Vehicle won't start, starter just clicks!

[BrianSD_42]

Have you been testing the voltage periodically?

I would test it every time you try to start the car, before turning over the engine.

You can buy a car voltage/battery tester with a cig-lighter adapter for ~ $10 on Amazon.

 

[SactownLarry]

Fixed It.
Now the kicker was; the first thing we checked was the Starter Relay. Did several checks with the multimeter and 9v battery for both continuity and to hear it opening - and ALL checked good.
But after describing the symptoms a mechanic friend insisted it was the relay.
Jumped the starter relay and voila - it started, after almost 9 days of being unstartable.
Instead of paying the dealer price for a new starter relay and Autozone's $45, I went to the local Pick - n - Pull and got a used one for $7.

Things I did.
1) Replaced the starter
2) Went through the entire battery/starter/alternator/fuse box wiring harness
3) Replaced several fuses and in-line fuses
4) Replaced the ignition starter switch
5) Attempted to reset the security system and ECU
6) New battery terminals
7) Rewired battery to fuse box cabling
8) Drank a lot of Vodka...
... and it was the first thing we checked and it showed all good results.

My recommendation to all those thinking unstartable is due to starter - jump the starter relay #3 and #5 pins in the fuse box, this will give you the automatic determination if the starter is good or its something else.
- The ignition switch must be in the ON position,
- Use ample thickness wire, I used 12gauge
- If it starts plug the old starter relay back into the fuse box.

 

[g3salcido]

1999 toyota 4runner sr5 2wd

my 4runner wont start, it will just click like others have stated. This morning i replaced the entire starter with a brand new one, however it still just clicks. I am not sure what to do next. I

 

[catrains]

my 4runner wont start, it will just click like others have stated. This morning i replaced the entire starter with a brand new one, however it still just clicks. I am not sure what to do next. I

if you read what was posted before , start testing to determine your failure. its all here ..

 

[4runne']

Fixed It.
Now the kicker was; the first thing we checked was the Starter Relay. Did several checks with the multimeter and 9v battery for both continuity and to hear it opening - and ALL checked good.
But after describing the symptoms a mechanic friend insisted it was the relay.
Jumped the starter relay and voila - it started, after almost 9 days of being unstartable.
Instead of paying the dealer price for a new starter relay and Autozone's $45, I went to the local Pick - n - Pull and got a used one for $7.

My recommendation to all those thinking unstartable is due to starter - jump the starter relay #3 and #5 pins in the fuse box, this will give you the automatic determination if the starter is good or its something else.
- The ignition switch must be in the ON position,
- Use ample thickness wire, I used 12gauge
- If it starts plug the old starter relay back into the fuse box.

Don't you mean replace the old starter relay??? If it starts by jumping the #3 & #5 pins, doesn't that mean the old replay is bad??

 

[4Rosey]

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?

I'm resurrecting an old thread here but I also need some input on this issue. I got my 98 SR5 3.4 Auto on Friday and it is now Sunday. It has started fine up until this morning and when I got home from picking up a dryer, I got back in to park it up front and it just clicked, single click so I got a jump pack to rule out the battery and It has the same issue, single click. I tapped the starter a little bit for s**ts and grins and it still does the same thing. Any input would be greatly appreciated as I was supposed to go on a pretty fun trail ride today but now I have to go shopping with my girlfriend instead :mmph:

 

[mtbtim]

I'm resurrecting an old thread here but I also need some input on this issue. I got my 98 SR5 3.4 Auto on Friday and it is now Sunday. It has started fine up until this morning and when I got home from picking up a dryer, I got back in to park it up front and it just clicked, single click so I got a jump pack to rule out the battery and It has the same issue, single click. I tapped the starter a little bit for s**ts and grins and it still does the same thing. Any input would be greatly appreciated as I was supposed to go on a pretty fun trail ride today but now I have to go shopping with my girlfriend instead :mmph:

Could be the starter contacts. Here's a video for replacing the contacts if you decide to pull the starter.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WV1t5-wcoOI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[nobb]

Could be the starter contacts. Here's a video for replacing the contacts if you decide to pull the starter.

Great video. I did this recently and took measurements of the plunger to compare with the $10-20 eBay ones. As long as you get a plunger with the below dimensions, there is absolutely no reason to get the OEM one. For the contacts, you can get the $20 Dorman rebuild kit which comes with 4 different contact styles. 2 of which are exact same shape as OEM, but I would recommend using the oversized ones that also come in the box. More area, so should perform better and last longer.

Plunger sizes:
overall length - 96.8mm
copper disc OD - 34.9mm
inner cylinder OD - 20.7mm

 

[4Rosey]

After changing the starter and relay just for s***s and giggles it ended up being weak connections to the starter. It's all fixed up now. Thank you guys for the help.

 

[SR5_4Runner]

Was this resolved? If so how was it fixed?