Cruiser won't start, yes I'm a tard. (1 Viewer)

[40acres&acruiser]

Let me be clear, I have searched, but I'm so clueless I do not know where to begin.

Went to start the cruiser today and Nothing. No click, No turnover, no Nothing. Interior lights still work, headlights work, but somewhat dim. Radio works. Try to jump it and still nothing. Give up due to rain.

Go back out (better weather) and try to start and just get faint clicking. All lights/radio still work. Did not have another vehicle to jump with at that time. Try again, just a few faint clicks, not even a remote attempt to turnover.

Am I looking at just a battery issue, starter issue, or something else? If it is the starter how do I know if I (info from searches) get a new one, rebuild it with kit, or clean the contacts? I am a ZERO guy, but trying to learn. If I can't get the father in law to show/help me, I'm destined for the dealer.

Please pretend I am a 4th grader and tell me all I need to know. I expect a fair amount of ribbing, and I can take it, just please be helpful along with the b*ll busting.

97 LC w/ 136K miles. As far as i know (so let's assume) the starter is original and the contacts have never been cleaned. Thanks.

 

[extremetoy1]

SEARCH....... starter contacts, buy a rebuild kit from dan- fairly easy job just a tight working space to do it in

 

[johnny4ever]

Cables?

Are both the postive and negative terminals tight on the battery posts?

J

 

[40acres&acruiser]

cables

I did check the battery cables and they are on correctly and tight.

EXTREME, are you telling me that my situation IS the starter itself, and cleaning the contacts and a rebuild kit will put me back on the road. Or, is this just first step in troubleshooting the problem?

 

[Beowulf]

Am I looking at just a battery issue, starter issue, or something else?

How old is the battery and where do you live? In places like Phoenix, you would be doing good to get 3 years out of a battery. That's what it sounds like to me.

If you report back that the battery is in good condition, then it could be the starter contacts. For a 0-banana guy with no tools and knowledge, then you would probably want to get a reman from the dealer and have them install it for you. If you have some basic metric tools and a desire then we can talk you through the R&R to "rebuild" the starter. Actually, it is just replacing the contacts and the plunger (~$30 in parts.) The job will probably take you 3 hours for a newbie.

I do not recommend cleaning the starter contacts other than for a trail-fix. I had to do that (clean them) when mine failed the first time about 5 years ago. They lasted about 3 months but that was OK 'cause I knew exactly what to do and had the parts on hand.

-B-

 

[Romer]

Sounds like a weak battery to me. How old is it. standard batteries tend to go after 2 years, better quality ones last longer.

Easy to take it in and have it tested or sawp with one from another vehicle for a quick test.

Starter contacts would not have cause the no starter cranking issue in the first try and a clciking would be more likely solinoide rather than contacts.

I think its battery or poetntially charging system if the battery is good.

Just my opinion

 

[40acres&acruiser]

Thanks

I live near Chicago, the weather has been very very erratic of late. I just bought the vehicle 1 month ago, so I am not sure of the age of the battery, I will look tomorrow in daylight. Do you think I should try to jump it again, to get her running, or will doing this cause any further damage? That way I can get her running and take it to the dealer for a true diagnosis? Also, since I have had the vehicle, when I start her there is a stutter/lag in starting. It never sounded "bad," but I would say that from turning the key to engine start ~1-2 seconds lag. Is that normal, or was it a precurser to my current problem.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Find something like a broomstick or metal bar long enough to let you tap the starter firmly while someone's turning the key. If the contacts are stuck, this frequently frees them until the next time you're 30 miles from home in a rainstorm with the early symptoms of a blown appendix....

DougM

 

[Romer]

Don't go to a dealer. Go to Napa or anm auto parts store and have them check the battery, they do it free. I prefer Napa as they sell the orbital battery which is a pretty good battery.

The delare will charge you $80 to test and replace plus the cost of the delare battery.

 

[Beowulf]

Do you think I should try to jump it again, to get her running, or will doing this cause any further damage?

Yes, jump start it. If you do it correctly, you will not do any damage.

-B-

 

[40acres&acruiser]

I edited my last post with a bit more info, dont know if that sheds anymore light on this, but thanks for all the replies...

 

[IdahoDoug]

You haven't done a search, or you'd know about the starter contacts BTW. No worries, but you should know that one time soon the contacts will engage and start the car, but not disengage. So the starter will be running while the engine is running. If you cannot loosen the battery ground fast enough you could ruin the starter or have an electrical fire. Just know what you're doing.

Your post about the symptoms of delayed start above indicate a classic "needs starter contacts" situation. So, an hour's work and $22 to Cdan for correct Toyota parts, or $500 to the dealer for a new starter.

DougM

 

[40acres&acruiser]

You haven't done a search, or you'd know about the starter contacts BTW.

Doug I did search, and I did mention the starter contacts in my posts. However, I did not know about them staying engaged and the possible fire situation. Thanks for the heads up. This morning I did another jump, and got it to start. So I think the acute problem was a dead battery, however I will be looking into doing the contacts soon. I assume a new battery is my near future also. Thanks for all the help, and in the future I will do a more *thorough* search about my problems.
Thanks again.

 

[Jeremiaheaster]

standard batteries tend to go after 2 years, better quality ones last longer.

Thats what I thought, but just an FYI, I had a factory battery go 7 years in my escort before doing a PR replacment. I thought that was unusual, maybe a record?

 

[snowcruiser]

In addition to all of the suggestions above, you should check all of the battery cable connections. Not only at the battery but at the starter (positive) and the engine block (negative). Just follow the cables from the battery and you will find the connections. These sometimes corrode in wet environments. Additionally I would remove the terminal connections from the battery, clean the connections and reinstall. This is a likely culprit if you have a good battery but still have starting problems. Replacing the starter contacts is a good idea regardless of whether or not this is the cause of your current starting issue.

Good Luck!

 

[phxtlc]

Sounds like the battery, usually you'd here a click if the contacts are bad. If the battery is good (needs to be checked under load) then you want to trace the cables back from the teminals. Check tightness of the terminals, check that one of the cables hasn't come loose from the clamp. Check you fusible links (still there in a 93 right? Sorry, I'm a 3-FE guy) then do as previously posted and check connections at starter and ground points. 90 out of 100 times "click, click, nothing" means bad battery

 

[jjhancock]

I actually test drove your Cruiser before you bought it. I recall speaking with the owner while test driving it about what he has replaced, and I'm 99% positive he told me he put a new starter in it. I also seem to recall that he said he purchased it with ~ 105K on the clock, and he was selling it with 137K on the clock. I am unsure if he had the starter replaced or did it himself. Good luck.