Starting issues

[f-it]

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I am running out of ideas here. Here is my issue:
For the last few weeks I was getting the classic one click starter contact problem so I figured they needed changing and was getting ready to do it when then one day instead of the one click I get no power to anything at all. In the accessory setting all the power is good until I turn the key to the run position to start it. It kills all the power, no dash lights no radio nothing, it even resets all my stations on the radio. I opened the hood took a look around closed the hood then tried to start it and still nothing. Opened the hood again shut it and then all of a sudden it starts first try.

I changed the starter contacts after and made sure the battery was good and the problem still happens. It is intermittent so it is hard to replicate.

Again below is what I have done after it started the no start issue:
1) Checked battery and terminals
2)Changed the starter contacts

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[kball]

If your battery is good and the contacts are new, my guess is you have a ground problem.

 

[coltonbaxter31]

yes i agree ^^ probably a grounding issue.. Just double check the terminals on your battery for battery acid. sometimes that can interfere with the connection. I just had that problem and i just took a wire brush to the terminal and made sure the connection was as tight as it could be. Also you might want to check your alternator

 

[DeathCougar]

I have removed battery terminals and they *appeared* to be ok, only to find out they had built up a thin layer of corrosion that was causing the exact problems you are describing.

Take your terminals off, clean the terminals and the battery posts until they are shiny metal (terminal post cleaners or wire brushes work great) and reinstall. My money is on that.

If that isn't the issue, then check the cables for splitting/fraying/corrosion. Toyota has adequate grounding points so as long as they are all there, that isn't likely your problem. Adding grounds will also not solve the root problem. Toyota built millions of these things all with the exact same grounding points that aren't having issues, so no need to over-engineer it.

 

[f-it]

Thanks everyone, I took off the battery terminals and cleaned them today and it seems to have fixed the problem. I can't exactly tell since I can't replicate the problem but so far so good. Thanks
Shawn