Starter or ignition switch

[chriley]

I had a new starter installed this past spring. Everything has been fine up until the past 2 months. My 98 4 runner has 140k miles, it runs fine most of the time but just recently it randomly decides not to turn over. It's very inconsident when it happens so it's hard to figure out what's wrong. It's been in the shop twice for the same problem and of course when it's in the shop it doesn't occur.

The battery is fine, the key turns, and nothing. So I keep turning it really fast and then it kicks in...sometimes. The repairman seemed to think it was the relay switch and replaced it. It was fine for about 2 weeks and then it just happened again twice today.

Can anyone shed some light on what the problem may be?

 

[g20tdet]

my 97 was doing the same thing till it got to the where it would happen every time i tried to start it. i changed the starter today and it seemed to solve the problem.

 

[judoant]

I had the same problem on my 94 accord. I put a little wd40 in the ignition and on the key, turned it to on and off several times and no problems since.

i have also heard that the starter contacts can be replaced on the runner so that might be the next step

 

[mikes4runner]

Try cleaning the contacts that is a good starting point like stated above.
And that is the obivious thats why the dealer did not try that.

Mike

 

[phishman9]

Cleaning the contacts is a good idea. This happened on my '89 blazer all the time. It's the solenoid switch in the starter not making a good contact. I believe the switch uses a large magnet to make the connection somehow and the magnet gets stuck.

I'd take a hammer to the starter once and a while which would knock it loose, and it'd start up great, but I doubt you want to hammer your starter everytime. The only way I could fix this problem is throwing on a new starter....not a very technical explaination, but that's my experience.