Very confused... (quite long)

[kaiser]

This morning I went out to start my truck, and when I cranked it, all it made was a low droning noise. I had to crank it four times for it to start-up, but right before it started it made a semi-loud popping noise (loud enough to make you say uh-oh, but not loud enough to make you shat in your pants). I stopped at Tom Thumb to get some gum and I went back out to start my truck and I had to crank it two time then to get it to start up. After school I went out to start it and it wouldn't start AT ALL, it rolled over but didn't have enough juice to get it going. But then after I got home I waited another three hours and it started perfectly fine.

Phew- I don't think I could have made that any longer

BTW- I went through some pretty deep water the other day (hood deep) and maybe that has something to do with it

 

[Gumballf355]

Perhaps something went bad with your ignition. I'm sure someone else with more experience will beable to point you in the right direction.

 

[racedirt1]

Is your air filter wet?

 

[shawnstcyr]

I went riding through some deep water the other day. Mine did something similar 2 days later, without the popping. I ended up changing the starter. I posted a thread on this entitled " starter replacement, 3.4 4wd"

 

[kaiser]

appreciate all the replys guys, but i went out to crank it this morning and it was dead flat again, but then I stopped at McDonalds and it was just fine so i'm going to advanced later today to replace the battery.

 

[juiceboxer]

If the water was hood deep, it could be possible that you sucked water in through the intake, just a thought.

 

[01goldt4r]

Do you have a stock air box, or cai?

Its not a hydrolock because it is still at least partially working, but i would go with the new starter

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Yeah man. This issue is more than likely not the battery.

Hood deep is very deep for a stock vehicle. Maybe you should look into a snorkel if you plan to do that often.

 

[rjyhdc4]

water is very bad for an engine, so you might want to think twice about that before you do it again. I would start with replacing the starter and see where that gets you.

 

[juiceboxer]

or at least test the starter before buying a new one, also have them check the battery as well, although it does not sound like a battery problem, start with the easiest thing first.

 

[01goldt4r]

When you go into deep water the things you need to worry about are hydrolock, the alternator(From Experience), and electricals, Get a diagnostic done somewhere and more than likely it will come back as the starter or some sort of short out in the electricals because you said that it just wouldnt turn over so the mechanicals seem to be in check

 

[kaiser]

Thanks for all the advice guys

 

[Pikeman]

I have a 98 and have not been in any water lately but have had similar issues. Sometimes it cranks just fine and others it clicks but doesnt engage so I think it might just be my solenoid on the starter that is going bad. Let me know what you find out and hope it is the simple thing.

 

[kaiser]

I replaced the battery today even though that may not have been the problem I shall let you know how it cranks in the next few days

There was a little water at the bottom of the air filter but none got in my intake.

 

[Gumballf355]

When you were hood deep in water did any of the water come into the cabin?? Did your carpets get wet? I wonder what is safe as fat as water forging debths for the 3rd gen 4runner. I always see Land Rovers in hood deep with no problems and windshield deep with a snorkle.

 

[kaiser]

It started up fine all day yesterday but today I went to start it and nothing again (and this is after a new battery), so you guys were saying it's my starter? But how would jumping it make it work if it was my starter?

No Gumball none of the water came into my cabin. It doesn't even look like it hit much of the engine. I was in it for a split second and then out (was in-n-out)

 

[Gumballf355]

Take a hammer and hit the started a two or three times... that should help you start the car. If that works it is truely your starter that needs replacing.

 

[kaiser]

So i figured out that something in my system is still drawing power when the truck is off, i did a small little test and learned it was coming from the thickest wire connected to the positive on the battery. If this is the starter wire is there a possibility its just the solenoid that went bad?