After some phone troubleshooting (first time on the forum in a few days), we concluded that it's the ignition switch. Texted him yesterday to check in on replacement progress. Turns out none of the Toyota dealerships on his route have, or can get, an ignition switch within two weeks. As such, Del is making the trip back east, turning off the truck as little as possible, jumping the starter solenoid with a length of wire to the positive lug on the starter when he needs to start it again.
For others: Before replacing your starter in a no-crank (starter does not spin engine) situation, run through these tests:
1. Verify battery voltage is present. You want above 12.5v.
2. Verify presence of a click when key turned to "START" position. If click present but the starter does not turn, jump to step 4.
3a. If no click, take a 6" piece of wire with stripped ends, connect battery power lug on starter to solenoid signal connector.
3b. If starter turns at this stage, your starter is fine, your issue is the ignition circuit, from IGN START to solenoid.
3c. Key in "ON" ignition and jumping starter as described in 3a should start your truck so you can drive to safety/home
4. If click present, try jumping the truck, to get a voltage bump (in case voltage is too low, in case you cannot measure voltage)
5. If click present but starter still not turning after jump, take a hammer and tap on starter motor while attempting to crank
6. If all else fails, but click is present, then rebuild/replace starter
Drive save Del!
For others: Before replacing your starter in a no-crank (starter does not spin engine) situation, run through these tests:
1. Verify battery voltage is present. You want above 12.5v.
2. Verify presence of a click when key turned to "START" position. If click present but the starter does not turn, jump to step 4.
3a. If no click, take a 6" piece of wire with stripped ends, connect battery power lug on starter to solenoid signal connector.
3b. If starter turns at this stage, your starter is fine, your issue is the ignition circuit, from IGN START to solenoid.
3c. Key in "ON" ignition and jumping starter as described in 3a should start your truck so you can drive to safety/home
4. If click present, try jumping the truck, to get a voltage bump (in case voltage is too low, in case you cannot measure voltage)
5. If click present but starter still not turning after jump, take a hammer and tap on starter motor while attempting to crank
6. If all else fails, but click is present, then rebuild/replace starter
Drive save Del!
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