Vehicle won't start, starter just clicks!

D

dcummiskey

New member
My vehicle has had problems starting for the last few weeks, and the other day it wouldn't start...the starter just clicked.
I pulled the starter and battery, got them tested-both were fine.
Put the starter and battery back in, and replaced the starter relay for sh*ts n giggles-didn't change anything.
I'm wondering if it could be my starter wiring harness????
Anyone got any other ideas, I'm not really electrical savvy?!?!?

Thanks,
Dave
 
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Buy a voltmeter and check each connection till you see where you are losing power, I find it hard to believe that your starter and battery tested fine if your vehicle isn't starting. Starter contacts are a common problem for 4Runners so maybe they tested fine but are still on the out? Hard to diagnose from a computer. Does it click multiple times or just once?
 
You probably need new starter contacts, its a pretty comon issue and its really easy to change them out, it actually takes longer to pull the starter than it does to change the contacts.
 
Before you go to those lengths check your battery terminals. I had a similar problem and it turns out it was just corrosion on them. They actually make a special tool to clean them too. About the size of a spark plug socket with a wire brush built in. Works quite well. Had the same problem, used that and started just fine.
 
Toyota. I paid around 55 for the contacts and a new plunger. The plunger made up a good chunk of that and is sort of optional, but I would put a new one in there since you have to removed it anyway. It does take a few days to get these parts.
 
dcummiskey said:
Where did you get the contacts? I tried autozone...nothing but full starters and solinoid.

Thanks
Click to expand...

you gotta get them from toyota dealership. i paid around 30-40 bucks for them. 2 small pieces of metal i remember. taking out the starter is the task tho. changing the pieces are not too hard.

do you have 2wd or 4wd? its easier on the 2wd than 4wd

if its your first time doing it and you have all the correct tools (just some rachet sets long extensionns, maybe breaker bar and long screwdriver set thats it) should take you no more than 3 hours. however devote half a day to doing it since you can run into some bolts that are pretty tight.

just use the link that he posted or search for "starter contacts"
 
I'm gonna try the contacts before anything else. Seems to make sense cost wise.
I might as well pull the starter, did it once already....came out preatty easy, maybe cause its 2wd
I'll let you know if it works...Thanks everyone for the input!
Dave
 
It was the contacts!!!! Changed them the other day, super easy and quick...dealer had them in stock.Thanks for the info.
Take it easy,

Dave
 
Were you able to fix the prob.
I too am having similar issues and I'm out of ideas.

1) Replaced the battery, twice, on third batter in less than 3 years
2) Replaced the starter solenoid plunger and contacts
3) Replaced the Neutral Safety Switch - adjusted
4) Ensured all fuses and wiring were cleaned, to include replacing the ground wire from battery to side of engine compartment with heavier gauge wire.
5) Checked the ignition switch, gave proper voltage reading
6) Replaced both battery terminal connectors.
7) Alternator checked out good

Now the thing is, the vehicle will start without any problems for a duration, days or weeks, then all of a sudden, just clicking. In fact it has come to the point where I can attempt to start it for minutes, literally 15 minutes, and sometimes it will start. Then after starting without any problems for a duration, it would only click all over again. Lately, oddly enough, I sprayed the electrical cleaner into the box, suturing it, and a few minutes later it started... I attempted to extract the fuse box to replace the battery link wire but I was unable to figure out how to separate the upper portion of the fuse box to get access to that connection.
Tomorrow I'm going to find the other battery ground, ensure its cleaned and good to go.

I have a distinct case of a Gremlin...
 
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SactownLarry said:
Were you able to fix the prob.
I too am having similar issues and I'm out of ideas.

1) Replaced the battery, twice, on third batter in less than 3 years
2) Replaced the starter solenoid plunger and contacts
3) Replaced the Neutral Safety Switch - adjusted
4) Ensured all fuses and wiring were cleaned, to include replacing the ground wire from battery to side of engine compartment with heavier gauge wire.
5) Checked the ignition switch, gave proper voltage reading
6) Replaced both battery terminal connectors.
7) Alternator checked out good

Now the thing is, the vehicle will start without any problems for a duration, days or weeks, then all of a sudden, just clicking. In fact it has come to the point where I can attempt to start it for minutes, literally 15 minutes, and sometimes it will start. Then after starting without any problems for a duration, it would only click all over again. Lately, oddly enough, I sprayed the electrical cleaner into the box, suturing it, and a few minutes later it started... I attempted to extract the fuse box to replace the battery link wire but I was unable to figure out how to separate the upper portion of the fuse box to get access to that connection.
Tomorrow I'm going to find the other battery ground, ensure its cleaned and good to go.

I have a distinct case of a Gremlin...
Click to expand...

Spark? Fuel?
 
BrianSD_42 said:
All,

OP already said it's fixed lol
Click to expand...


Yeah, but we got a new guy who tacked on a new issue.

Doc2012 said:
5 year bump.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Hey, proved he searched.

SactownLarry said:
Were you able to fix the prob.
I too am having similar issues and I'm out of ideas.

1) Replaced the battery, twice, on third batter in less than 3 years
2) Replaced the starter solenoid plunger and contacts
3) Replaced the Neutral Safety Switch - adjusted
4) Ensured all fuses and wiring were cleaned, to include replacing the ground wire from battery to side of engine compartment with heavier gauge wire.
5) Checked the ignition switch, gave proper voltage reading
6) Replaced both battery terminal connectors.
7) Alternator checked out good

Now the thing is, the vehicle will start without any problems for a duration, days or weeks, then all of a sudden, just clicking. In fact it has come to the point where I can attempt to start it for minutes, literally 15 minutes, and sometimes it will start. Then after starting without any problems for a duration, it would only click all over again. Lately, oddly enough, I sprayed the electrical cleaner into the box, suturing it, and a few minutes later it started... I attempted to extract the fuse box to replace the battery link wire but I was unable to figure out how to separate the upper portion of the fuse box to get access to that connection.
Tomorrow I'm going to find the other battery ground, ensure its cleaned and good to go.

I have a distinct case of a Gremlin...
Click to expand...


This symptom set really sounds like a charging issue. You're killing batteries at a ridiculous rate. Are you sure they weren't just low on charge? The problem needs a little more analysis and and testing and a little less part-changing. You're gonna need a digital multi-meter. Less than $15 for a cheapie which will be fine for this.

If you charge the battery in place does it fix the problem? Does the problem occur more the longer the truck sits? Does a jump resolve the issue? Yes to any of these questions would indicate I'm on the right track.

First, load test the battery and insure its fully charged. Have to have a good battery to start with, even if the problem is elsewhere. Hit the headlights for 20 seconds. Then check key-off voltage. Should be at least 12.5 volts.

To check charging, get a volt meter and check your charging voltage AT THE BATTERY. Should be 13.5 - 14.5 volts. The other possibility is a key-off current leak which discharges your battery while it sits off.

To rule out a leak, connect a test light between the negative battery terminal and its battery post after the truck has sat for a while. If the light comes on, you have excessive leakage. Then start pulling fuses until the light goes out. That last fuse is the circuit with the leak.

Welcome to the forum.
 
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The only reason I stated I'm on the third battery is because I though it was the battery. Oddly it did start when I installed a new battery, then eventually I'd have an episode of it not starting, just "clicking", then all of sudden it would start without touching the battery, I think I messed with the neutral safety switch that time. I had the most recent battery checked for voltage as well the alternator. It started twice with a jump, but other times it wouldn't to include from a tow truck service.

I just changed out the starter, just to be sure, and it's not it. As well, completely going through the wiring harness, checking all wires for corrosion as well continuity - all checked good.

I just ordered an ignition starter switch.
But in the meantime I'm looking for the security controller, to reset it. Maybe it's the engine immobilizer, if I have one. Can't find the controller, looked in the driver side kick-panel, under the seat, under the steering column. Next place to look is the rear hatch panel.

Anybody know how to detach the panel...
 
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