97 4Runner Starting problems

I have a 97 4 Runner that has ran like a dream. It still is but now I am having starting problems. In the beginning when I tried to start my toy it would act like it did not have enough juice. So I replaced the battery. The batter was bad but it was not the cause of the problem. A week or so after replacing the battery, the same thing happened again. When turning over the key it would act like there was not enough to get it started or it would just click and on the 3-5 try it would start like a champ. Is this a starter issue, contacts or ignition problem. I have only had one person ever work on my toy, it has been pampered, now that person is out of the dealership with a back injury, no idea when he will be returning. Please help.

If the symptom you are having is only a click, then it is likely the starter contacts are bad. These can be replaced by removing the starter and buy/installing new contacts.

If is turns over slowly and sometimes clicks, sometimes turns too slowly to start, it is likely it is either the starter relay, or the cable connections on the battery or the cable connections on the starter and engine block.

I would also check my alternator output to see if it is charging the battery. Take a digital volt/ohmmeter (dvom). Start the car (if you can) and take a reading across the terminals . make sure ofcourse that you are on the correct DC volt scale and remember red is positive. The positive terminal on the battery is usually the larger of the two. BTW does your voltmeter on your dash work? When under normal running conditions the voltage should be between 13.2-14.8v approx. My dash gauge is very basic and if yours is the same one may have to do some interpretation. A Dvom leaves no room for interpretation.
Another problem u can have is that the battery can actually discharge thru the alternator when the engine is not running. In a nutshell check your charging circuit.

I vote for starter contacts. My 96 is doing the exact same thing. The battery and alternator check fine, and once it does 'catch' it cranks immediately. Tends to do it more first thing in the morning. Some day I'll have a free Saturday morning.

You can tell by the symptoms, as I described above, whether it is likely to be the starter contacts or a connection problem. The alternator is not a problem if you don't have a warning light showing on your instument panel while you are running.

I would also check my alternator output to see if it is charging the battery. Take a digital volt/ohmmeter (dvom). Start the car (if you can) and take a reading across the terminals . make sure ofcourse that you are on the correct DC volt scale and remember red is positive. The positive terminal on the battery is usually the larger of the two. BTW does your voltmeter on your dash work? When under normal running conditions the voltage should be between 13.2-14.8v approx. My dash gauge is very basic and if yours is the same one may have to do some interpretation. A Dvom leaves no room for interpretation.
Another problem u can have is that the battery can actually discharge thru the alternator when the engine is not running. In a nutshell check your charging circuit.



thank you for your help. I was thinking that the starter was the problem I guess that i needed more comfirmation. I have a tech looking into geting me the parts to replace and hopefuly at a good price. So far for a new starter it is $175. That does not include anything els just the part.

Thanks again and have a good one. :-)
Charity

Probably a re-built starter, not new.

i was having the exact same problem as you (on my 99 4runner), I tried to replace the battery but it didnt do anything, I then settled on the fact I need to cough up the money for a new starter. Luckly, or unluckly, I was side swiped the day of my appointment, and i had 8,000 worth of damage done to my car, which was all paid for by the other persons insurance company :), and the auto body shop i brought to gave me a free starter for bringing them the busniess :) now all I need is to figure out my o2 sensor problem..ugh

1998 Runner V6, replaced copper contacts inside starter, was easier than rebuilduilding Domestic one.Don't forget the grease on the moiving parts after the rebuild.

And it was about 1/10 the cost.