please help. 94 4runner wont start. not starter or battery

[williamd]

I have a 94 4runner with 3.0 L V6. A couple of times I tried to start it in the morning before work and nothing happened. But when I tried again it started.
This morning I tried again and I would get a clicking sound for 2 seconds then nothing. kept trying to start with no luck. I figured it was the starter so I replaced it. Same non starting problem. So I replaced the battery. Still same problem. What could this be???

[91 funrunner]

check your battery cables..... are they corroded or are the terminals corroded? b cuzz that will cause that...if they are remove your pos and neg wires and clean all of them w/ a wire brush and wate.........corrosion will climb way up into the insulation so if you have corrosion its a good idea to cut the insulation up a bit to see if its climb spread,if it has you should replace them. good luck lemme know how it goes

[91 funrunner]

wate = water

[Brian R.]

Check the starter relay.

[williamd]

Where is the starter relay located? What does it look like?

[Brian R.]

Normally it is in the fuse box by the battery and is a cube with 4 contacts. You have to pull the cube out to access the contacts. There are two pairs of contacts - the matching pairs are opposite each other.

One pair of contacts always has continuity and the other doesn't unless battery voltage is passed through the pair with continuity. Then the open circuit should close. If you have trouble starting, look for the open pair to stay open.

[williamd]

Thanks for the ideas, I pulled the fuse and cant tell if it is bad. All contacts look good. put it back in but no start. Tempted to connect contacts with wire but not sure if this is a good idea. Decided not to. Anyone know how much $$ a replacement is or trick to tell if fuse is bad.

[williamd]

I also cleaned the terminals well with wire brush and checked wires for corrosion and still no start.

[Brian R.]

Not a fuse. Relay. You have to test continuity. It will always look ok.

[williamd]

Can you believe it. It is not the starter relay either. I am now replacing the positive wire connector to the battery hoping this is it. Anyone with any other suggestions? Helllllllp

[Brian R.]

When it won't start, tap the starter with a wrench or a small hammer and see if that gets it to start.

[williamd]

Get this!!! I replaced the positive terminal wire attachment. Thought this could be it. When I turned the ignition key no start, just a click then nothing. really nothing. cant even get a reading. nothing works! can't even get the windows to go up.

[98SR5]

Hello,

I am new to this forum. I have a 98 4RunnerSR54WD and 1994CamryXLE. I have experienced this on both of my vehicles. It is a $25.00 fix. I went to the dealer and gave them my info on my vehicle and purchased the Starter Contacts for the vehicle. I then removed the starter and replaced the contacts one at a time matching each as I went on. This took care of the problem.

[williamd]

To date I have replaced starter, battery, battery cables. I am able to jump start vehicle from my wifes Landcruiser. Runs when I take cables off, but as soon as I touch brake with my foot to put in drive the whole car cuts off. I mean really dies. No power to use windows, dash lights, nothing... It totally dies like this if I try to start it on its own after I disconnect and reconect battery. Not a clue what the heck this could be...

[91 funrunner]

do you have an alarm?