Starter problem on the 4runner.

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lunyou

lunyou

Joined
Oct 24, 2005
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184
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Location
Cuba, MO
My wife's 3.0 v6 4runner is having starter problems.

Now for my problem. I crawled under it today and couldn't even find the starter.

I know if I can see it I can get it changed but it couldn't even find it. Anyone have a picture of it,..............I also lost my haynes manual somewhere.

Ben
 
Passenger side of the engine. Remove the right front wheel, you might be able to reach it through there.

Step 1: DISCONNECT THE BATTERY

My preferred method to remove it is a loooong extension with a 14mm wobble socket. Take the front skidplate thingy off, have someone guide the socket to the nut while you stab it in from the front of the truck.

A stubby 14mmm gear wrench is also useful.
 
^The problem is......

When you go to start it sometimes it will start right up like nothing is wrong. Other times you get a click.....other times you get something that is inbetween. By that I mean it sounds like it wants to start but it sounds very weak and it doesn't start kinda of a..........wah-wah-wah and nothing. Yesterday it started right up so I could take it down to the concrete pad and then it started right up to bring it back up to is parking spot. Now today I might go out and it take mulitiple turns of the key to get a sound.

lunyou
 
There are a couple of things you can try before removing the starter.

First, make sure your battery connections are tight have no corrosion around the terminals. Also, take it(the battery) to have it tested.

Second, with the engine running, carefully disconnect one of the battery terminals. If it dies, you probably have a bad alternator. If it continues to run ok then your charging system is working good.

Third, get the kids out of the room because you're gonne be cussing... a lot. Starters on the 3.0 are a pain to remove. It is easiest to access it from the front passenger wheel well. One of the only things that ever fails inside a Toyota starter is the brushes or contacts in the solenoid wear out. They can be rebuilt cheaply if you can get the parts and know how to do it. Here is a link to a write up on starter rebuilding. The part numbers may not be the same as your application but the procedure should be the same. Good luck
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/boophoenix/starter.html
 
hey guys thanks for the pointers........the battery and altenator are good.

When I turn the key on the charge gauge is where it should be and then immediatly returns to the correct place when it finally starts. I just sounds like the starter isn't strong enough. It will chug and then quit. I have had a problem with the battery before but I think I have that fixed....I will check it out again though.

lunyou
 
lunyou said:
^The problem is......

When you go to start it sometimes it will start right up like nothing is wrong. Other times you get a click.....other times you get something that is inbetween. By that I mean it sounds like it wants to start but it sounds very weak and it doesn't start kinda of a..........wah-wah-wah and nothing. Yesterday it started right up so I could take it down to the concrete pad and then it started right up to bring it back up to is parking spot. Now today I might go out and it take mulitiple turns of the key to get a sound.

lunyou
Click to expand...

Your problem sounds more like battery or battery cable.
 
would the things that are controller by the battery, like the clock or my radio presets be affected by the battery having a problem??

lunyou
 
lunyou said:
would the things that are controller by the battery, like the clock or my radio presets be affected by the battery having a problem??

lunyou
Click to expand...
Those "things" are low draw. An intermittent contact, would manifest in this way you are describing.

Check all of the contacts, pos and neg, from the battery and from the starter. Probably just need to get cleaned up.
 
The only significant draw on the battery is the starter motor, unless you have a parasitic draw. Once the engine is running, the alternator charges the battery. A good alternator cannot charge the battery if the cables are bad. You can do a voltage drop test on the battery cables to see if and where you are dropping voltage.

My experience is with the starter on my 22RE. Sometimes click click click no start.
Most of the time it would start right up.
This went on for a LONG LONG time.
I replaced my contacts ($20! -- I bought two sets), after like three years of intermittent hard starts. The starter R&R on the 4cyl is :banana:.
Unlike the V-6, I reckon.
 
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