turn key-hear one click??

[98yota_guy]

Thank you guys in advance for whatever help you can provide.

I have a 98 sr5

When I first bought my 4runner I took it offroading, and the alternator went out. I replaced the alternator and battery as I discovered the battery was bad too. After I replaced both of those, I tried turning key and heard one click assuming it was the starter. I took the starter off and took it to advance and had it tested and it tested good. I put it back on still wondering what the problem was, after the reinstall of the starter, I tried turning the key and it started right up.

I had no problems with it until about a little over a week ago after I had made about a 200 mile trip to my mother-in-laws. Figuring it was just the starter, I had it towed to a local garage up there, and sure enough, they said the starter was bad. I had the starter replaced, and drove it back home, and haven't had any problems out of it until tonight. I drove to mcdonalds, went inside, came out to leave, I turn the key, and once again I hear just one click each time I turn the key. What could the problem be? It is really bugging me as my 4runner is still in the parking lot.

Once again, thanks for any help!!!

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Thank you guys in advance for whatever help you can provide.

I have a 98 sr5

When I first bought my 4runner I took it offroading, and the alternator went out. I replaced the alternator and battery as I discovered the battery was bad too. After I replaced both of those, I tried turning key and heard one click assuming it was the starter. I took the starter off and took it to advance and had it tested and it tested good. I put it back on still wondering what the problem was, after the reinstall of the starter, I tried turning the key and it started right up.

I had no problems with it until about a little over a week ago after I had made about a 200 mile trip to my mother-in-laws. Figuring it was just the starter, I had it towed to a local garage up there, and sure enough, they said the starter was bad. I had the starter replaced, and drove it back home, and haven't had any problems out of it until tonight. I drove to mcdonalds, went inside, came out to leave, I turn the key, and once again I hear just one click each time I turn the key. What could the problem be? It is really bugging me as my 4runner is still in the parking lot.

Once again, thanks for any help!!!

Is the battery voltage under 12V when the solenoid on the starter clicks? If not, then I would look at the battery connection and cable.

 

[csp]

Battery voltage isn't an indicator of anything. It takes amperage to turn a starter over and a battery can have 12v but not enough amperage to do the job.

Have the battery load tested. You either have a bad battery, bad cables, or a bad connection somewhere in the starting circuit.

Don't throw parts at it. Have them tested.

 

[FROGrunner]

You need to have the battery load tested as stated before, could also be a defective starter... See it happen all the time with remanufactured starters. Could have probably replaced just the starter contacts on the starter itself. A kit is around 10 bucks at the dealer.

 

[Dirtyfingers]

Check all your connections!

 

[vm_boy]

Sometimes mine will do the same: insert key, turn...click...nothing. With the older vehicles, the keys and ignition switch get worn down. You might try wiggling the key in the ignition a little bit...maybe push/pull the key up or down within the ignition switch. See if that helps. It might just be a matter of holding your mouth just right.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Battery voltage isn't an indicator of anything. It takes amperage to turn a starter over and a battery can have 12v but not enough amperage to do the job.

Have the battery load tested. You either have a bad battery, bad cables, or a bad connection somewhere in the starting circuit.

Don't throw parts at it. Have them tested.

Voltage is an indicator of a few things. As I said in my post, do the volts go below 12v while the solenoid is clicking, which implies you are loading the battery. Sorry, I should have specified that. I was just trying to give the guy something he could look at right away because it's broke down in a parking lot and he can't get it to a autozone ,etc to test it. Also, if even before, the key is turned, the voltage is low ,that could indicate a parasitical current draw somewhere and without sufficient voltage you wont have sufficient cranking amps.

 

[richmeyer]

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

 

[98yota_guy]

Thanks guys!! The battery, alternator, and starter all tested good. I have quite a bit of little wires for my train horn, offroad lights, an amp wire, etc. For some reason there was a marine terminal on the battery and I didn't notice it before. I took off all wires except wires to starter and fuse box and ran to get it home. I redid all of the wires they should be and put the coated auto terminals on it. It runs just fine now and starts up every time. The cables were loose before I did that and now I've got all the wires where they should be and connected right. Few hours of work, but I know its done right, and it starts up every time. Seems like a bad/loose connection. Fixed now though!!! Thanks guys!!

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Thanks guys!! The battery, alternator, and starter all tested good. I have quite a bit of little wires for my train horn, offroad lights, an amp wire, etc. For some reason there was a marine terminal on the battery and I didn't notice it before. I took off all wires except wires to starter and fuse box and ran to get it home. I redid all of the wires they should be and put the coated auto terminals on it. It runs just fine now and starts up every time. The cables were loose before I did that and now I've got all the wires where they should be and connected right. Few hours of work, but I know its done right, and it starts up every time. Seems like a bad/loose connection. Fixed now though!!! Thanks guys!!

Glad to see you got it (and my diagnosis was spot on :whoo