Starter Problem?

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WarDamnEagle

WarDamnEagle

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My 85 4Runner will not start with the starter. Battery is fine and it runs fine if pulled off. Unfortunately I am in England so I cannot diagnose this problem myself. I just spoke to one of my nephews and he said that when you turn the key to start you can hear one click and then nothing.

When the DOA Racing engine was installed 3 years ago, my mechanic friend decided that I obviously needed a new starter to go with my new engine so the original Toyota starter is not in the Engine (but I think I can still get my hands on it). I did not instruct him to not reuse the starter but I wasn't there at the time.

So is it just the crap aftermarket starter or is there a relay that could be bad?

If it's the starter then I will try to get the old one and get some new contacts installed and go from there. If it's a relay or something else relatively simple then that's an easier repair and I can probably get my nephew (who is a bit of a car buff) to change it out for me. My MIL drives this 4Runner around her property when I'm out of the country so I would prefer to have it drivable if possible.
 
If the starter works outside the truck but not installed, sounds like you will have to take a closer look.

You need a volt meter:
Check if you get full voltage to the starter when in the cranking position.
You will also want to know how many amps the starter is pulling.

Could be wiring or something not allowing full voltage to the starter.

Could be that the starter is week thus only turning outside the truck when there is no resistance on it from the flywheel.

It may be the best to take the starter out and to a starter/alternator repair shop...or auto store if you have a confident one in your area.
 
Thanks Mike. I should of said that I have replaced all the major wiring, (grounds, starter, etc.) with the 0 and up wire after the engine job. I have no idea if the starter works out of the truck.

I really just wanted to know if anyone knew the odds on the root cause of a "one click" and nothing else scenario?

I've done a bit of searching and it looks like there is no starter relay on an 85 4Runner. That means it's all in the contacts in the starter. Right?
 
WarDamnEagle said:
I really just wanted to know if anyone knew the odds on the root cause of a "one click" and nothing else scenario?

I've done a bit of searching and it looks like there is no starter relay on an 85 4Runner. That means it's all in the contacts in the starter. Right?
Click to expand...

So it clicked once now won't do anything?
Or
it clicks, but won't start?

A lot of times a "rebuilt" starter will not have had the contacts in the solenoid replaced.
 
raydouble said:
So it clicked once now won't do anything?
Or
it clicks, but won't start?

A lot of times a "rebuilt" starter will not have had the contacts in the solenoid replaced.
Click to expand...

Hard to say exactly since I'm not there but my understanding is it will click one time when you turn the key so I assume that it clicks one time everytime you turn the key to start.

Yes, I've read that rebuilt starters often do not have the contacts replaced (info courtesy of 4Crawlers site).

I'm leaning towards retrieving my old starter, getting the contacts replaced, and having my nephew (hopefully) install said starter over the Christmas holidays.
 
WarDamnEagle said:
Hard to say exactly since I'm not there but my understanding is it will click one time when you turn the key so I assume that it clicks one time everytime you turn the key to start.

Yes, I've read that rebuilt starters often do not have the contacts replaced (info courtesy of 4Crawlers site).

I'm leaning towards retrieving my old starter, getting the contacts replaced, and having my nephew (hopefully) install said starter over the Christmas holidays.
Click to expand...

If he has access to a multimeter have him measure the voltage going into the solenoid and then out to the starter.

starter-before.jpg


Probably about 90+% chance it's the contacts.......

Do you have a starter shop around your house?
I'd just take em' out and get them matched up.
 
raydouble said:
If he has access to a multimeter have him measure the voltage going into the solenoid and then out to the starter.



Probably about 90+% chance it's the contacts.......

Do you have a starter shop around your house?
I'd just take em' out and get them matched up.
Click to expand...

The old starter is at a starter repair shop. I will try to get this done....from 6000 miles away.

Thanks!
 
Everyone seems to list 2 different starters for this 4Runner: 1.0KW and 1.4KW. I looked through Roger Brown's site thinking with as much info as he has on there that he would say which one his 85 came with but no luck. I can't believe that they actually used two different ones on 4Runners in 1985.

Anyone know if only one was used and, if so, which one or if either will fit?
 
WarDamnEagle said:
Everyone seems to list 2 different starters for this 4Runner: 1.0KW and 1.4KW. I looked through Roger Brown's site thinking with as much info as he has on there that he would say which one his 85 came with but no luck. I can't believe that they actually used two different ones on 4Runners in 1985.

Anyone know if only one was used and, if so, which one or if either will fit?
Click to expand...

If I'm not mistaken, the 1.4Kw is the cold weather package starter, I believe it refers to the power generated by the starter.
Either should have the same fitment.
 
Last edited:
That's a great thread. Thanks. Unfortunately he did that mod on an 89 which has a starter relay on the fender. My 85 4Runner doesn't have a starter relay. The positive cable from the battery goes straight to the starter.
 
WarDamnEagle said:
That's a great thread. Thanks. Unfortunately he did that mod on an 89 which has a starter relay on the fender. My 85 4Runner doesn't have a starter relay. The positive cable from the battery goes straight to the starter.
Click to expand...

Understood, just wanted to give you the tech info on a solid fix you can easily do.

Add a relay under the hood that the ig switch turns on, that uses less current than the starter solenoid. Then you have the same as the thread discusses, IE, pulling 12v from the batt. Make sure and use fuses if you do something like that.

That will for sure fix the problem. I have done both. No more click click ever.

Let me know if you need more detail.
 
cranky steve said:
Understood, just wanted to give you the tech info on a solid fix you can easily do.

Add a relay under the hood that the ig switch turns on, that uses less current than the starter solenoid. Then you have the same as the thread discusses, IE, pulling 12v from the batt. Make sure and use fuses if you do something like that.

That will for sure fix the problem. I have done both. No more click click ever.

Let me know if you need more detail.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've thought about doing that. 4Crawler's website does a pretty good job of describing that modification. I might have to go that way.
 
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