Starter Starter Relay Help - Will not start

[78f150tx]

Hi, I’m stumped and need an education from this community. I searched the forum but can’t find an answer. Initial diagnosis on my 2000 LC was a bad starter. I replaced it with a remanned Toyota starter yesterday. No change after the new part, It will not crank. I can get it to start if I remove the starter relay and use a small jumper wire to contact the 30 and 87 terminals (see diagram and photo below). I tested the original Toyota relay (71.0) and a replacement relay (169.9), and both appear to be good. The starter fuse under the dash and in the engine bay are not blown. battery is good, 12.38v. When running the alternator output is 14.0v.

What do I need to check/do next?

Thanks,

 

[GTV]

When you turn the key to the ON position do you get a check engine light?

 

[medtro]

I tested the original Toyota relay (71.0) and a replacement relay (169.9), and both appear to be good.

This is only half of the test. What you tested is the trigger part of the relay circuit. You will need to find out if power is delivered from pin 30 to pin 87. To do this, connect pin 85 to ground, pin 86 to 12V, measure the resistance between pins 30 and 87. Low resistance is good. High resistance or open circuit means the relay is bad. It could be an intermittent issue, you may want to test it multiple times.

 

[2001LC]

When AT park/neutral switch (PNS), not indicate vehicle in P or N. Engine will not crank. Sometime by shifting to N, or slamming into P it will then start. Which, indicates neutral switch is sticking or angle needs adjusting. Other times, switch needs replacing.

Lookup park/neutral switch circuit in diagnostic section of FSM. You'll find PNS signals starter relays. Relay you jumped in fuse box to start, may be clue its issue is PNS circuit.

 

[menancyandsam]

Yep, Park before you Start.
If you know you know.

 

[78f150tx]

Thanks for all of the replies, this community is great!

When I get home I’ll check the relay resistance and cycle through neutral and park. I don’t recall if there is a check engine light when in the ON position and will look for that also.

 

[78f150tx]

Yep, Park before you Start.
If you know you know.

This was the fix! Turned key, cycled car through R, N, D, and back to Park. Turned key to start and Bingo! Thank you All!