Starter won't start, but relay will click??

[Cheesemaker]

Here's your fix!! 

I've had this issue for a while.  I even had a jumper wire I made for the starter solenoid, when it would happen. 

In this picture I found on the interweb, these are the wires that go to the starter relay.  In Toyota's infinite wisdom, they put a relay to help alleviate the load put on the ignition switch.  BUT, both power leads comes from the ignition switch.     So, if you take the thicker wire that is diagonal from the smaller black wire with red stripe.  And cut it.  Splice in a power lead from the battery with a 30 amp fuse to the end going to the plug.  And just tape off the other end of the cut wire, since you won't need that.  See in the picture. 





I am linking the original post so you can read about it.  Since I can't take all the credit. 
http://www.yotatech.com/f199/terrys87-86-4runner-2nd-chance-247386/index100.html#post52194586


What is funny, I was looking up something completely not related to "Toyota" or "Starter Issues" under Google Images, when I ran across this picture.  So, I had to follow it up, and low and behold, it was the solution to an issue I had!!  But, I didn't cut the wire, YET!  I made jumper wires that would go from one terminal to the other corresponding terminal, except for the power wire.  I didn't want to start hacking wires, if it wasn't the fix.  If I don't have any issues, for some time, I will make it look better later on. 

[czny]

This simple fix ought to be a sticky, somewhere.
A friend's 89 4Run does this sometimes start, sometimes not & never when its in my driveway for repairs of course.

[4xChinook4]

Good stuff.👌  some info I forgot I needed too, haha

[Cheesemaker]

Yeah, I knew this was a common issue with Toyota's, including mine.  And when I found it, I had to share!   

[1980firstgen20r]

I have this same problem with my 3.0 v6
Won't start sometimes mostly if I shut of off with my headlights on
But if I have some one tap on the starter it fires right up
I even got a new starter but it still does it

[4runner17]

I just bypassed relay completely and ran a push button with inline fuse.

[2G4R]

thanks for the info

[maxreilly]

just bought a 1988 4runner.  The owner told me of this issue.  He installed a secondary emergency start switch under the hood.  I have not invetigated but seems to be a oem circuit voltage drop issue with old contact switch contact resistance in the circuit.  Good battery and resistance check at each point could prove issue. Have not needed to use previous owners switch, but his insulation of the switch laying on the fender needs attention...