Intermittent Starting

[Kris]

Hey everyone!
I have a strange one for you... My 4runner (87 5-speed 22rte) has been acting up recently. Probably because I haven't been driving it.

So here's the symptoms: Randomly will not start. ie will not turn-over or click...nothing. However, the lights etc. work, the volt meter says it has ~12volts (as does my multimeter). It does bump start.

Currently I am thinking it is the clutch switch. Anyother ideas?

I have checked fuses/contact points and they all seem ok.

 

[KLF]

Do you have the Clutch Start override switch on the dash? I got rid of mine, there is a simple jumper you can put in to disable the entire system.

Are you sure the start contacts are OK?

I had this problem last fall and it was a bad ignition switch, the contacts inside were worn out. Fortunately I had a spare in my parts hoard.

Also, check the trigger wire on the starter, the one with the spade connector. It can get really dirty and loose.

 

[pappy]

Start simple.

• Check all the cables, especially the clamps at the battery. Don't assume they are OK because they look OK from the outside. I have had them fail inside the clamps where the cable enters (took forever to figure this one out). Check both the positive and the ground. I had a ground cable fail at the battery in Baja last year.
  
• Check your grounds. At the battery to fender, and engine to firewall.
  
• Stick a volt meter on the battery. You want at least 12.4V. 12.7V is better.
  
• Check the fusible link in the fuse block next to the battery (though if the lights work it's probably not the problem).

If all the cabling is OK, then as KLF said look at the starter. Just make sure that BOTH connections are on the starter. One is the heavy lead from the battery. The second is the small wire from the ignition switch.

 

[Kris]

All very good ideas.

Thankfully it has been starting recently and thankfully it has been nice enough I can ride my motorcycle if it decides not to start.