FJ62 Sometimes won't start

[The Baron]

About a year ago, I stopped to drop my kid off at camp. Turned the otherwise perfectly running FJ62 off and returned a few minutes later. Turned the key and nothing...dash lit up but no clicking or starter sounds at all. About 15 minutes later, turned the key again and "voila!" she roared to life.

Dropped her at the shop and was told I had a faulty starter. Starter replaced. About a week later, same thing. Shop (my former) said it must have been a cable, "Starter's fine". Didn't happen again for a while.

Then, about 3 months ago, it happened again. Took to shop - new - starter they said..."happens sometimes that the new ones are faulty". Replaced starter. Now, the same thing has happened a few times since. Fortunately, it ultimately starts after sitting for as few as a few minutes and as much as some hours.

The symptoms are akin to trying to start the car when its tranny is in drive or reverse. Things light up but nothing happens. One thing I think I noticed is that when it's working properly, the yellow check engine light comes on when the key is turned. I can't recall for sure, but I think that when it's acting up, that yellow light may not activate.

Any thoughts on where the gremlins are hiding on this one will be greatly appreciated.

FYI - The truck has 92,000 miles and is in very good overall condition with no modifications. Within the past year I have replaced the alternator and starter. All maintenance is up do date and has been performed at or ahead of schedule.

Ian

 

[grime]

baron,

I have a 1988 and have the same problem come up recently, Its happened every time after driving a bunch in traffic. First time it happend it was at home, so I took another car that night, next morning truck started right up. Couple days later I was driving around in rush hour, stopped the truck for about 15 minutes, tried to start the truck nothing. Same symptoms you describe above. I banged on the starter a little bit, and eventually it turned over. So I thought time to change starter. Bought one, still drove the rig cause it starts... problem hasn't come back (been about a week and a half since it has) I haven't changed the starter yet... I've been holding out just incase thats not the problem



weird

 

[srplus]

had similiar prob in '91 fj80

called my friend at the body shop and he said to take it out of park and put it back in and try again... this happened several times and every time i did the take it outta park and put it back in it would crank.

could be you are not getting the "i'm in park signal" to the starter switch.

 

[The Baron]

My experience is the same. Traffic or long(ish) drives. Tried the park/neutral/drive/nuetral/park thing with no apparent luck. could be I just didn't try enough. A real PIA.

And the beat goes on...

 

[getto]

I had a similar problem with my 89, especially when hot- Toyo replaced the EFI Main Relay. No more starting issues.

 

[jharris979]

This thread may be helpful... https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=78383

 

[pvidrummer]

I used to have an 89 Isuzu trooper that did exactly the same thing, I took it to an isuzu dealer and they changed one of the ignition modules.
Problem solved

 

[The Baron]

It happened again today. Luckily, this time my mechanic was close by. We tapped the starter and it started. I had done this before with some success. We tried a few times and got the same result. They are replacing the replacement. Hopefully this will do the trick. However, if not, at least I now know where else to look. Thanks for the help all.
Ian

 

[zcruiser]

Check these two threads on starter rebuilds...

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=95331
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=90681

HTH...

 

[djsolution]

called my friend at the body shop and he said to take it out of park and put it back in and try again... this happened several times and every time i did the take it outta park and put it back in it would crank.

could be you are not getting the "i'm in park signal" to the starter switch.

My cruiser knowledge is nil, but I had this same problem on my wife's Honda. Ended up being a faulty gear position sensor - told the computer the car was in gear when it was in park. Before the fix the only way to get it to start was to put it in gear then back to park a few times.

 

[The Baron]

After all was said and done, my mechanic replaced the starter again only to discover that there was a faulty connection in the wiring to the device. So, we're now on our fourth starter - none of which was probably needed - and, seemingly, doing fine. Them danged wires.

Thanks for the help. Good thoughts all and very much appreciated.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

After all was said and done, my mechanic replaced the starter again only to discover that there was a faulty connection in the wiring to the device. So, we're now on our fourth starter - none of which was probably needed - and, seemingly, doing fine. Them danged wires.

Thanks for the help. Good thoughts all and very much appreciated.

I'll say it......that's a dern shame. How does a pro miss that? After the second 'bad new starter' flags shoulda been flying. Basic stuff I tell ya.
Unless the shop owner's your brother-in-law, and you get free labor, find a new shop.