Topic: Starter issue

[91 ex-cab]

My taco will just click once or twice before starting up perfectly. I don't think it is the starter though, cause my 91 does the same thing and it has a freshly rebuilt starter.
Any thoughts on this

[emsvitil]

Check/clean the battery/cable connections

[91 ex-cab [OP]]

Check/clean the battery/cable connections

Oh that was another thing I was gonna say, the battery connections are smothered in red grease. Could this be the issue? I have never seen this before. I have heard of putting a small amount on to prevent corrosion but they are both completely packed.

[junya92toy]

You can use grease, but it has to be a special de=electric grease. CHeck the connections, but its prob the battery if the starter is new. try to jump it.

[91 ex-cab [OP]]

I'll have to try jumping the battery, sorry if that wasn't clear but I have 2 trucks doing the same thing one with a fresh starter and one with an unknown starter. Someone told me it is probably the starter relay

[junya92toy]

Its prob the starter contacts not the relay. WHere did you get the "new or rebuilt" starters? usually the remans off the shelf are crap. Its best to replace the contacts yourself

[91 ex-cab [OP]]

Got the tacoma worked out, it was just the battery Still gotta work on the 91 though. The starter was rebuilt by one of my friends.

[junya92toy]

happens, how you learn

[locked 4x4]

that clicking sound is usually the sign of a bad battery or connection. 

[91 ex-cab [OP]]

Thanks for the help guys

[junya92toy]

that clicking is usually a sign of when the contacts go bad too

[kneedownnate]

True, or the ring on the plunger.  Mine does it and the contacts are worn but not too bad, but the ring is beat to snot so it misses 4-6 times before finally catching.

[junya92toy]

ya the plunger can go bad too, can you just get that or are you forced to get a new starter?

[kneedownnate]

I was told at the local toy dealer that you couldn't just get a plunger, but know somebody who works at another toy dealer in parts and they said it can be a pita to track down, but you can get it.  Also heard you can get them at kragen/oreilly, and I've seen them in rebuild kits on ebay.

[junya92toy]

Good to know, thanks

[emsvitil]

I put the plunger in my drill press and put a file against the copper to clean it up...........

There's plenty of copper to work with.