yours be similar? Who can say?

 

[Alabamaguy]

Well, it looks like I'll be driving the SS this weekend. I don't see myself having time to do this before tomorrow when I need to leave. Now, what should I ask for at the parts house?

 

[Alabamaguy]

Found them at my machine shop.

 

[JWaldz]

Replaced my contacts yesterday. Charged my battery and it started right up! Saved me lots of money :thumb3:

 

[Alabamaguy]

Update:

Went to take the starter off and the bottom bolt was loose and the top one was missing...think that was my grounding problem. I could grab the starter and move it round on the bellhousing...Gotta love previous owners.