Trouble starting...

CoMarc

CoMarc

New member
So, recently my 4Runner has been having some problems starting up. When turning it on and trying to start it right away all I get is a click noise, but the engine doesn't turn over. It may do this up to 3 times in a row, and then it will try to turn over very briefly. If I give it a few moments the truck will then turn over like normal, start up and work fine. Everytime the 4Runner eventually starts up (within 30 sec), but I'm afraid it's going to get worse sooner than better.

Other notes: if the truck is warmed up, it has a less likely chance of this happening, and the battery appears to be holding a charge fine (no dimming lights or anything abnormal otherwise).

Does this sound like the starter is giving out or should I be looking at something else? Thanks for the replies!
 
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The starter contacts are worn. Just repalce the contacts and plunger for about $20, no need to replace your whole starter.
 
Just what Brian said, I had the same problem in mine and after searching around for the right part #'s I went to the stealership and they had they had the correct contacts. There are a couple good how-to's with pics floating around the net, google it. Its kind of a PITA to get the starter removed but pretty straight forward to replace the contacts before again rubix-cubing it back up in there. Good luck, certainly worth the effort instead of paying a couple hundo for a new starter when the one you got is just fine! Oh, and mine starts like a CHAMP now!
 
starter for sure.. i just changed the starter on my 97 camry v6 and it did the exact same thing. It acted like a dead battery so i replaced it , it needed to be replaced anyway. Pretty cheap easy fix. I got a replacement starter at the toyota junkyard for $50 w/ a 90 day warranty. might be easier than replacing contacts i dunno.
 
Alright, after doing some reading I'm gonna try replacing the contacts, and I think I can get to the starter, but I'm having a heck of a time finding where the bolts are that hold on the starter. I'm attaching a pic to see if it helps.... Can someone point them out to me and advise me how to get them out?

 
The contacts themselves took me ten minutes, the starter removal replacement took about 1.5 hrs. It needs to come out the fender well. If you have after market Upper Control arms with the larger Poly bushings it makes it that much more fun to squeeze it through there. I would identify the bolts for you but work computer wont let me view or load pics.
 
there is a thread on here showing step by step how to replace the contacts without removing the starter w pics not sure who wrote it but it was good
 
sounds exactly like the problem i had, replaced it and starts like normal again after i replaced starter contacts. cost me 29 bucks for both pieces at the dealership. followed a write up posted on here and got it done in 3 hours.

i heard its ALOT easier if you have a 2wd, but you can do it with the 4wd and not take the whole starter out.

i am a noob when it comes to cars and stuff, but just following the info on this website and using common sense, i got the problem fixed



as for the bolts to remove starter, it should be somewhere to the left of the starter if looking at the picture(at least for me) they were 13 mm bolts that held the starter in ..might have to feel around to see if u can get to the bolts. need a swivel and extension to get both bolts out. the bolts for me go from back to front horizontally.
 
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It took a bit of time, but I finally did get the starter off yesterday, but due to other engagements didn't get to the contacts (or the dealership to get new contacts). Also, I didn't have a swivel to get the bolts that hold the starter in place so I had to get creative :D

So, I'm getting in there now and see the contacts (lo and behold one of them is shot), but now I gotta figure out to remove the contacts. I'm assuming I'm going to need to remove the nuts on the outside of the starter... Does that sound correct?

Got them off! Now to wait till tomorrow to pick new ones up at the dealership...
 
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CoMarc said:
It took a bit of time, but I finally did get the starter off yesterday, but due to other engagements didn't get to the contacts (or the dealership to get new contacts). Also, I didn't have a swivel to get the bolts that hold the starter in place so I had to get creative :D

So, I'm getting in there now and see the contacts (lo and behold one of them is shot), but now I gotta figure out to remove the contacts. I'm assuming I'm going to need to remove the nuts on the outside of the starter... Does that sound correct?

Got them off! Now to wait till tomorrow to pick new ones up at the dealership...
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yea just remove the outer bolts, just however remember what order all the pieces came in, which comes first and which comes last. give the inside a good clean too , clean the plunger (the stick thing) with a wire brush.

and how in the world did u get the bolts out without a swivel? im guessing u took alot of other parts off to get a stright shot?
 
yea just remove the outer bolts, just however remember what order all the pieces came in, which comes first and which comes last. give the inside a good clean too , clean the plunger (the stick thing) with a wire brush.
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I've got all my bolts in order and together so I know how to put them back together (I'm a professional computer repair tech, but not so much an mechanic by any means). This is probably one of the bigger projects I've undertaken by myself on my vehicles. This is also probably the first time I've ever had so many tools readily available to me and a dry place to work in. However, it seems I'll need to acquire more tools!

and how in the world did u get the bolts out without a swivel? im guessing u took alot of other parts off to get a stright shot?
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Like I said, I got creative. I had to remote a bracket that held the exhaust pipes in place, then used an extension bar to give myself a bit more leverage to remove the top bolt. It was a slow process, but it finally came all the way out! I might just have to pick up a swivel when I go to put it all back in place....
 
I'm going to take quite a few more pictures of the process as I put it all back together for any others like myself that are not very mechanically inclined but like to save a few bucks...
 
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