starter/battery issues!!!!!...please advise ASAP

[ctToyBoy]

I have a 1994 4x4 pickup w/the 3.0L V6 engine and 135,000 miles on it.  After installing my downey headers, I put my battery back in and tried to start the engine....no good.   So I hooked it up to a smalll battery charger and let it charge slowly(2 amps) all nihgt.  It still wouldn't start, so I put the charger on engine start mode and tried to start it.  No good, but this time I get a fast-paced clicking noise from the vicinity of the starter motor.  I called two mechanics and got the oppostie answers AS USUAL.  1 said buy a new starter motor, and the other said it sounded like a battery problem.  The starter motor has never had a problem (the contacts needed cleaning after a particularly muddy trail ride) and the connections appear intact and secure....I'm at a loss and really don't want to buy a new starter unless I'm positive it's the problem....anyone have any suggestions??

[79coyotefrg]

i dont know if the 3.0 starter is an underdrive or not, but it sounds like you deffinetly need a new starter, if money is tight, go to a wrecking yard and get a used one,   a underdrive,ie gear reduction starter if you can find it, more torque with less amps

[gferris5]

that sounds just about like every starter issue I've ever had. Does your radio/wipers/headlights work? if so, the battery is fine. Hit the starter with a hammer and see what happens if all it is making is a clicking sound. You'll be good as new.

[v1p3r]

It does sound like a starter problem.  And even with the headers it's not too bad to get the starter out.  Then have it bench tested.
Though NEVER hit the starter with a hammer.  It is the fastest way to destroy your starter.  Back in the good 'ol days and when starters like for my Chevelle only cost $30 it wasn't such a bad thing to try and jog loose a contact or solenoid plunger.  But for a starter that cost $300 a pop;  you may want to reconsider that type of advice.  I have to admit though.. being on a trail and stuck.. I'd try anything that worked.. but be advised! You might just need new contacts take a look at this :
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/index.html

[scott.475]

I don't know if chargin your battery for only 8 or so hours at 2 amps would be enough to charge it up enough to start. 2 amps is basically a trickle charge. Have you tried charging it at 15 amps for 12 hours or so, or overnight? If you are getting clicking when you put the "jump" load on the battery, but not without it, that sounds to me like a battery problem. If your battery was okay you would be getting the click even without the jump. I have a charger that can jump the battery too, but it doesn't work if the battery is drained real, real low.

[84runner]

Pull the battery out of your girlfriends, wifes, brothers, sisters, moms, dads, nieghbors car and see if it does the same thing.  If it does after trying all those batterys then its probably the starter.  Therefore procceed to step B grab the hammer, but don't hit, just tap the end of the started.  Now if it works after that then your comctacts in the starter are bad.  The clicking noise is the starter silenoid working but nothin else.