Selectively Starting

[jhoodwil]

Hey everyone,

My 94 fjz runs like a champ. Had it's first leak, crankshaft seal, at 249K. Replaced, no worries. Now though she is starting to have this unique starting problem. I am fairly sure I read about this a year ago or so but it was not relevant at the time, and now I cannot find the thread.

I go to start, 30 % of the time turn key car, the other 70 %, you have to try to start it, nothing happens, sounds like everything should sound just no crank over. Now if you keep fittiling with it for ten minutes ( on average) it will randomly start, flooded but start; or after the first attempt if you walk away, come back 10 minutes later, it starts, not flooded.

Ideas? Toyota here in Madison is useless to help me

 

[Frankencruiser]

So occasionally you get no crank? Starter contacts. if you still have the OEM starter get new contacts and rebuild it.

 

[baggar11]

Have the starter contacts ever been replaced? I'd start looking there if I understand your post correctly. You're having a no crank starting issue. When you turn the key, nothing happens at all, correct?

 

[jhoodwil]

The starter contacts have never been replaced. When I took to the dealership (have ms so I can barely work on my own) they said they would start with replacing the starter, then ignition...etc until it is solved but no symptom was definitive...crusiers arent common out here so it is hard to find an experienced mechanic...

when you go to start, sometimes it starts instantly...but the majority of the time you turn the key and nothing...nothing at all, almost like the battery is dead, no starter click. Now I thought at first it was my battery cables because they are kinda lose, need new ones in general, but id wiggle them the car would then start...but then i noticed it wasnt me jiggling them it was the time between key turns...so i literally walk out to my car 10-15 minutes before i need to go anywhere, try to start, go back in, then return and the truck starts right up....

Ive read about low voltege from factory toyota and people have used a ford starter relay, or just wired their own...does this sound like a solution...or should i start with new starter, or is this another topic of a dead spot in the ignition?

 

[racer122]

I experienced the same randomness. Turned out my starter had wiggled loose and wasn't fully tightened up against the engine block, which I presume meant it had a weak ground.

When I tightened it up, the problem went away.

 

[baggar11]

Considering the mileage on your rig, take a look at the starter first.

 

[jhoodwil]

thanks for the suggestions guys, will keep you updated and if anymore ideas pls let me know

 

[Flank]

Agreed on starter - I had this and it got progressively worse until it was hit or miss if the truck would start. New 2Kw starter from toyota that I installed myself and have never had an issue since. (about 4 years past.)

 

[jhoodwil]

know what i am doing this weekend thanks, fingers crossed

 

[asheville]

Have a tech check the modular plug on the starter body. My 92 fj80 was doing the exact same thing. It turns out that this connection was not good, but with a little work (cleaned and spread the connectors) it starts every time.

 

[jhoodwil]

sorry for the long follow up but finally fixed it, wasnt the connection or the starter, after replacing it, and the symptoms continuing, tried a new battery, and it works, starts better than ever before

thanks

 

[jhoodwil]

had the pleasure of driving her into work today

 

[Romer]

Thanks for the follow-up

 

[concretejungle]

Y'all can keep throwing parts at it or just bypass the ignition and put a starter button in place. Ask me and several others how we know that!

 

[floridan surfer]

Yep

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/754709-starter-mod-everyone-needs.html

Pat