Starting Issue - Bad starter contacts ?

[super90]

The FZJ isn't starting like normal. Turn the key, and it's like a totally dead battery; nothing. Turn again, nothing. Try a few more times; no go. Then, all of a sudden it starts right up, no problem.

A couple of other data points: this only seems to happen when it is colder outside. I have a new Optima Blue Top (less than six months old). I have a "new" Toyota factory reman alternator (three months old).

At first I thought is was the battery acting up, but seeing as how the things will suddenly turn and start without doing anything other than wait and try again a minute later, leads me to believe it could be the starter.

Thoughts?

Much appreciated,

R.

 

[GXO]

Have you checked the battery and ground wires to the starter?

Since it is wired direct I would think you have a voltage issue.

 

[roncruiser]

My rig displayed the same symptoms as yours. At times it will not start, after a waiting a few minutes or longer and trying again it cranks right up. From what I gather, its the starter contacts. They will need to be replaced. I just got my contacts and plunger from Cdan yesterday. Will be doing the work this weekend. I'll see how it goes and report back in.

 

[Beowulf]

If your problem is with the starter contacts, you should hear the characteristic "click-click" when trying to engage the starter.

If you don't hear the clicks then check your battery grounds. There have been several reports that the cables looked OK but the problem was traced to a corroded connection somewhere between the battery and the block or on the +12v side.

-B-

 

[super90]

No "click-click" heard. Just "nothing". Then, magically, she fires right up like there was never an issue.

Thanks fellas, we'll look at those cables first.

 

[threatminor]

I had the same problem

I bought new starter contacts. When I went to pull the starter, I noticed that my starter connector had been broken by previous owner and no longer snapped into place, thus it had come a little loose. I pushed it back in tight and have had no more starting problems, so you might wanna check the connection there as well.

 

[NorCalDoug]

I also had the "nothing happens when turning the key" when my starter contacts started going out.

My bet would be the contacts.

 

[brwnj60]

this seems to be a growing problem as sub zero temps come, i am going to heed beo's advice and start tracing wires

yay

 

[Cruiserhead05]

FWIW i had my starter submerged in some water a few weeks back. As the temps got colder my one yr old starter contacts began to click.

Then in true VA fashion we had some 65 degree days, no issues.

Now its cold again and she randomly wont start. Should be getting contacts here in a few days.

 

[zukatude]

My 94 recently exhibited the same starting symptoms. I replaced the contacts yesterday. Evidently the PO had the starter replaced as the one I took out was marked as a Bosch Remanufactured. Went back through the POs repair documentation and sure enough it was replaced back in 1998. Since then it has picked up 76k more miles, which in this case was enough to wear the contacts out again. Here's what they looked like:

It was not a difficult job, but I used an air ratchet to get the bolts loose. Took about 3 hours total. Definately worth it to me compared to an much more expensive swap of the entire starter.