Alarm preventing starting? (1 Viewer)

[SteelHunterFJ80]

Hello all,

First off I have to say thanks to all the contributors to this great forum. Each time I start researching something, I end up coming across other how tos or threads that are really interesting, I think I have bookmarked over 50 threads for follow up reading!

So here is my problem:

I have a 93 LC 80 that I have completely stripped the interior out of except for the dash and the headliner in preparation to coat the interior with Lizard Skin Sound deadner. The car has been sitting for about 4 months as I would work a little bit here and a little bit there. We just bought a house and now I have to move the truck to our new place but it won't start.

Battery is fine, all the electronics like the heat blower fan and sunroof work great and have plenty of power. I do have all the doors stripped including the window power switches but kept the door handles and locks in. I think that somehow the alarm is preventing me from starting the truck as it sounds like the starter isn't engaging. While it was sitting, I disconnected the positive battery terminal to avoid draining the battery while it sat and I worked on it. I have set off the alarm twice as I try to get it back into Valet Mode.

Any thoughts on how to reset the alarm to allow me to start the truck? Should I disconnect the battery to reset? If so, what terminal first or does it matter? Is there a reset button on the alarm box located under the seat? Or am way off here on thinking that the alarm is the problem (all though it is the only variable that has changed since it last started by going off twice)? Lastly, I have used the search function thoroughly to try and find the answer but no luck. I did finally learn how to turn off the alarm with the key and how to put into valet mode

Thanks in advance!

 

[SteelHunterFJ80]

Okay just put back in all the power door lock and window switches and tried it...no luck. I'll try disconnecting the battery again to reset the alarm

 

[inkpot]

So the starter spins but does not rotate the motor, or the starter only clicks when you turn the key?

 

[SteelHunterFJ80]

So the starter spins but does not rotate the motor, or the starter only clicks when you turn the key?

Starter only clicks once loudly. No spinning.

 

[inkpot]

I would pull the starter and look over the contacts. May well need replacement. Common age/failure point.

 

[SteelHunterFJ80]

I would pull the starter and look over the contacts. May well need replacement. Common age/failure point.

Ok I'll do that. Now I am just starting to learn automotive repair shop forgive the dumb questions but if the truck has been sitting for 4 months and started fine before, what would change with the stater contacts? Can they crap out by just sitting there or lack of use?

 

[ajax1]

Make sure your battery is good if the truck has been sitting for 4 months check with multimeter

 

[inkpot]

Contacts wear out mostly due to use, but age can also factor in.

 

[DSRTRDR]

does the alarm have an interrupt key ? - last time our '93 didn't start the key had fallen out of it's holder

 

[ppc]

If you hear the starter click then it is not the alarm. Like inkpot suggested more than likely starter contacts along with weak battery.

 

[dcx13]

does the alarm have an interrupt key ? - last time our '93 didn't start the key had fallen out of it's holder

I had this exact thing happen. Spent hours going over everything, then finally found the the "key" had been nudge just loose enough to break contact, but not fall out.

But, on the topic of starters, I've got a 72 Corolla vintage rally car that sits for months at a time. Same symptoms. Usually a good tap on the starter with a decent sized wrench, etc, and it'll turn over on the next try.

 

[jonheld]

I had this happen a number of times. I sometimes forget to put the starter lug back on the battery terminal. When you take it off, it occasionally falls down behind the battery box. As soon as I turn the key to start and I get that loud "clunk", I sit back and laugh at myself.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Definitely not the alarm if the starter makes any noise at all. The alarm interrupts the signal to the starter, so if it was the alarm it wouldn't make any starter noise. You can try having someone hold the key on start while you use a plastic faced hammer, rubber mallet, deadblow hammer or a block of wood and hammer to give the starter a few moderate hits. Don't go whaling on it, but some moderate taps to the starter body will often facilitate starting with worn or stuck contacts.

 

[SteelHunterFJ80]

Hey I just wanted to follow up with a belated thank you to all who gave input....@LandCruisinMy93, @jonheld, @PCC, @inkpot. Turns out the meter advice was correct, charged up the battery and we are good to go! The truck is now sitting in my new driveway getting its first coat of Lizardskin sound deadning.