Topic: Starter problem in the 98?

[wa4x4]

Well for the last couple days driving the 98 4runner I will go to turn the key and it will click...and nothing. Then I will let go of the key, turn it again, it will click, do it again and it will start right up. It doesn't do this every single time yet, but it does get me thinking if it wants to strand me somewhere, it can really easily. Battery was replaced 3 months ago, I think the starter is the original, I know the alternator is. Is it the starter?

Yeah, I know....n00b question.

[Willy Mammoth]

Sounds like a connection problem. Check all the cable connections and the connections at the starter including the ones at the solenoid to the starter motor.

If all the connections are good you may need a new solenoid because the contacts are pitted causing the motor not to run.

[wa4x4 [OP]]

Will do, and get back to you tomorrow most likely.

[HOODLUM]

It's most likely the contacts I've burned up 2 sets already from muddin it up. Contact Roger Brown @ 4Crawler. He sells a kit for this others may also but he's the one I've gotten them from.

[malodin]

there is a super easy fix to this, it works for all starters that are the gear reduction type, and most of the time you dont have to rebuild the starter or the contacts.  check, this link out and if you dont understand it or have questions pm me, http://4gcelica.net/diy/starter.html 

[Willy Mammoth]

Sounds like to me that the voltage drops off at the solenoid coil causing it to pull in with less force than is needed to make good contact to keep from burning up the contacts in the starter.

Makes sense to me, but you should first try jumping from the main battery terminal on the starter to the solenoid terminal to see if it makes any difference before doing any mods.

If that helps go ahead and use a secondary relay to get good voltage at the coil.

[wa4x4 [OP]]

Ya know, the problem hasn't come back in the last 2 days or so....so I'm going to drive about an hour tomorrow out of town, and just trust it.

[malodin]

it used to happen in my celica when i would drive for an hour or so or the weather was hot, the heat would cause the wire from the key to the starter solenoid switch(which is like a 10-12 guage wire) to build up way to much resistance.  its not a hard mod and you dont have to cut any wires at all, just run the key switch to starter solenoid to the relay, i just used the stock push in connector that plugs to the starter solenoid and it fit just fine on the blade of the relay.