Starter...? Think its a bigger problem

[ctk519]

I just got a 98 4runner lmtd 2wd in the beginning of february. 87K miles. Everything has been excellent with the truck. About a month ago, when i went to start, it wouldn't start on the first try. So a couple more turns and it started...no problem. this has happened on and off, almost once or twice a week since then

about a week ago, i was ready to start it, and as i did the car just started shaking and it became "stuck" in the start position (the car sounded like it was trying to start, but it was loud and violent) . i pulled the key out and still the car was shaking. while it was shaking, i tried to start it again, and got it to start, however there was some noise coming from under the hood (it sounds like the starter is getting stuck). So i turned it off, then started it again and it was fine. This happened again today. It only seems to happen when the car doesn't start on the first shot.

My question is: is this a starter problem or what? ive never seen seen a car shake like that from being a starter problem. it was a pretty violent shake. It seems as if the starter is getting "stuck". I dont know if that is possible. I have to make a trip this weekend and i don't want to get stuck 200 miles away from home. any advice would be helpful.
Thanks

 

[DE 4Runner]

The first part sounds like your starter, the same thing happened to me and i replaced it and now it works as it should....as for the second part, i'm not sure man sorry....good luck.

 

[Yardie]

Starter solenoid not retracting starter gear after starting maybe?

 

[ctk519]

I am guessing that is what's happening, It only happens when trying to start the car.

if anyone else has had a similar problem, please let me know. thanks

 

[8ac1v1c]

ive never seen seen a car shake like that from being a starter problem. it was a pretty violent shake.

I've never heard of a car shake because of a bad starter.

Sounds like the TB is clogged....then again - my allergies got my sinusses stuffed and just thought of the same scenario as I tried to sniff in the snot......my head started shaking violently. LOL :bigok:

 

[montylox]

Starter

Hey man!

Yup, it is your starter. The solinoid is getting stuck int the open position and that is keeping the circuit open. The key can be off the start position as you know, but if the circuit is active power will still go the starter. The same thing happend to me and the starter actually caught fire and burned all of its guts out. As for the shaking, all cars shake when they start. Check it out. The starter does just that, gets things moving. It only can push the engine so fast, about 250 rpm or so untill the engine fires up to take over. Ever try to start an already running car? That horrible grinding noise is the starter desperatly trying to keep up with the engine. If I were you I would change out the starter now while you CAN intead of when you dont have a choice! Good luck!

 

[ctk519]

i replaced the starter and all is well. thanks!

 

[JPMORGN98]

Just curious, what kind of $ are we talking for a replacement?

Did you use OEM or not, and how difficult a job is this for the average Joe?

 

[montylox]

cost of starter

Yes, you the average Joe, or what ever your name may be, can change out the starter. It took me about two hours. I used the Hanes Auto Manual and followed the steps. I also would recomend the that all readers get the book. The days of the shady tree mech are not over. They just went high tech. Also get the code computer. This is for finding out what the heck the engine light wants you to know. You can get one at Wal-Mart for about $60, and I found that about half of the codes were for problems I could fix my self. As for the new starter, the only thing you should worry about finding the best price. I got mine from Kragen for $160, no core.

 

[Spencer]

This is the exact problem I am having starter getting stuck in the on position..

After hearing that this happened to someone and it burned their guts out, I hope I didn't burn it up, but im not sure if I should take the chance and just change the whole thing..

 

[Sunnyd1277]

This same thign happend to me tonight. Exept when the car was shaking i opend the hood, pulled off the negative terminal and it still wouldnt stop. It eventually stopped after a second or two and when i put the terminal back on it wanted to start again....exept i had no key in the car...

still thinking solenoid?

 

[Spencer]

This same thign happend to me tonight. Exept when the car was shaking i opend the hood, pulled off the negative terminal and it still wouldnt stop. It eventually stopped after a second or two and when i put the terminal back on it wanted to start again....exept i had no key in the car...

still thinking solenoid?

Ignition switch or starter relay, as far as is trying to start with no key.

 

[raydouble]

If the solenoid contacts in the starter weld themselves together on start up and can't retract, anytime the circuit with the battery is complete, it will try and start/continue to start.

 

[3GFrunnerMatt]

Bad starter?

I turn the ignition and get one solid grinding noise, like the Bendix is stuck. It doesn't fire, cuz I back off the key from the noise i hear. Not sure I
8f I replaced the starter last year, or not...it's all a blur, man! Anyone?