Really hard to crank to start-why?

[Carpe Discus]

I turn the key, and it just barely budges. Again, same result. Try a couple of more times, and the engine turns over about once per try. After 4-5 times , it finally turns over enough to start. What's going on?

New battery, new alternator/regulator, terminals are military-style, sized correctly for pos-neg (connection was a problem to the old battery). It almost seems like the engine isn't lubricated enough or something. I'm assuming the starter itself probably isn't it since it gets better with each crank.

 

[cruiser88]

Check the wiring such as the stuff going to the starter and check the fusible link......its right around the area of the battery.

 

[2mbb]

check for corrosion or bad connections related to the high-amp cabled going to and from the starter. It sounds like you've check the battery post to connector, but also make sure the connection between the connector and the cable isn't corroded. Also be sure to check your ground points and straps. The electrons have to flow back to the battery, too!

 

[lehiguy]

I think you may have a tired starter. You can have it tested, they are easy to remove. It should spin freaky fast with no load. If it doesn't, and the guy testing it should know from experience, she's pooped out.

 

[concorddesk]

souds like plunger not moving...rebuild replace starter. ...Reman from Toyota w/12 month war. cheaper than other stores.
I just replaced mine and it was orig. w/ 246000 miles on it How many starts??

 

[Carpe Discus]

Good question. I believe it is original, about 190K miles on it (1983). It seems to come and go.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Mine had 280,000 when I finally spent the $40 and rebuilt it with new contacts and a new plunger. You can't get parts for the 60 starter anymore. You have to buy and 80's starter kit which is the same parts. Some Toyota dealerships might not know this. CDan did and the mud writeup also mentions it.

 

[cruiser88]

I have a 62 starter if you need it. It is like 2 years old or so.....35 bucks plus the ride

 

[bigDcruiser]

similar problem here. chug, chug, chug, chug. !!!! repeat, repeat, repeat. get out, raise hood, shake corrosion from positive post and repeat. definatley not the battery b/c it just kept trying until she started. going out to replace the post clamp w/ a brass one and add post grease. hope that will help but i don't know why i'm getting so much corrosion.