Starter or starter solenoid?

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wesquire

wesquire

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Threads
2
Messages
92
Location
Little Rock, AR
Random issue with turning ignition illuminating dash lights but no crank. Can cycle key a few times and then cranks as it should. Sometimes this happens and others it doesn’t - went a fees days with no incident and now back at it. Rolled down the windows and opened the hood today and can hear a single audible click from the engine bay each time I turn the key and it does not crank. Do you think this is a starter or starter solenoid issue?

Trying to post video but app doesn’t see it. Will upload ASAP

Starter previously replaced January of 2017 at 208k miles. 340k miles now
 
 
I would still consider pulling the battery and bringing it to autozone, etc for further testing. I had an interstate battery do this after only 11 months. If I remember right it was one of the large fuses in my engine bay fuse box that made audible clicking, it was pink and maybe AHC or ABS related.
 
Dragos80 said:
It might not solve your issue but at least you can get a good idea of what might be at fault.
It is also a cheap fix in case you are having this issue.
There are several other links embedded here.

Fusible Link replaced, no CEL still difficult to start, delayed crank - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fusible-link-replaced-no-cel-still-difficult-to-start-delayed-crank.1372442/


94 delayed cranking. Starter, ignition switch, or other? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/94-delayed-cranking-starter-ignition-switch-or-other.987114/
Click to expand...
Did not get through all of them, but can see how wiring to the starter may be a possible cause. While likely lighter gauge wires, I’ve had to replace both fog light receptacles because factory wiring disconnected from them.

Question then becomes how I can personally check that since I’m not exactly sure how to access the starter.
 
TequilaMechanic said:
I would still consider pulling the battery and bringing it to autozone, etc for further testing. I had an interstate battery do this after only 11 months. If I remember right it was one of the large fuses in my engine bay fuse box that made audible clicking, it was pink and maybe AHC or ABS related.
Click to expand...
Can’t hurt to have it checked. I’ve changed out a relay - what you described as a fuse - in the past.
 
wesquire said:
Question then becomes how I can personally check that since I’m not exactly sure how to access the starter.
Click to expand...
You need to find the wire plug which vehicle specific to your model. I don't think Toyota made them the same as for the 80 series.

One end plugs into the starter, the other touches the positive from the battery. If it cranks and starts, you know what it is.

I've used that method to start my car up for about a month while waiting for other parts to arrive.


1779632070392.webp
 
Provided no loose battery connection. Sounds like starter.

Solenoid is on/part of our starter. Where you can rebuild starter/solenoid contacts & plunger. Which replacement starter, you've now have in. May not match VIN# starter, when ordering parts to rebuild. We've two different in the 100 series 98-02 & 03-07. Where either can be used, they've different parts to rebuild.

We typically just replace with remanufactured Toyota Denso (best), Denso (second best). I reset contacts in remans. Why: If rebuilder doesn't get them seated to spec, we see premature failure.
 
2001LC said:
Provided no loose battery connection. Sounds like starter.

Solenoid is on/part of our starter. Where you can rebuild starter/solenoid contacts & plunger. Which replacement starter, you've now have in. May not match VIN# starter, when ordering parts to rebuild. We've two different in the 100 series 98-02 & 03-07. Where either can be used, they've different parts to rebuild.

We typically just replace with remanufactured Toyota Denso (best), Denso (second best). I reset contacts in remans. Why: If rebuilder doesn't get them seated to spec, we see premature failure.
Click to expand...
Replacement starter was a reman Denso - not sure if Toyota specific. Regret not keeping the one I was replacing which I assume to have been original since I bought the truck when it was 4 years old and had 45k miles. Boneheaded mistake!
 
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